lisbon.jpg
Lisbon, Portugal

Portuguese Language & Culture

Summer '25 New Program!

Language & Culture

Dates

-

4 weeks

Costs

$6,650

Application Deadline

Request Information

Dates

-

4 weeks

Costs

$6,650

Application Deadline

Request Information

Overview
Reach new heights in your Portuguese journey in Lisbon, the City of Seven Hills. 

Experience four weeks of language immersion in Lisbon and watch your Portuguese flourish. After language classes, converse in Portuguese with lisboetas and get a taste of what Portugal’s capital city has to offer. Stroll past pastel-colored buildings with azulejo tiles, hop on the city’s iconic yellow trams, and admire majestic medieval castles, like Castelo de São Jorge. Take in sweeping panoramic views from one of Lisbon’s many miradouros (hilltop viewpoints) and feast on bacalhau (cod) croquettes and ±è²¹²õ³Ùé¾±²õ de nata (custard tarts) at local markets with your new friends. 

Grow your vocabulary over energizing conversations and share traditional Portuguese meals with your host family. Discover other parts of Portugal, too, on excursions to cities like Tomar, known as a stronghold for the Knights Templar, one of history’s most notable military forces, and Setúbal, an ocean-side getaway famous for dolphin watching. In and out of Lisbon, you’ll be steeped in Portuguese culture while gaining a deeper appreciation for one of the most beautiful and widely-spoken languages in the world.

The Take-Aways

Language Growth and Cultural Competence

Come home with a higher level of Portuguese and a greater understanding of Portuguese culture. Use your STAMP 4S language proficiency pre- and post-test scores to demonstrate your language growth and help you earn a Seal of Biliteracy. 

College Credits

Choose to earn 4 college credits toward your future college degree. Take advantage of the credits to stand out on your college applications or to satisfy college language requirements.

Lifelong Skills and Friendships

Return with greater self-confidence, independence, and adaptability. Enjoy a broader worldview and diverse friendships from across the U.S. 

60

Hours Of Instruction With A Native Portuguese Teacher

4

College Credits

1

Life-changing Experience

Destination
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The Destination

Welcome to Lisbon, where the streets are alive with music, history, and cultural diversity. 

Along the Tagus River and Atlantic Ocean, you’re always just a few steps away from the water in Lisbon. With its more than 300 days of sunshine a year, this coastal destination has long been popular with international students and immigrants—creating a diverse, cosmopolitan, and continually-evolving city. Home to about half a million people, Lisbon boasts a blend of big-city amenities and small-town charm, making it easy to form meaningful connections and explore freely.

As Western Europe’s second oldest capital, founded more than 3000 years ago, it’s surrounded by history you can’t experience elsewhere. The soul of Lisbon lies in its historic neighborhoods like Belém and Alfama, lined with colorful buildings and architectural styles that span the ages. Vintage trams travel up and down the city’s cobblestoned hills, offering exceptional views of the old town and ocean and access to top landmarks, like Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and St. George’s Castle. After sunset, keep your ears open for the bluesy tunes of Fado music streaming out of clubs, telling heartfelt stories of human life. 

Cultural Awareness

ºÚÁÏÍø911wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local ºÚÁÏÍø911staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Lisbon. 

Itinerary

Daily Life

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Each day offers a balance between interactive instruction and cultural activities with time on your own, too. Morning classes and afternoon activities may swap places.  

  • Breakfast at your homestay  
  • Engaging Portuguese classes with expert language instructors, all native-speakers   
  • Lunch at your homestay 
  • Out and about for authentic conversations in the community and a cultural activity   
  • Dinner and evening discussions at your homestay  

Weekends

  • Overnight or day excursions to top sites  
  • Quality time with friends and your host family 

Housing

Carefully-screened homestay

24/7 Support

1 Program Leader for every 12 students and support from local staff

Activities

Sample Activities

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Just imagine all the fun you’ll have!

  • Shred some waves in Europe’s surf capital while taking surf lessons with a seasoned coach. 
  • Grab a brush and use vibrant colors to paint your own tiles. Discover why azulejos are an integral part of Lisbon’s architectural landscape. 
  • Put your culinary skills to the test as you cook caldeirada de peixe (fish stew) alongside a skilled Portuguese chef. Recreate the delicious dish back home! 
  • Take a sneak peek behind the scenes of Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP), the public broadcasting station of Portugal. Immerse yourself in the world of Portuguese journalism! 
  • Stomp your feet and catch the rhythm of regional Portuguese dances during a traditional »å²¹²Ôç²¹ (dancing) workshop. 
  • Immerse yourself in ocean life at the Lisbon Oceanarium, recognized as one of the best aquariums in the world, with its more than 8,000 animals and 500 plant species! 

Please note activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.

Testimonials
From CIEE

So Long, Lisbon

By Katie Fennessey at CIEE

Saying goodbye to our Lisbon.

From CIEE

Our last days

By Julianne O'Connell at CIEE

It is hard to describe what these last few days have felt like for our student. In one sense it feels like we have been here forever— our group is... keep reading

From CIEE

Tomar, Portugal - Portal to the Past

By JOrdan Okoniewski at CIEE

“Everyone put down your things, we have to leave NOW!!!†Chaos. Then the sound of 70 some people- the majority teenagers- running out of a luxury hotel lobby as quickly as possible...

Eligibility

Eligibility

  • Participants must be 14 years old and above. 
  • Program open to current high school students—Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors—of all Portuguese language proficiency levels. Students must have completed Freshman year of high school before traveling on program. 
  • For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our ²õ³¦³ó´Ç±ô²¹°ù²õ³ó¾±±è p²¹²µ±ð

For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

Application Fee

$25

Optional College Credit Fee

$150

Learn more about how to get college credit for your future college degree.

Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.

More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations, or contact us!

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs

Program Summer Session I 2025 4 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $6,650
Program Summer Session II 2025 4 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $6,650

Program Fees

ºÚÁÏÍø911offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and ºÚÁÏÍø911iNext travel protection with benefits.

Program Balance = $6,650

Total Fees = $6,650

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Financial Aid

ºÚÁÏÍø911offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Program Fees

ºÚÁÏÍø911offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and ºÚÁÏÍø911iNext travel protection with benefits.

Program Balance = $6,650

Total Fees = $6,650

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Financial Aid

ºÚÁÏÍø911offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Ready to change your life?

What's Included

Interactive Classes

Housing

3 Meals/Day

(Dietary Needs Accommodated)

All Ground Transportation

(Once In-country)

Optional Flight Chaperone

(Flight Cost Not Included)

Pre-departure Advice and Orientation

Access to WIFI

(No international data plan or SIM card included)

All Cultural Activities and Excursions

Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection

24/7 Emergency On-site Support

Staff

Our Staff

Joana Almeida

Center Director

Joana has been working with ºÚÁÏÍø911Lisbon since 2011. She holds a B.A. in Art History, an M.A. in Social Sciences, and a Ph.D. in Historical Sociology.

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