Portugal — the country where my life in a year took place, the country I dedicated a VIP-lounge to in my heart. Here I sit now in my swivel chair, months after having returned, spilling my thoughts on this pearl of a country on digital paper.

The 9th of September 2016, that’s when I set foot into my one-year-lasting adventure which was to take place in Portugal. I had already visited it before, during the ending summer holidays, and was left stunned by its authentic Mediterranean atmosphere. Back then, Lisbon was where I spent a Portugal-week with my grandparents before I eventually would go on to live in Vagos for a year, a microscopic village located within the borders of the Aveiro district. Throughout this time, I found Portugal to be just as diverse as the Portuguese.

Whereas during the first weeks, I was still battling communication barriers, once I got the hang of the Portuguese language, everything started to fall into place. On a daily basis, I was gifted anew to discover how vastly temperamental but equally lovable Portugal’s inhabitants can be. With assistance coming from the classmates and teachers of my second school I somehow slowly grooved my way into life in Portugal. A life which centres around socialising, insurmountable amounts of tasty food out of a cuisine reigned by seafood and foremost: the appreciation of the little things.