Exploring Business, Culture, and Community: FSB Students Journey Through Portugal
Over Spring Break 2025, nineteen students from 国产剧麻豆剧鈥檚 Fermanian School of Business embarked on a memorable study abroad trip to Portugal. What began as a ten-day excursion quickly turned into an unforgettable journey, rich with cultural immersion, historical exploration, and eye-opening conversations with local business leaders and entrepreneurs.
From the cobblestone streets of Tomar to the Atlantic breeze at Comporta Beach, each day offered a new lens through which students deepened their understanding of international business and the global community. Alongside these academic and professional insights were moments of connection鈥攃elebrating a birthday with faculty, sharing meals with locals, and building friendships across cultures.
Below, our student writers reflect on their experiences, highlighting the sights, stories, and surprises that shaped this incredible trip.
Saturday, March 8th - Monday, March 10th: Tojal, Tomar, and Alcacer Do Sal: Written by Avery Hsu, student participant
Over spring break, our International Business group took an unforgettable trip to Portugal, diving into its culture, history, and food. We landed in Lisbon on March 21, 2025, and spent our first night in the quaint village of Santo Ant茫o do Tojal. Excited to kick things off, we headed to S茫o Jo茫o das Lampas for lunch, getting to know each other better and building a sense of community. After that, we explored the beautiful Queluz National Palace, wandering through its perfectly manicured gardens and admiring the ornate 18th-century architecture. Back at our Airbnb, we enjoyed a relaxing evening with friends from the Portugal team. The highlight of the night was celebrating Dean Hess' birthday with an enthusiastic sing-along and lots of laughter.
The next day, we set off for Con铆mbriga, one of the most well-preserved Roman archaeological sites in Portugal. Walking through ancient mosaics and ruins was like stepping back in time, and the peaceful countryside views made it even more special. From there, we visited the Par贸quia de Santa Maria dos Olivais in Tomar. A local guide shared stories about the region's rich history, adding depth to our experience. Afterward, we explored Tomar's charming cobblestone streets and sampled traditional Portuguese treats. I fell in love with pastel de nata, a creamy custard tart, and paired it with a bica cheia鈥攁 strong Portuguese espresso. For dinner, we enjoyed an amazing steak meal along the Nab茫o River, ending with some indulgent desserts that perfectly highlighted Portugal's love for sweets.
On day three, we visited the stunning Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site perched on a hill. The Gothic cloisters, intricate Manueline details, and historic tilework were breathtaking. After a laid-back lunch in town, we toured the Mosteiro da Batalha, a magnificent Dominican monastery. Later, we spent some time shopping for souvenirs at local artisan shops. Our day wrapped up as we arrived in Alc谩cer do Sal for a cozy three-night stay. The small town's relaxed atmosphere was a welcome change, and we enjoyed dinner at Sal no Rio, a charming riverside restaurant. It was especially meaningful to chat with local business owners and learn about their entrepreneurial journeys鈥攁 valuable perspective for us as business students.
Tuesday, March 11-Thursday, March 13: Alcacer Do Sal: Written by Ximmenia Martinez, student participant
Tuesday, March 11: Coworking space, Mansion plans, Comporta Beach, Portuguese School, Charcuterie Dinner.
We began the day bright and early on March 11th by taking a tour of the coworking space in Alcacer Do Sal. We were able to learn about the importance of these spaces in Portugal, where being around individuals who are also working on different ventures allows for inspiration and motivation. We then visited what they call 鈥渢he Mansion鈥�, and we were able to hear about the future plans they had for this space. From there, we took a stroll around Comporta Beach and were able to enjoy espressos, smoothies, and chai tea lattes at the cafe nearby. After this, we visited a high school for a traditional Portuguese lunch made by the students, where we were able to network with the staff and students of the school. Three of our 国产剧麻豆剧 students鈥揂ngelina Gomes, Andrew Speakman, and Faith Freeburg鈥搘ere able to share about what life was like at 国产剧麻豆剧. We were also able to hear from Portuguese students about their day-to-day life and their hobbies. Lastly, we ended the night off with a charcuterie dinner at the Mansion, where we were able to hear about a beautiful picture book created by the people of Alcacer Do Sal and Friends of Portugal.
Wednesday, March 12: Archeology Museum, Mansion Archeology Lecture, Real Estate Development Site.
On Wednesday, March 12th, we began the day with a tour of an archeology museum led by an amazing archeologist. We then headed to the mansion for a more in-depth lecture, also led by an archeologist, on certain pieces and archeological digs that they had the opportunity to lead. Lastly, we visited a Real Estate Development site that is well-known for its size and sustainability efforts.
Thursday, March 13: Oyster Farm
Our last Friends of Portugal led excursion was to an Oyster farm, where we drove through long, bumpy dirt roads just to get to the treasure! Stephanie, the owner of all the land, was able to give us a tour of the entire site. We were able to see a few of their 80 horses, farm dogs, and cats, and set out to find their wild pigs. We then had lunch at the heart of the farm, where we were given fresh oysters from the oyster farm to try! Afterwards, we went to find the long road of potato farms, and we were able to view the cork farm. Portugal is famous for their cork, and Stephanie was able to explain to us the long, tedious process of cork production and how it has changed throughout the years as technology has advanced.
Friday, March 14th: Lisbon: Written by multiple authors
All of the students spent their last day in Portugal with free time in Lisbon. Some chose to shop and eat at the LX Factory, while others chose to look at the amazing monuments all around. We three Point Loma journalists took the liberty of doing both! We enjoyed the waterfront views of Lisbon and admired all the scenic beauty Lisbon has to offer.
Looking Ahead
As the students returned to campus, they brought back more than just souvenirs and snapshots鈥攖hey carried with them fresh global perspectives, a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity, and a renewed passion for the possibilities within international business. The Portugal study abroad experience not only broadened their academic horizons but also reinforced the Fermanian School of Business鈥檚 commitment to preparing students for leadership in a global economy. Whether through future travel, cross-cultural collaboration, or entrepreneurial ventures, these students are ready to lead with purpose, equipped with the knowledge, empathy, and curiosity sparked during one unforgettable week in Portugal.