From the time I was little, stories floated around my house about the colorful beachtowns of the South of Portugal. My great grandparents had once partied with locals who convinced them to buy a bar in the quaint town of Albufeira. 

15 years later, I jumped at the opportunity to see what made them fall in love with the country.

As an avid adventurer, curious about meeting new people and experiencing different ways of life, I knew missing out on a study abroad experience would be a mistake. 

Lisbon, Portugal was the clearest choice, and I am beyond ecstatic that I chose it. In just one month, the vibrant Portuguese capital transformed my views on productivity, happiness and what it means to really live.

With Duolingo Portuguese practice under my belt and a curated list of destinations to see, I set out for Lisbon at the beginning of June 2025. 

Unknown to me, it was the month when Lisbon residents dance to Pimba music until 2 a.m., eat home-cooked sardines and drink 2 euro pints under colorful, streamer-lined streets. 

I have been to block parties in the U.S., but nothing I have experienced can compare to the way time freezes during Lisbon’s annual Santos Populares – the celebrations of the city patron saint’s birth month.

Celebratory feasts, spontaneous family time and dance battles began to take precedence over work routines and high-stress planning during my time in Lisbon. 

Like most of the people around me, I am wired to check the boxes off my to-do list throughout the day. I struggle to live in the moment. My default is to focus on productivity rather than soaking up stillness, self reflection and time with loved ones.

Although our neuroses manifest differently, my roommate puts us all under the “stressy souls” umbrella. I don’t think I would be far off to assume it’s a pretty accurate term for most Americans.

Lisbon’s laidback culture put my “stressy soul” to the test and gave it some rest.

On my first day of class, our program coordinators arranged to take us to campus. They were an hour late. My classmates and I were mortified when we walked into our classes, but the professors were unbothered and showed up late to class most days. 

Each of the trip’s planned excursions happened on Portuguese time. Our field trip buses left after they were supposed to, and changes to the plans were communicated at the very last minute. 

When we went out to eat, we were never rushed by the restaurant staff. We had to flag them down to be able to leave. 

The walking pace of residents at the metro station would send a born and raised New Yorker into a rage. 

I was on the edge of my seat at first. I had arrived with a list of everything I thought I needed to do, curated by Instagram reels and Lisbon travel influencers telling me the 30 things I absolutely could not miss. The no laid-back attitude was getting in the way of my bucket list.

However, it didn’t take long to feel jealous of the Lisboetas around me who enjoyed whatever came their way.

I wondered how locals were able to sit outside cafes with lap dogs and coffee in hand at all times of day. How did they start their festivities at 12 a.m. each night?

I felt perplexed. My list began to feel like it wasn’t fulfilling me as floating along to Lisbon’s natural rhythm was. 

I decided it was time to truly embrace my time abroad. I laid my productivity-first American mindset to rest, and I let go of the constant to-do lists spinning in my mind.

In my free time, I took up exploring the city’s third spaces. I wandered around aimlessly for hours stumbling across hidden gems, and awkwardly pushing myself to try to string together the Portuguese I learned at tascas (local cafes). 

At times, the language barrier made me feel self-conscious and ultra aware of being an outsider. When I tried my best or offered an “obrigada,” it was returned with a smile or a nod of approval.

I quickly became obsessed with Lisbon’s Miradouros, lookout points that bring tourists and locals alike to gaze out at the city’s orange and pink skyline along the Tagus River, and twin to the Golden Gate Bridge. 

I spent 50% of my time reading, laughing with friends or people watching at Miraudouros.

San Diego’s own Sunset Cliffs may have the same allure: epic sunsets and water views, but the difference lies in the clockwork. 

The masses flock to Sunset Cliffs half an hour before the sun sets. They take their pictures and all sprint back to their cars as soon as the sun dips below the horizon.

Back from Lisbon, it makes me want to yell at everyone and tell them they are missing what truly makes the spot special: getting lost in the beauty of the moment.

Returning to the U.S., my reverse culture shock proved harder to shake. 

I had learned how to take the burden of stress and throw it into the ocean. My stress and anxiety didn’t exhaust me or keep me from the simple joys of life. I had become more confident entering unfamiliar situations and appreciating them even when I was scared.

Unfortunately, my new mindset wasn’t completely sustainable back in the U.S. It doesn’t coincide with school deadlines, work or the rigid plans I make with friends and family. 

While I took a bit of a backstep coming back to the U.S., I will always have Lisbon to thank for showing me there is more to life than lists. My “stressy soul” will carry the lessons I learned abroad and strive to continue building that inner-peace and fulfillment.