ExchangeAbility

Christmas in Portugal is a time of joy, family gatherings, and deep-rooted customs that have been passed down through generations. From the glowing lights and nativity scenes to the delicious holiday feasts and heartfelt gift-giving, each tradition carries a special meaning and contributes to the magical atmosphere of the season.

"Christmas with Portuguese Families" is an Erasmus Student Network Portugal project with the goal of connecting local Portuguese families with international students during the holidays, providing a warm and festive experience for those who might otherwise spend the holidays alone. 

 

KEY OBJECTIVES

Cultural Exchange

The initiative promotes cultural exchange by allowing international students to immerse themselves in Portuguese customs, traditions, and family life during Christmas. Students get to experience traditional Portuguese Christmas foods, participate in family gatherings, and observe local customs.

 

Community Building

It fosters a sense of community and belonging for international students, making them feel more integrated into the local society. It also allows Portuguese families to learn about different cultures and create international connections.

 

Memorable Experience

For many students, this experience can be one of the highlights of their time abroad, creating lasting memories and friendships.

 

 

HOW CAN I JOIN?

Portuguese Families

Portuguese families are the backbone of this project and are essential to create a cultural exchange experience for all the  international students who stay in their city of mobility during the Christmas holidays. This initiative is perfect for families who want to promote the  sharing and acceptance of different cultures and customs and are happy to welcome with open arms another person in their home during the holidays!

If you would like to be  a part of this project, please stay tuned as more information will be coming out soon!

 

International Students

 

The main goal of this project is to offer international students a warm and festive experience by inviting them to spend Christmas with local Portuguese families. This helps alleviate the loneliness that students might feel being away from their home countries and families during the holidays. 

 

If you are an international student that would like to be hosted by a Portuguese family for lunch or dinner on the 24th or 25th of December, please stay tuned as more information will be coming out soon!

 

 

Higher Education Institutions

 

Higher Education Institutions play a vital role in developing a dynamic and inclusive environment for students! Your support in promoting this project within the higher education community would greatly enhance its impact:

 

 

- Information Dissemination: Share the project announcement you receive in your inbox and all the relevant documents (booklet) within your academic circles, encouraging students and staff to participate.

- Facilitating Registrations: Please share the form links with your international and local communities to facilitate registrations.

 

Commercial Partners

 

We are always open to establish collaborations with commercial partners that would work with us in providing compelling initiatives for Portuguese families to join the project. Potential proposals include establishing partnerships with entities willing to provide exclusive Christmas discounts or a food basket  to registered families. Please see our Partners Booklet for more information.

 

The goal is to not only enhance the appeal of the project but also express appreciation for the families' involvement, fostering a stronger sense of community engagement during the holiday season. If you are interested in supporting this project as a commercial partner please contact us directly at treasurer@esnportugal.org. 

 

 

PROJECT HISTORY

In 2023, the feedback from participating Portuguese Families stated that 79% enjoyed participating in this project  and 96% would participate again. While for International Students, 83% enjoyed participating in this project and 89% would participate again.

 

We work hard each year to implement new strategies to improve the feedback received from both participating families and students!

 

CONTACTS

If you require any further information or have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact us directly at board@esnportugal.org or secretary@esnportugal.org. 

Help us make this project even better this year!