Praktikum

Erasmus Life Lisbon

Frieda B., Leisure and Tourism Management, 7. Fachsemester, Portugal, Lissabon , Wintersemester 25/26

Sunsets, Students and Events: My Internship in Lisbon

Internship Search and Application

For a long time, I was searching for an internship in Southeast Asia. However, after receiving mostly negative responses or no replies at all, I slowly started to lose hope. Since I was determined to complete my internship abroad, I decided to shift my focus and look for opportunities elsewhere in Europe. The first step I took was visiting my university’s website, where several internship opportunities in different countries were listed. One of the links led to a platform called Placement in Portugal (PIP). 
At the beginning of August, on the 1st, I started actively looking for internships within Europe. A few days later, on August 5th, I had my first contact with PIP after submitting my cover letter and applying for several available positions through their platform. They contacted me by email and asked to learn more about me and my interests, which led to an online meeting on August 13th. After this meeting, they sent me three different internship opportunities. I selected one of the positions, and PIP arranged an interview between me and my future manager at Erasmus Life Lisboa (ELL). The interview took place on August 26th and went very well. It was relaxed and easygoing, which gave me a very positive impression of the work environment I would potentially join. After expressing my interest in the position as an Event and Organizer Trainee at Erasmus Life Lisboa, I soon received confirmation on the same day that I had been accepted by the company. Following this, I started preparing all the necessary documents. During this entire process, most of the communication was handled through Placement in Portugal. My internship at Erasmus Life Lisboa officially started on October 6th.

Accommodation 

I started my search for accommodation relatively late and used the website Erasmus Life Housing. Eventually, I booked my room on September 26th. Unfortunately, this was quite late, and many of the best options were already taken. Nevertheless, I managed to find a room in an eight-person shared apartment with a convenient location close to both the city center and my workplace. In terms of location, I was therefore quite satisfied. However, none of my flatmates were students, which meant the apartment felt more like a functional shared space rather than a social environment. Because of this, I did not spend much time there and mainly used it as a place to sleep.

Internship 

Erasmus Life Lisboa is a student network that organizes trips, events, and parties for international students living in Lisbon. My position was Event and Organizer Trainee. My responsibilities were quite diverse and went beyond simply preparing activities or trips. One of my tasks included helping to create content for the company’s social media platforms, particularly Instagram and TikTok. On some days, I also worked at the front office, where I welcomed students who visited the office and answered their questions either in person or through WhatsApp and Instagram direct messages. During back-office hours, the main focus was on preparing upcoming events or completing follow-up tasks from previous events. Additionally, we were usually assigned side tasks that required attention, which made the daily work routine varied and dynamic.

Daily Life 

During my free time, I enjoyed exploring Lisbon by visiting cafés or walking through the streets of the downtown area, either alone or with friends. One of my favorite activities was watching the sunset from one of Lisbon’s many miradouros, which are scenic viewpoints across the city. My personal favorite spot was located on the other side of the river. Lisbon is also very well connected to many other cities and smaller towns in Portugal, making it easy to travel. On weekends or on my days off, I often took day trips or short overnight trips to explore different parts of the country. During these trips, I especially fell in love with the beautiful beaches and the diverse nature that Portugal has to offer.

Tips 

It is important not to start the search for accommodation too late. Many international students are looking for rooms at the same time for their Erasmus semester, which makes the housing market very competitive. Additionally, before signing any contract with a landlord or housing company, it is helpful to check their Google reviews. This can give you a better understanding of possible issues and help you avoid unpleasant surprises later.

Conclusion 

Overall, my internship experience in Lisbon was both professionally and personally enriching. Working at Erasmus Life Lisboa allowed me to gain practical experience in event organization, social media management, and communication with international students. At the same time, living in Lisbon gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, meet people from many different countries, and explore the beautiful landscapes of Portugal. Despite some small challenges, such as finding accommodation, the experience helped me grow in terms of independence, adaptability, and intercultural skills. I would highly recommend completing an internship abroad, as it provides valuable professional insights while also creating unforgettable personal experiences.