Study in Lisbon

Program Interest Form

Study in Lisbon, Summer 2027

Global Business & Economic Transformation

Monday, July 12, to Friday, July 23, 2027

View of Lisbon’s cityscape

Experience Lisbon as a living classroom for global business, economics, innovation, and cultural discovery.

Upcoming Information Sessions:

Please check back for details.

The Destination

Spend 12 days in Lisbon, a vibrant Atlantic capital where centuries-old neighborhoods meet a fast-growing startup and innovation economy. This two-week immersive educational and cultural program combines guided learning excursions in Alfama, Baixa, Belem, and Lisbon's creative and business districts with day trips to Sintra, Óbidos, and the Nazaré coast. Structured activities are balanced with independent days and free evenings so students can explore, reflect, and experience daily life in Portugal.

View of Lisbon’s cityscape

The Academic/Cultural Focus

Lisbon is an ideal setting for BUSI 22, Principles of Business, and ECON C2002, Principles of Macroeconomics. Through field experiences, company and community visits, and guided academic reflection, students will explore international business, entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability, globalization, digital transformation, consumer behavior, labor markets, trade, public policy, tourism, hospitality, and regional economic development.

The program also encourages students to build intercultural communication skills and confidence navigating unfamiliar cultures and empowering them to meaningfully participate in an increasingly interconnected global economy. Students will apply course concepts to the real world while exploring the Unicorn Factory startup ecosystem, Banco de Portugal Money Museum, LX Factory's creative redevelopment, economic transformation, public transportation and infrastructure, global trade, and Portugal's rich economic history.

No prior international travel experience or Portuguese-language background is required. Students will live together in centrally located individual rooms, receive pre-departure preparation, airport transfers, local transit cards, travel medical insurance, and on-site support from a program director and two Lisbon-based staff members. Students from all academic and personal backgrounds are encouraged to apply and build the confidence, cultural awareness, and professional skills that come from learning abroad.

Program Interest Form

Program Highlights

Live in a private, air-conditioned room with a private bathroom and kitchenette at Livensa Living in central Lisbon.
Explore Alfama, Baixa, Belem, LX Factory, and Lisbon's startup and innovation districts.
Connect economics coursework to the Banco de Portugal Money Museum and Portugal's global trade history.
Study entrepreneurship and business development through the Unicorn Factory/Beato Innovation District.
Take day trips to Sintra and Pena Palace and to the medieval town of Óbidos and the Nazaré coast.
Build global business awareness, intercultural communication, economic reasoning, and career-ready confidence.
Receive airport transfers, local transit credit, three group dinners, travel medical insurance, and on-site support.

Travel Dates

Travel dates are July 12–23, 2027. (depart California July 11)

Course Dates

The course runs June 28–Aug. 6, 2027. The first two weeks of the course are online, followed by two weeks in Lisbon and another two weeks online, for a total of six weeks.

Program Itinerary

Date	Day	Location & Activity
Mon., July 12	Day 1	Arrive in Lisbon. Airport transfer, Livensa check-in, neighborhood orientation, and welcome dinner.
Tue., July 13	Day 2	Guided tour of Alfama to explore tourism’s impact on the local economy, followed by an expert lecture and group debrief on Lisbon’s economic and global trade legacy.
Wed., July 14	Day 3	Visits to Banco de Portugal Money Museum and Baixa, including a central banking simulation, followed by lunch and exploration of LX Factory and Alcântara’s creative economy, with evening reflection on money, monetary policy, and urban transformation.
Thu., July 15	Day 4	Full-day excursion to Sintra exploring Romantic-era architecture and heritage tourism, including visits to Quinta da Regaleira and Pena Palace, with lunch.
Fri., July 16	Day 5	Guided tour of Lisbon’s historic waterfront and Age of Discovery landmarks, followed by a movie night exploring Lisbon’s portrayal and impact on tourism marketing.
Sat., July 17	Day 6	Guided discussion on globalization and consumer behavior, followed by a hands-on Portuguese cooking class featuring local ingredients and traditional cuisine; afternoon and evening free.
Sun., July 18	Day 7	Independent exploration and free evening.
Mon., July 19	Day 8	Guided visit to Lisbon’s startup and innovation ecosystem, Unicorn Factory in Beato, followed by a lecture on Airbnb, VRBO, housing, and hospitality markets, with evening reflection and a mid-program group dinner.
Tue., July 20	Day 9	Full-day excursion to Óbidos and Nazaré exploring tourism-driven economic transformation, opportunity costs, and infrastructure investment, with lunch.
Wed., July 21	Day 10	Guided tour of Lisbon’s Saldanha business district, including a visit to Aticco República and a real-world business challenge session, followed by a free afternoon and evening reflection on entrepreneurship and business opportunities.
Thu., July 22	Day 11	Faculty-led field study of the Expo ’98 redevelopment, examining its economic and urban impact through transportation, retail, tourism, infrastructure, and sustainability, followed by a group stakeholder activity and farewell dinner. Packing. Preparing for departure.
Fri., July 23	Day 12	Airport transfer and departure.

Program Faculty

Dr. Natasha Mancuso, Instructor and Department Chair (Business)
Angelica (Angie) Dupree, Instructor (Economics)

Program Hosts

Foothill College Global Experiential Learning, with on-ground logistics and student support provided by Studykai International Education.

Courses Offered

BUSI 22, Principles of Business (5 units), and
ECON C2002, Principles of Macroeconomics (5 units).

No program-specific prerequisites are listed; students enroll in both hybrid courses.

Students who have already completed the listed course may enroll in an independent study.

Application and Costs

As part of the application process, please complete the interest form to tell us a bit more about yourself. If you meet the initial program eligibility criteria, we'll provide the official program application.

GEL Lisbon—Summer 2027 Interest Form

Program Cost

Program Fee: $3,300 per student
Early-Bird Rate: $2,950 with a deposit received by January 31, 2027
Deposit: $350, due no later than February 28, 2027

The program requires a minimum of 15 students and is limited to 25 participants.

Final payment deadlines, the program confirmation date, and refund and cancellation policies will be included in the official Studykai enrollment agreement.

Please note: Airfare and trip-cancellation insurance are not included in the program fee.

What's Included

The following are included in program fees:

11 nights accommodation at Livensa’s Marquês de Pombal, individual rooms, kitchenette, private bath (please include link to Livensa)

Airport transfers on arrival and departure

Private coach for Óbidos and Nazaré full-day excursion

Local transit cards for student independent travel in Lisbon and to the Sintra day trip

Guided walking tours and admissions

3 group dinners, 4 group lunches, and a grocery welcome package provided to students upon arrival

On-site staffing

Atlas Nomads travel medical insurance

Operator liability coverage

Additional Costs Not Included

The following are not included in program fees and will be additional costs:

Student international airfare
Daily meals, except for three included group dinners, four group lunches, and grocery bags provided at the start of the program.
Personal expenses and shopping
Optional activities
Local Sintra tourist-bus fare, where required
Separate trip-cancellation insurance:
- Approximately $100 for standard coverage.
- Approximately $300 for Cancel For Any Reason coverage, based on the provider proposal.

Program Eligibility

The program is open to Foothill College students, 18 years and older, who:

Complete the GEL application process.
Enroll in both BUSI 22 and ECON C2002.
Complete all required pre-departure activities.
Follow Foothill College and Studykai conduct and safety requirements.

No Portuguese-language experience or prior international travel is required.

How To Apply

Complete the Lisbon 2027 program interest/application form and follow the enrollment instructions from Foothill Global Experiential Learning. Interested students may also email globalexperiences@fhda.edu to request updates.

GEL Lisbon—Summer 2027 Interest Form