Immersive Experience 

The main goals of immersive experience for AHS Global Scholars are for students to develop empathy for our global counterparts through unique encounters by meeting new people, practicing new languages and customs, challenging ourselves outside of our comfort zones and by embracing differences. 

My Trip to Portugal 

In April of 2023, I was fortunate enough to travel alongside my classmates and teachers to Portugal for a 10-day immersive trip. We explored alongside our EF tour guide Xana all across Portugal. We started in the North of the country in a village called Porto. This was my favorite place we went all trip, it was incredible.  Every day we would venture to new places as we worked our way down the coast of Portugal. We had one group meal each day that allowed us to try traditional Portuguese cuisine. In addition, our tour guide was from Portugal so she was able to teach us so much about the traditional Portuguese culture. By the end of the trip, I understood basic words in Portuguese such as"obrigada" or "thank you" and  "Bom dia" or " Good morning". This trip educated me on the culture and history of Portugal and was devastated when it was time to go home. 

Obrigada Portugal, for giving me memories for a lifetime. 

Highlights

Itinerary 

Day 1: 

Our first day was mostly spent traveling to Portugal but we did have a short time in Porto once we landed. We had a traditional Portuguese dinner and then got settled into our hotel. 

Day 2:

For our first full day in Portugal, we spent exploring alongside our tour guide Xana. She took us to try traditional Portuguese food for lunch and dinner and helped us get the lay of the land of Porto. 

Day 3:

This was our second and last day in Porto. We started the day with a scenic boat ride and then were given lots of free time to explore Porto in groups. We ate an amazing lunch and then finished the day back with the group at a winery to learn about the popular wine specific to Porto.  

Day 4: 

We woke up early and started the drive south to Coimbra. We explored an amazing library and chapel on the campus of Coimbra University.   Then we drove to Aveiro which has the nickname "little Venice" and did a gondola boat tour. We finished the day with some exploring and shopping in the quaint town.  

Day 5: 

This day we explored lots of churches and monestarys in Coimbra and Fatima. Then we ventured down to Obidos which reminded me a lot of Greece. To finish the day we got back on the bus and headed back up north to Nazare which is famous for its big waves. 

Day 6: 

Halfway through the trip! We drove to the nation's capital Lisbon where we briefly explored but due to the weather, our time had to be cut short. We headed to the coast to a small beach town called Caprica where we spent the night. 

Day 7:

We went on a day trip to a town called Sinatra where we toured a royal palace. we got some gelato before heading back to Lisbon to finish what we were supposed to do the day before. The group and I did some shopping and food and then headed back to Caprica for some beach volleyball.   

Day 8: 

Headed south to the cork capital of the world, Evera. While we were there we did a short tour and quick lunch here before going south to Sagres where we explored an old fortress. 

Day 9: 

The group woke up and headed to Lagros which is the very south of Portugal. We did a boat ride to Grattos right off the coast. For the rest of the day, we explored in our small groups went shopping, and got some lunch before heading back to the hotel to swim in the pool.  

Day 10: 

This was our last day in Portugal. We headed back to Lisbon and got ready for our plane ride home. We spent time talking about our favorite parts of the trip and saying goodbye to our bus driver and tour guide.