One of my ultimate goals of the program was to learn basic, conversational Portuguese. I partially achieved this goal within the timeframe of my study abroad program. While I did not become conversational, I successfully mastered basic daily greetings (such as “Olá,” “Bom dia,” and “Obrigada”) and learned how to confidently order food and drinks at local cafés and restaurants. What helped me find success in these specific areas was real-world immersion and repetition. Practicing small interactions, like ordering a coffee or asking for the check, helped me gain confidence in speaking the language.

Since Lisbon is a highly international city, many locals instantly switched to English the moment I hesitated. If I were to change my approach, I would rely less on language apps and instead establish a rule with local acquaintances to speak only Portuguese for the first few minutes of our conversations.

Achieving basic functional Portuguese had a positive impact on my daily life in Lisbon. Even though my vocabulary was limited, being able to greet a barista or order lunch in the local language changed how I was received. It transformed routine tasks into moments of connection and made me feel far less like a passive tourist and more like an active participant in the local culture. Stepping out of my comfort zone to try speaking the language built my confidence, which extended into how I navigated the city as a whole.

My biggest takeaway from this goal is that partial success is still meaningful success when it comes to language learning. I realized that perfection is not required for connection; locals deeply appreciated the effort itself. Cultural immersion requires vulnerability and the chance to make mistakes; you have to be willing to sound silly to make progress. Moving forward, I will carry this learning with me by being less afraid to try new skills publicly, knowing that genuine effort is usually met with patience and warmth.