This academic year, the Faculty of Medicine will be hosting more than 80 Erasmus students.

Coming from France, Italy, Germany, China and the Netherlands, they have come here full of expectations and willing to learn from this experience. Being part of a teaching system that is certainly different from their own for a semester, or even a year, for many this experience proves to be a form of cultural and academic enrichment, a life lesson, a way to grow and become independent.

It is very important that they feel like they belong. For this reason, the Academic Body – Academic Mobility Management – together with the Student Association, run a Welcome Session every year.

Professor João Forjaz Lacerda was the first to welcome them. He spoke in Portuguese, highlighting that all those that have come here should be acquainted with the language that welcomes them, as all classes are taught in Portuguese and, more importantly, the lecturers with whom they will be communicating don’t speak any other language. He spoke about the importance of the Academic Mobility team for supporting students with their needs and presented Lena, Gonçalo and Bernado, who will be able to help them with all the bureaucracy involved in this academic experience.

The 18th precinct of Campo Grande PSP also attended, with a presentation on Staying Safe in the City, being cautious in public spaces and guarding your belongings, in order to avoid the frequent incidents of pick-pocketing and theft.

This was followed by a presentation by the Gabinete de Apoio ao Estudante (Student Support Bureau), as a means of essential support to those joining the Faculty. Erasmus students are no exception. Special focus was given to Espaço S, a space with support from a dedicated Clinical Psychologist who can help anyone who needs it while adjusting to a new city, a new academic system and new experiences.

The session ended with a presentation from the Student Association on all the projects that they have undertaken and all the support they can provide to these students. And of course they didn’t fail to mention the more recreational and cultural activities outside of class.

To all these students: “Welcome!”