Starting this program, I’m not exactly sure what my expectations were for my internship. I guess I thought that, like many times in the U.S, I would be a grunt of sorts. I would help out where I could, stay out of the way as much as possible, and keep things cordial with my coworkers. This expectation of “staying out of the way” only grew as I learned that temporary or short term internships are not common in Portugal and as such we would have to try and compromise with our placements to participate in meaningful yet short term work. Adding onto this feeling of being a neuroscience rather than “summer help” I knew that food culture was very different and as such lunches and coffee breaks were more of a social occasion and I was terrified that my presence would make every interaction stale and awkward.
The first few days were definitely hesitant, with me interacting mostly with the other intern from the U.S who was placed at the same organization. However over time, the lunches and coffee breaks that I initially “dreaded” have become my favorite parts of my days, and something I am not looking forward to giving up. What I thought was going to be awkward exchanges were actually nice interactions that started as pleasantries and quickly morphed into pure friendship. My coworkers and I have talked about a variety of topics during our breaks ranging from cultural exchange to pets to our hobbies. Probably since the first week of my internship, when introductions were being made, I have not had a working day that did not include laughter. Incredibly, contrary to my expectation, I have been able to fit into a beautiful community that exists between my coworkers.
This is part of a bigger picture of Portugal that emphasizes this community and encourages it. People wait for one another to take lunch, even if it means we all go up super late, because part of what makes the break a “break” is taking it together. If you finish eating before others, you stay at the table till everyone is done and return to work together. After lunch, if you want a coffee, you ask the table, buy a round, and know that someone will get you coffee next time. Even though you are coworkers, you operate and function as a family therefore creating a unique little community that supports one another. Because you can build such rapport with those you work with, aid and assistance is given freely, with more people offering to help than refusing, almost entirely eliminating the “bystander effect”.
This connection and community built between people is seen through so many different facets of life here. People often take the time to interact with one another in these slowed, more personal ways in order to establish a real connection vs a peripheral one. While this may dampen the “immediate progress” or slow the pace of “hustle culture” I feel like the tradeoff is worth it. Working in Portugal and seeing the community forged here is a reminder that sometimes getting the “farthest” might not be the best if you have to get there alone.
