obrigada, Portugal

This past winter, I picked up my bags from where I’d stashed them at a friend’s house in Faro, said my goodbyes to Portugal (and see-you-laters to my friends!), and, after six incredible weeks of traveling around Europe, boarded a flight to Belgium to start my second semester.

Looking back, I feel so lucky to have had the chance to live in Portugal. It was an experience that came at exactly the right time—a moment in my life when I needed a change in scenery the most. And what a beautiful change it was.

Of course, it was the people who made my time in Portugal truly unforgettable. In just four short months, I made friendships I hope will last a lifetime—memories of weekend trips to Lisbon for concerts and exploring the city, to Porto, where we drank port wine and watched the sun set over the river, to Sintra, where we wandered through gardens and castles straight out of a fairy tale, and of a Friendsgiving dinner with all 22 of my classmates, sharing dishes from around the world. From beach parties and study dates to gathering around a steaming cataplana with vinho verde in hand, these moments transformed Portugal into a home away from home.

Then there was the girls’ trip to Madeira—the island of eternal spring. Our days were filled with double rainbows, roadside waterfalls appearing out of nowhere, ocean swims, and drinking homemade poncha in the rain. Waking up at 5 a.m. to watch the sunrise in the mountains, standing above the clouds as the sky shifted from deep blue to pink and orange—it was pure magic and made me fall even more in love with this part of the world.

To the friends who flew across the world to visit me, thank you for blending my new experiences with familiar faces, for sharing in the joy of discovering this place alongside me, and for making Portugal feel even more like home. From long-awaited reunions to spontaneous adventures, every moment together made this time even more special.

There were so many moments I haven't had the time to write about, so consider this a visual recap of some of my favorite travels and memories from my time here.

📍 Sintra

📍 Lisbon

📍 Lagos

📍 Porto

📍 Madeira

📍 Faro

📍 Estoy