Princeton in Portugal

General Information

Lisbon rooftops
Photo by Nicola Cooney

Princeton in Portugal 2023 will be held from May 20, 2023 - June 17, 2023. Summer programs are exclusively for Princeton University students. 
 

This summer program will take place in-person and in-country, but will be subject to factors such as University travel guidelines, government travel restrictions, and public health guidance.

Entirely coordinated and designed by Princeton faculty, Princeton in Portugal is made possible thanks to a partnership with CIAL (Centro de Iniciação e Aperfeiçoamento de Línguas). CIAL has been operating since 1959, holds numerous accreditations and certifications and provides language training for ERASMUS students, the World Bank, UNICEF and multinationals, in addition to student groups from all over the world. The facilities are centrally located, easily accessible and housed in a beautifully restored building with comfortable classrooms and up-to-date technology.

Princeton in Portugal is designed for those students who wish to accelerate their learning of the Portuguese language and enhance their Princeton education by further deepening their understanding of our world. In four weeks of intensive study, in a student residence or with home-stays in families living close to the Center, a carefully selected combination of classes, lectures and excursions aims to provide both a rigorous academic environment and a transformative and unforgettable cultural experience. 

Lisbon, the oldest capital in Europe after Athens and set on seven hills along the Tejo river, is quite simply an enchanting place. It has the added benefit of being affordable and Europe’s safest capital. Stunningly beautiful, it bears the marks of its rich history and boasts a vibrant and cosmopolitan contemporary culture. Today’s Lisbon will provide the opportunity to investigate a number of topics, most significantly that of the Luso-African Diaspora. During our program we plan to look at Portugal’s histories of slavery, immigration, commerce and cultural exchange with Africa, from the age of maritime expansion to the present day, and reveal the way in which these have shaped the cultural landscape of Lisbon. Read more about the study abroad experience from past participants.

Information Session

You can access the Princeton in Portugal information session using the video embedded on this page or on Media Central.

Program specifics

  • Program Director: Prof. Nicola Cooney
  • Led by Prof. Nicola Cooney and Prof. Andréa de Castro Melloni
  • Classes are exclusively for Princeton students.
  • Class content provided or supervised by Princeton faculty.
  • Based in Lisbon.
  • Course: 
    POR 265S: Studies in Portuguese Language and Culture
    Prerequisite: POR 107, 109, 199 or a 200-level course or instructor's permission.
  • Weekly excursions.
  • Possible trip to Cape Verde- TBD.

Costs

Tuition: $3,500 for a one credit Princeton course for summer 2023 ($500 non-refundable deposit included)
Room and Board: $1,000 (student residence or apartment; no meals included)

The above listed costs will be added to the student account. There will be multiple cultural activities and excursions organized by the program, the costs of which will be covered by the program.

Estimated out-of-pocket personal and travel expenses:

  • Roundtrip airfare to Lisbon (may vary depending on point of origin): $1,000
  • Meals: $800
  • Personal expenses: $400 (laundry, local transport, toiletries, phone)
  • Visas: (not needed for US citizens and some other nationalities):  cost varies
  • Passports: cost varies
  • Optional local cultural activities: $150

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT PASSPORTS: If you have a passport, make sure your passport is current and valid six months from the date of your return. If you do not have a passport, please note that processing times can be lengthy therefore students should plan well in advance to apply for a passport or to renew their passport. Processing can be expedited for an additional $60 and can take from 5 to 7 weeks. Check this link for details on options for expediting. For more information on passports and visas, use the following links.

Program Schedule

Subject to change

  • Saturday, May 20, 2023- Students arrive in Lisbon and go to student residence.
  • Monday, May 22, 2023- Classes start.
  • Friday, June 16, 2023- Program ends.
  • Saturday June 17, 2023- Students leave student residence.

Application process

Students will apply through the Global Programs System (GPS).  Applications will open December 1, 2022 and will close on February 10, 2023 at 11:59PM (EST) .

The application consists of an application questionnaire, an essay questionnaire, and a recommendation form. Students are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline to begin the interview process early. 

If you have additional questions about the program or financial assistance, contact Patrizia D'Adamo or Karen González.