I can’t believe that my study abroad program in Portugal has less than 2 weeks left. Although I wish I had more time here to explore and visit other parts of the country, one of the most important things that I will miss and the driving factor for my decision to study in Portugal will be my internship at CPR, the Portuguese Council for Refugees (Conselho Português para os Refugiados). Reflecting on the past 2 months with CPR, not only was this a highly educational opportunity for me, because I want to pursue a career in immigration law and I’m interested in EU migration policy, I also got to learn a lot about Portuguese culture this way because my internship is how I got most interaction with Portuguese locals. 

Although it was a struggle to adapt sometimes to the work environment in Portugal, I feel like I have taken away a lot from it and have enjoyed comparing and analyzing the differences. Before departing to Portugal, I was told that workplaces often take longer lunch breaks than in the U.S. and value socializing at a different level. However, experiencing this first-hand made me realize the stark differences. In jobs that I have worked in the U.S., sometimes you only have 15-30 minutes to eat, and people usually eat alone or in their car. It was wholesome to see how close everyone was to their coworkers and how socializing with one another was encouraged. I was surprised to see how detached from work people became during their breaks; even conversationally, work is not brought up in the break room. During the first week of my internship, this was extremely difficult for me because I feel like I’m always thinking about school or work and never fully take a break from them. What also made this difficult for me was that lunch breaks sometimes lasted almost 2 hours, and all I could think about were the tasks that my supervisors left for me. Over time, I also learned the importance of allowing yourself to rest and enjoy the people around you. Everyone deserves a break, and it should not always result in guilt if you are enjoying the people around you and pulling away from work. Though this was hard to learn, I realize now that I am still able to be productive in my work and studies without depriving myself of breaks and burning out so quickly.

Besides the overall culture of the work environment that I engage with, my role and responsibilities have transformed my understanding of immigration policy and reinforced my passion to work in this field. In the spring semester, I took classes focused on EU migration, transatlantic relations, and policymaking within EU institutions. Now, I have seen first-hand the struggles of tightening migration policy under the New Pact for Migration and Asylum. Portugal is now receiving drastically fewer asylum applicants than in previous years, and minimum standards for dignified living are not offered for many refugees. Funding has also been another concern for NGOs like CPR, who rely mainly on government finances and Social Security. It has been difficult to hear of the struggles that asylum-seekers have faced in Portugal, many of whom are being exploited in the workplace or facing extended periods of waiting time for documentation. Despite those factors that NGOs cannot control, I find the work here that personalizes integration programs and helps clients become accustomed to Portugal truly invaluable. It is important, now more than ever, to keep these organizations operating so that the volatile conditions for migrants in the EU do not worsen, and so that there is a place of comfort and connection for those starting their journey in becoming autonomous in Portugal.