Since my return home from Portugal, I have had some time to reflect on my experiences this summer. My time in Lisbon not only provided me with valuable insights and lessons for my academic and professional career, but also helped me understand how to better enjoy life.

While I learned countless things working in my internship for the Direção-Geral da Economia, I have narrowed it down to three main takeaways. First, it reminded me of my love for reading and learning about things that interest me. In today’s world, reading is far less popular than it was a few decades ago. It’s so easy to come home after a long day and turn on the TV or start scrolling on reels. Not to mention that the dense, boring text book readings often assigned by professors aren’t exactly enticing. So, when I had to spend much of my time at my internship reading about economic policies (a topic I actually enjoy), I was pleasantly surprised to find that I really enjoyed it and I could focus for hours on end. Now that I’m back home, I plan to keep this going; instead of picking up my phone or the remote when I get home from classes, I will pick up a book or read an interesting article on line.

Secondly, I was reminded of the importance of quality friendships. At work, I was lucky to be surrounded by plenty of kind, outgoing and funny colleagues. I was shy coming in, of course. I didn’t speak their language, I was far younger than most of my coworkers, and they all knew each other; I was an outsider. It would have been easy (and I was certainly tempted), to just go to my desk, do the work assigned to me, and avoid the awkward conversations and interactions that come with being the new intern. But I knew that I should try to build meaningful relationships with them, and so I pushed myself to be outgoing. Looking back, that was the best decision I could have made. My time in Portugal was so much more enjoyable and memorable because of it, and I am happy to say that I am still in touch with many of my former coworkers! This is important for me to remember as I start my Junior year at Pitt. Between all my classes, homework, club football, the gym, etc., it can be very easy to withdraw and spend less time with friends. But, as I was reminded in Portugal, everything is so much better and more enjoyable when you are surrounded by good friends. Keeping this in my mind will help encourage me to be social even when I don’t feel like it.

Finally, my time in Portugal really got me thinking about where I see myself in the future. I am currently studying Economics and Psychology and plan to attend law school once I graduate from Pitt. My summer abroad not only gave me a glance of what it could be like working in the field of economics but also showed me what it could be like living and having a career in a different country. I can’t say that my plans have changed, but I do think my experience certainly opened my mind a bit to the possibility that I can do more than just go straight to law school in the U.S. and then start working; maybe there’s more places I would want to live in, other fields I would prefer working in, etc. I credit my time in Portugal with allowing me to be more mindful as I plan my future, not just going through the motions and ultimately ending up somewhere I don’t really want to be.

To any Frederick Honors College Students who may be reading this, I highly recommend that you go on this program. Aside from Portugal’s amazing people, food, and beautiful landscapes, and aside from the high quality professional internships, this program will make you a more mature, independent person ready for whatever life throws your way.