Study in Lisbon

Study in Lisbon, Summer 2027

Global Business & Economic Transformation

Monday, July 12, to Saturday, July 24, 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 13 days in Lisbon, a vibrant Atlantic capital where centuries-old neighborhoods meet a fast-growing startup and innovation economy. The program combines guided learning in Alfama, Baixa, Belem, and Lisbon's creative and business districts with day trips to Sintra, Obidos, and the Nazare 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 1A, Principles of Macroeconomics. Students will connect course concepts to the Banco de Portugal Money Museum, the Unicorn Factory startup ecosystem, LX Factory's creative redevelopment, tourism and hospitality, public transportation, global trade, and Portugal's economic history. Site visits, expert conversations, field observations, and reflection activities turn the city into a living case study in entrepreneurship, monetary policy, globalization, sustainability, and regional development.

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 Highlights

Live in a private, air-conditioned room with a private bathroom and kitchenette 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 Obidos and the Nazare 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 12–24, 2027. (depart California July 11)

Course Dates

The course runs June 28–Aug. 6, 2027, with the first week online

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 Alfama tour and proposed expert lecture on Lisbon's economic history and global trade legacy.
Wed., July 14	Day 3	Banco de Portugal Money Museum, Baixa, LX Factory, and Doca de Santo Amaro.
Thu., July 15	Day 4	Full-day train excursion to Sintra, including Pena Palace and gardens.
Fri., July 16	Day 5	Belem walking tour and a guest lecture or academic/company visit to be confirmed.
Sat.–Sun., July 17–18	Days 6–7	Independent exploration and free evenings.
Mon., July 19	Day 8	Unicorn Factory/Beato Innovation District, a second site visit, and group dinner.
Tue., July 20	Day 9	Private-coach excursion to Obidos and the Nazare coast.
Wed., July 21	Day 10	Lisbon neighborhood walking tour and expert lecture, to be confirmed with faculty input.
Thu., July 22	Day 11	Independent exploration, shopping, and reflection.
Fri., July 23	Day 12	Free time, packing, and farewell dinner.
Sat., July 24	Day 13	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 1A, Principles of Macroeconomics (5 units).

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

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 Dec. 31, 2026
Deposit: $350, due in January 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:

12 nights in an individual air-conditioned room with private bathroom and kitchenette
Faculty airfare
Group airport transfers
Private coach for the Obidos/Nazare excursion
Local transit cards with EUR 40 in credit
Guided tours and admissions
Three group dinners
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 the three included group dinners
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 who:

Complete the GEL application process.
Enroll in both BUSI 22 and ECON 1A.
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