ENGLISH TRANSLATION ✌
This is the first content in the Portuguese community of OLS, aiming to expand the recognition of the Portuguese language beyond Portugal. Portuguese is spoken in 9 countries, encompassing approximately 260 million speakers (equivalent to 3.7% of the world's population), where Portugal represents only a fraction of this significant statistic.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Felipe, a 21-year-old from Atibaia, São Paulo, who has been living in Portugal for 3 years and is currently studying Psychology at the University of Porto. Let's explore some of his experiences in Portugal, highlighting the contrasting nuances of the language, as despite being the same, there are noticeable differences to be explored.
What motivated you to choose Portugal as a study destination?
The university played a significant role in my decision, to seek an experience that was not only academic. I managed to combine cultural experience and be in a place where I would have contact not only with Portuguese culture but also with other cultures. I had no doubts when I applied, also due to the existence of international agreements between Portugal and Brazil.
Did you notice differences between European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese?
Mainly in sentence construction, verb tenses, gerunds, and the use of pronouns! Regarding more significant differences, I didn't have many difficulties, but I know others who had more difficulty understanding European Portuguese. I believe that both versions of the language are very beautiful!
What kind of Portuguese or Brazilian cultural activities/events have you participated in during your mobility period?
I arrived in Portugal during the pandemic, so initially, I ended up closing myself off a bit in the "Brazilian bubble", and it was more challenging to connect with people from Portugal or other nationalities. As soon as things normalized, I immediately sought an opportunity to try to integrate more into the culture because if I committed to going to a place, I want to learn, enjoy, respect, and relate as much as possible to the local people, which is very important to me!
Could you recommend three authentic Brazilian dishes for us to try?
Brigadeiro, for sure, cheese bread, and perhaps Brazilian feijoada! Learn more about Brazilian food in the “Food Corner - Discussion Topic”
Can you share a funny story or unusual situation you have experienced in Portugal?
I had a very unusual experience that made me grow a lot as a person. Last year, I had no one to spend the festive season in December. A friend of mine from Penafiel invited me to spend the holidays with his family. I had a typical Portuguese day with my friend's entire family. I felt very embraced in such a special moment, and I am immensely grateful to have had this opportunity!
What would you like international students to know about your experience in Portugal and learning the Portuguese language?
I would say that the experience in Portugal has to be maximized! Try to make Portuguese friends, people who know details that are not obvious and can offer you a non-touristic experience of the city. Certainly, trying to learn a bit of Portuguese sometimes even sparks a conversation. Language connects people, so even if it's the most basic sentence, it makes a difference!
Do you want to know more about the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) and some interesting facts about the Portuguese language? Go to the following discussion topic and discover more about this theme! It's the ideal place if you want to ask questions or learn a bit more!
See you soon,
Juliane, OLS Community Manager - Portuguese