Universidade Católica Portuguesa welcomed exchange students of various nationalities for yet another edition of Welcome Week. During their first few days at the University, the new international students had the opportunity to explore the campus and the city, meet other students from different backgrounds, and discover some of the most iconic aspects of Porto’s culture and identity.
Alongside team-building activities and social events, the programme included a boat trip past the six bridges of the Douro, a visit to the Calém Port Wine Cellars, a surfing lesson at the Onda Pura Surf Centre on Matosinhos Beach, and a Welcome Cocktail featuring a performance by the Tuna of the Portuguese Catholic University – Porto. The initiative also involved IL@C – International Life at Católica, a student association that guides and supports the integration of international students throughout their time at the University.
Paula Gillessen, an Economics student at WU Vienna, sees this semester at Católica in Porto as an opportunity to “experience a different culture and step out of her comfort zone, meet new people and live by the sea”. Among the international group, there is a shared expectation of socialising with students from different countries and discovering Porto and other regions of Portugal. For some, this experience also represents an opportunity to explore new academic and personal challenges, such as “studying Law in English – for the first time”, “deepening their knowledge in different subjects” or “taking the chance to learn Portuguese”. “Everyone has been so welcoming! After the welcome activities, I’m even more excited about the semester ahead!”, concludes Paula.
Welcome Week took place between 2 and 4 September, marking the start of a new chapter for exchange students at Católica in Porto. These are their first steps at a new university and in a new city, and an important moment for welcoming them and helping them integrate into an academic community that is enriched by students from different countries and backgrounds.
