My Language Learning Journey is a new campaign from the Portuguese Community of OLS, which aims to let you know a little bit about the mobility experience of some international students. This time we interviewed Maria; she is a student from Erasmus+ studies and she was doing her mobility in Lisbon. Keep reading to learn more about Maria’s mobility experience and the adaptation to the Portuguese language!
Can you present and talk a little bit about yourself?
Hello, my name is Maria. I’m 20 years old. I’m from Mallorca but I study in Madrid. I'm currently enrolled in audiovisual communications here in Madrid, and I previously delved into ciências da comunicação at Universidade Nova de Lisboa in Lisbon. Aside from my studies, I'm also passionate about swimming and writing.
*Source: Picture of Maria Pelliser Mascaró, by Maria Mascar
Maria is doing an Erasmus+ Studies, what does this mean? The Erasmus+ Programme is a European funding programme established in 1987 offering university students the possibility of studying or doing an internship abroad in another country for a period of at least 2 months and a maximum of 12 months per cycle of studies.
Can you tell us where you did your mobility? How and why did you choose the place to go?
I embarked on my mobility experience in Lisbon, Portugal. Surprisingly, it wasn't my first option. Initially, I had my sights set on a place much farther from Spain, like Turkey. However, everything changed during my orientation session when my professor shared other alternative options. After this meeting, I researched and discovered all the possibilities available to me in Portugal. I never thought of Portugal at first, and I had never been to Lisbon before. In the end, it was the best option, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision.
What language did you study and why is it important for you to learn languages? How was your experience getting used to the language?
For me, initially, it was important because all of my classes were in Portuguese. So, it's not that they required a high language level, but they recommended knowing at least A2 or B1 (the basics). I wanted to go there well-prepared, so it was important to me to learn the language. I realized that I have a passion for learning new languages and wanted to learn and practice more. During my summer break, I took on various jobs, including working in a jewellery store. There, I had the opportunity to interact with many Portuguese and Brazilian clients. This was a plus because it allowed me to practice my Portuguese and improve my language skills.
*Source: Maria Mascaró
LANGUAGE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
How was your experience getting used to the language? What was the language you used on a daily basis?
Before my mobility, I did some courses (A1) to be prepared and to know the basics. I believe I learned more by going to classes, listening to the professors, and talking with local people. Right now, I have an A2 level in the Portuguese language and I’m trying to achieve B1. In order to learn more, I had conversations with my classmates. I also did some trips around Portugal and the Islands which allowed me to interact with locals. Currently, I'm reading some books in Portuguese, like "O Alquimista" by Paulo Coelho. In my day-to-day life, I used to communicate mostly in English, however, whenever the chance arose to practice Portuguese, I always jumped at it!
Did OLS help you to improve your language level? What do you think about the platform, do you think it is useful, do you advise Erasmus students to use the community?
Yes, I did the placement test and I also subscribed to the forums to discuss other things, more cultural subjects, cities, living abroad, etc. I think the platform it's super useful for beginner level and to know Portuguese in a more digital way. I'd love it if searching for things on OLS could be more intuitive.
What advice would you give to someone who is starting to learn a new language?
I would say, make friends with locals, and try to learn in different ways, like watching movies, going to the cinema, and reading books. I also changed the language of my phone to practice every day and to understand the difference between Spanish and Portuguese. It was interesting to compare words between Spanish and Portuguese. For example, now every time I want to delete a photo, I automatically see the words “apagar” and I know that it’s the translation to delete.
MOBILITY EXPERIENCE
How was your mobility experience?
One of the things I really liked about my mobility experience was the people in Portugal. They were very friendly, and always willing to help. Another thing that surprised me was how many tuk-tuks there were in the center of Lisbon. It was interesting to see tourists enjoying the city in tuk-tuks. I also enjoyed the city's layout, and, of course, I loved the food and the beaches. Regarding the weather, I can't say I didn't like it, but it was unpredictable. Mornings were cold, and then the sun would come out in the afternoon. I was also surprised by the nightlife in the streets, where it was easy to meet other international students and locals.
In my opinion, the most difficult part of my mobility program was dealing with all the procedures to go on Erasmus. Surprisingly, when I arrived in Lisbon, my university was super helpful and guided me a lot in the beginning. The classes were not very formal, and for me, that was a really effective way to learn, through conversations, opinions from students, and a more chill environment. Regarding accommodation, it was difficult to find, and I heard many stories about scams. At the time, I preferred to live in a residence, and I was really happy to discover that Lisbon had a lot of residency options, considering that the city is not that big.
What places or experiences would you recommend?
Sunsets at Miradouros;
I loved the view from Castelo de São Jorge;
Go to a park and have a picnic with your friends or read a book. I totally recommend Parque Eduardo VII and Fundação Gulbenkian;
Go to the beach, like Costa da Caparica, Praia da ursa or Algarve.
*Source: Maria Mascaró
Any advice you would like to give to someone preparing to go on mobility? What do you think are the main challenges?
I don't think you have to be overly prepared. Sometimes we assume we'll be alone, but that's not true! You'll meet a lot of people and make friends for life. My advice would be not to stick with the first group you meet and try to explore other groups and meet people from outside your country's bubble. I would also recommend trying to join groups. For example, I love swimming, so I joined a swimming pool in Portugal, where you'll find people who share your interests. Sometimes it's easier to have friends who speak the same language or come from the same country, but the fun part is meeting people outside your comfort zone. So, be open, and connect with people from everywhere!
I can also advise you to buy an umbrella as soon as possible, as the weather in Lisbon can be quite unpredictable. Also, consider bringing a large suitcase, but pack only the essentials. This is because you'll probably accumulate many souvenirs during your Erasmus that you'll want to take back to your home, and you'll need extra space in your suitcase!
How did the mobility/volunteering/internship help you to grow?
Well, it helped me grow personally because you have a lot of experiences in a short time. Sometimes it can be stressful, but you learn how to manage your personal, academic, and social life. Professionally, I felt that I gained a lot of good influences from others because I met people who were doing internships or master's degrees. You see them achieving some goals, and you can learn from their experiences and feel inspired by them!
Would you like to do an interview for the Portuguese OLS community and share about your mobility experience in Portugal and language learning path?
Click here and let me know if you would like to participate!
I would like to thank Maria for her time and amazing chat! Muito Obrigada :)
See you,