Student Experience

 

On-Site Orientation

All N.U.in Portugal students participate in a multi-day orientation once they arrive in Lisbon. This orientation will include pertinent info on student housing, cultural considerations, health and safety protocol, and local logistics. The mandatory on-site orientation will also include activities to help you get to know your new classmates and city before you start your academic semester.

Culture & Identity Abroad

For more identity resources and information, see our Culture & Identity Abroad section.

Transportation

Lisbon is very pedestrian-friendly.  However, Lisbon’s transport system consists of the metro, the iconic yellow trams, funiculars, buses, commuter trains and ferries. Taxis and rideshare apps are also easily available. While navigating these options may be an initial adjustment, most students learn the routes quickly. Transportation cards are available for purchase and can be used across various modes of public transport, including the metro, buses, trains, boats, and trams. Public transportation in Lisbon is generally easy to use and considered safe.

We encourage you to connect with The N.U.in Program to discuss any mobility or disability concerns.

Activities

One of the goals of The N.U.in Program is to foster and develop a strong community among its members. Students will experience one overnight excursion and multiple cultural excursions as part of the program. The host institution and N.U.in staff will plan weekly free or low-cost activities, which vary year-to-year.

In the past, students have participated in several types of activities. Examples include: Concerts at Casa da Musica, garden tours at Serralves, tours of Évora’s Romanesque cathedral and gilded Baroque altarpieces, multi-day explorations of Porto or Coimbra, and day-trips to towns like Sintra, Mafra, and Óbidos.

CIEE-Lisbon Clubs & Organizations: CIEE-Lisbon has a dedicated student life office on campus with staff that are able to help connect students with their interests by providing recommendations for involvement across the city of Lisbon.

N.U.in Program Traditions: N.U.in Traditions are popular events and activities that are held across all N.U.in sites:

• Family Group Dinners: The Student Success Coordinators will organize a “family dinner” about once a month for their family group to get students to experience the cuisine of their host city with their fellow N.U.in cohort.
• First Day of School Photos: Students will be provided with a space to reflect on the momentous first day of their academic career at Northeastern University by taking photos with Husky-themed props.
• N.U.in Husky Day: Husky Day will provide opportunities for students to connect with the campus in Boston, as well as other N.U.in students across sites by sharing in a day of Northeastern pride!
• N.U.in Thanksgiving: Students will have the opportunity to build community by celebrating a traditional American holiday with the N.U.in students at their site.
• Community Council: Each N.U.in location will have a student-led group known as Community Council or more commonly referred to by students as “Coco.” This student leadership council is charged with representing the student voice on-site and gathering programming interests for their cohort. Information on getting involved with the Community Council will be made available during your on-site orientation.