DAY 1: February 24, 2024
Passport? Check. A bit of spending money? Check. Excited for the most incredible break week ever? Triple check! Make your way to Toronto Pearson International Airport to meet up with your fellow travel mates to check in for your direct flight to Lisbon, Portugal! Get comfy, enjoy the flight, and try to catch a few winks as the excitement begins upon landing!
DAY 2: February 25, 2024
Check-in to your hotel in Lisbon and enjoy brunch and an orientation followed by a walking tour of the city and a free evening to explore!
DAY 3: February 26, 2024
Olive Oil Farm Visit: While Portugal’s neighbor Spain takes the prize for being the largest olive oil exporter, Portugal managed an impressive $604 million in pure olive oil exports in 2019. Visit an olive oil farm to hear more about the national production and exports, and even sample some delicious olive oil!
In the afternoon, you’ll head to Jeronimos Monastery: This former monastery and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Belém, Lisbon, is the final resting place of explorer Vasco da Gama. One of the most visited places in Lisbon, the monastery includes a one-of-a-kind church with unique architecture, and stunning cloisters in the Manueline style.
DAY 4: February 27, 2024
Startups in Portugal: Towards the end of 2021 the Portuguese government made a move to even further expand Portugal’s already dynamic startup ecosystem by announcing another €250 million in support for local startups. Meet with a company at the forward edge of Portuguese startup wave in order to learn more. Options include: Startup Portugal, ANJE, IAPMEI, among others.
After some free time for lunch, experience innovation in Portugal: For the past 5 years Portugal has been considered the 4th most innovative country in Europe. Meet with one of the country’s leading innovative companies and learn what they are doing to make an impact.
- Included:
- Attire: Business Casual
DAY 5: February 28, 2024
Today we learn about sporting in Portugal: Football – or soccer, as we know it – is a staple in Portuguese culture. SCP is one
of the country’s top clubs, so this is a can’t-miss visit during your time in Portugal. Visit the stadium and learn more about this iconic club and sports marketing in Portugal!
Next, we explore the pharmaceutical MedTech industry: The need for advanced and accessible medical solutions has become even more pressing and evident with the arrival of the pandemic. Meet with one of the MedTech companies with operations in
Portugal to learn more about what they do and the impact they have.
- Included:
- Attire: Business Casual
DAY 6: February 29, 2024
Visit the Hotel Association of Portugal: Associação de Hotelaria de Portugal is the largest hotel association in Portugal, with about 700 members which, between independent units and large chains, represent more than two-thirds of the hotel contribution to the national
economy. It is a private, non-profit association with centenary roots, recognized as a Public Utility Institution in 2013. As an employer’s association, AHP focuses its efforts on creating the best business conditions for hotel activity in Portugal.
Next up, the Institute of Communication and Media of Lisbon! The ICML is a private research center, recognized nationally and
internationally as a leader in the communication domain. Learn more about the ICML’s approach to communication and politics,
advertising and marketing, strategic communication and PR, journalism, media, and digital culture.
Free Time To Explore
Optional: Fado Music Tour
- Included:
- Attire: Business Casual
DAY 7: March 1, 2024
Enjoy a Market Tour and Cooking Class! Buy fresh ingredients direct from one of Lisbon’s colorful, bustling markets bursting with fresh
vegetables and a variety of fresh fish and shellfish. Next, learn to cook several delicious and traditional Portuguese dishes in
an engaging cooking class, and enjoy your creation for lunch!
Next, we visit the Museu do Azulejo: Located in the Madre de Deus Convent, Portugal’s national tile museum was founded in 1509. Its extensive collections offer a journey through the history of tile, from 15th century to the present day.
DAY 8: March 2, 2024
Today we take a day trip to Sintra! Sintra is a beautiful destination right outside of Lisbon that looks like it came straight out of a
fairytale. It’s so lovely, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend the day exploring this can’t-miss destination and visit the National Palace in Sintra.
After lunch, visit the Casal Santa Maria Winery: The production of wine is vastly important to Portugal and known worldwide for the wine that comes from its homegrown vines. Visit a local vineyard and learn more about the country’s wine industry and the vineyard’s
operations. After a few wine tastings, we will gather for a final farewell dinner to conclude our adventures in Portugal!
- Included:
- Breakfast
- Farewell Dinner
DAY 9: March 3, 2024
It’s an early wake up call this morning as we pack up our suitcases and hopefully a couple of amazing souvenirs and head back to the airport for the journey to Toronto. We hope you had an incredible week and leave feeling inspired and already planning your return adventure. Adeus Lisboa! Till next time.
Selection Process: International Field Studies participation will be prioritized for students who have not yet experienced a Be World Ready IFS since beginning their studies at Niagara College. Participants will be confirmed by Be World Ready based on not having participated in a BWR experience before, being in good academic standing now and before the departure of the IFS, being actively enrolled in a program at Niagara College during the term of travel, and confirmation that you understand and agree to your enrollment in the general or liberal elective course requirements to participate.
NEW Payment Process: Students will not be able to make payment until after Be World Ready has reviewed their application and confirmed eligibility. You will receive a link by email from [email protected] with instructions on submitting payment once your eligibility has been confirmed.
Disclaimers: Be World Ready does their best to execute the itinerary as outlined above, however all elements are subject to change based on availability or requirement to adapt due to circumstances outside of our control. Students are also reminded that it is their responsibility to research the entry requirements to the destination countries visited per their nationality and vaccination status.
* Price per student is in Canadian Dollars and reflects the Be World Ready (BWR) grant which has been applied to the total trip cost to heavily subsidize the rate per person for our Winter 2024 International Field Studies (IFS). To qualify for the full value of the BWR grant applied to this IFS, mandatory training and tasks are required to be completed, training and task expectations will be clearly communicated by BWR staff upon registration and further clarified at the beginning of the Be World Ready course. Failure to complete the requirements as outlined by BWR staff will result in the value of the grant being billed back to the applicable student account, up to a maximum of $2500. Securing your seat on this trip will occur on a first come, first serve basis based on registration date, and meeting payment deadlines; however, if we receive more applicants than there are spaces, preference will be given to those who have not yet had the opportunity to travel with Be World Ready.