I’ve never met anyone from Russia before, so it’s exciting to meet classmates from a different part of the world. This activity is especially fun because it mixes learning, casual conversation, and hanging out with friends.
On the metro ride home, I met some young Romanian students who were in Lisbon for a school program. Running into people from other countries shows just how diverse Lisbon is, and it adds to the fun of exploring and meeting new people.
I visited the local library and looked at a Portuguese art history book. In class, I read worksheets about daily life and travel. I also bought some classic Portuguese books that I want to start reading soon. Reading helps me notice words I hear around the city, which makes learning feel more real.
I didn’t play any sports this week, since I’ve been focusing on classes and settling into my routine. However, I noticed that students on campus are very active. This week, as the school day was coming to an end, some of my classmates and I saw about ten students singing, stomping, and dancing together in a courtyard to the song “We Will Rock You,” in Portuguese. It was lively and felt like a kind of game or group activity.
Basketball is also played here (my classmate plays on the weekends), and of course, football (soccer) is very popular in Portugal. As I get more comfortable with my schedule, I’m hoping to join in some of these activities and be more involved.
