Submitted by Hayeon Park on the 2020 winter session program in Portugal sponsored by the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and College of Arts and Sciences…
“Another day, another hour” has been the motto of this study abroad. Despite spending 25 long hours at the hospital each week, two weeks have flown by. In just 14 days, I’ve managed to spend all my euros. Another day, another lost dollar.
Despite being broke, I have no regrets. From my daily commute to the Santa Maria Hospital to weekend excursions to neighboring cities, I can’t help, but fall in love with this country a little more each day. While America is beautiful in its own simplistic and modern beauty, Portugal’s vibrant colors and history fascinate me.
This past weekend, I ventured north to the wine capital of Portugal, Porto. While I went a little crazy by signing up for a four-hour wine tour, I will never forget this beautiful city. The Douro River was packed with various ships, people, and food. By crossing the D. Luiz Bridge, I was able to get catch the city in its entirety. My eyes will never be the same.
While I am slowly growing accustomed to European living, the endless beauty of Portugal continues to captivate me.