I decided to take a study abroad year because I love travelling, learning languages and experiencing different cultures. Immersing myself in a new environment felt like the best way to learn, and I wanted to see how teaching styles and subject options differed internationally. While placements are incredibly valuable, studying abroad felt like a unique opportunity I might not get again.
I chose Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics because I’d always wanted to explore Lisbon. The idea of living somewhere sunny, warm and close to the sea was appealing, and the university itself was highly regarded. The courses offered (including Sports Economics, Fashion and Sustainability, and Introduction to Python), were different to those at Loughborough and subjects I otherwise wouldn’t have studied. The small, interactive classes often involved presentations and group discussions, which made it easy to engage.
Studying internationally taught me a huge amount. I built a network of friends from around the world, gained confidence through regular presentations, and developed strong organisational, communication and time‑management skills through frequent group projects. The study abroad community was very sociable, which made it easy to meet people from different cultures.