Living at Álamos – by an Erasmus student

I lived in Alamos residence from September 2017, until February 2018. Since I came to Lisbon on ERASMUS and didn’t know anyone in, nor anything about Portugal when I arrived, which was quite a change for me. I didn’t speak the language and wasn’t used to sharing my home space with so many people. The rules were clear and this was also not something I experienced before my arrival in Lisbon, you could even call me rebellious.

Alamos taught me about love, sharing, caring and living in order. The residents always had understanding and patience to translate, explain and make me feel at home. I loved how they value tradition and togetherness, how we always eat dinner together, “tertúlias”, different activities we put together, how everyone is friendly and here for each other etc. This is something I find really rare in times we live in, especially in residents like Alamos.

I truly felt like I’ve made a new family in my time on student exchange and I miss that family every day since I left. Because Alamos gives you everything you expect only from family : unconditional love, support and kindness. The friends I made there are my friends for life!

On the other hand, Alamos also gave me something I may needed even more; boundaries and direction. It is a great thing to know when is the time to wake up, that you need to study, clean your room, put things on its place.. This is something I had problems with, and was stimulated, very patiently I have to add, to accomplish. My parents are very grateful haha.. Maybe having a beautiful house like our residence on Campo Grande also helped a little bit 🙂 and maybe it was the memories made there.

I really hope I will have the chance to reunite with my Portugal family, and that it will keep on growing!

Nuša Maria Francesca Prižmić, Croatia