Program Description

The University of Wisconsin-Madison program in Coimbra, Portugal provides students the opportunity to attend the Portuguese Language and Culture program for international students at the Universidade de Coimbra as well as the option of directly enrolling in up to two regular Universidade de Coimbra courses.

Coimbra features many exquisite cathedrals, monasteries, parks, and gardens. The city is famous for its twisting streets, terraced houses and fado music. With a population of approximately 100,000, Coimbra provides both an intimate and a stimulating environment in which to live and study. Coimbra is located in Portugal’s Costa de Prata, “Silver Coast,” which offers a variety of beautiful beaches, charming towns, unspoiled villages, monuments, temples, castles, palaces, and museums. Lisbon, Portugal’s capital is 125 miles south of Coimbra. It is a lively, international city with a population of about one and a half million, and offers a fascinating combination of the old and the new.

Academics

King Dinis founded the Universidade de Coimbra in 1285. After moving back and forth between Lisbon and Coimbra, the university settled permanently in Coimbra in 1537 in the Alcacoba Palace. Today, approximately 17,000 students take classes at the university’s hill-top campus overlooking the Mondego River.

The Portuguese Language and Culture program has three different levels: elementary, intermediate, and advanced. These courses are designed specifically for students learning Portuguese as a second language. Upon arrival, a placement test is given to determine the student’s appropriate level placement. The elementary levels include courses in Portuguese language, conversation, and composition as well as a language laboratory. The intermediate levels add courses in Portuguese history, geography, and art to the language and composition and conversation courses. The advanced levels offer a language course, as well as courses in linguistics, Portuguese literature, contemporary Portugal, art history and geography.

Students with advanced Portuguese language skills are encouraged to directly enroll in one or two regular Universdade de Coimbra courses with Portuguese students. Students are able to choose from courses in the Humanities and Economics colleges. Regular university courses may start several weeks prior to the Portuguese Language and Culture program.

Housing

Students may live in a residence hall, rent a room from a family, or rent a private apartment. If students are interested in living in the residence hall upon arrival, the local resident director makes these arrangements on behalf of the students. Residence halls have month to month leases and provide students the opportunity to become acquainted with the university and city as well as Portuguese students. Students can then decide whether or not to find other housing options in Coimbra.

Excursions and Activities

The program includes several day or overnight excursions to places such as Oporto and Lisbon. The university offers a wide range of student activities. Bulletin boards throughout campus publicize a variety of social and cultural events. Students have access to the university stadium that includes a gymnasium, soccer fields, rugby grounds, a sports track, and tennis courts.