“Portuguese people don’t rush through meals, walk fast or focus on what is next in their day,” said Klinkiewicz, a sophomore communication major minoring in legal studies. “It is quite different from the United States. We are always rushing and trying to accomplish the most we can, which often causes us to miss the little joys of life.”

That insight is exactly what Tracey Holden, associate professor of communication and the program’s faculty director, wanted each student to take away from the experience. Holden has led this trip since 2018, first to New Zealand, and now to Portugal. The country was recently ranked the 15th happiest in the world by U.S. News and World Report. 

“There is an undergirding culture in Portugal around engagement and community,” Holden said. “What I think of as small interventions, small pieces of self care. For example, they sit down and have lunch. Knowing who your neighbors are, being willing to help someone, whether you know them or not, is just a part of the culture.” 

Wenger is a junior leadership major with a minor in public policy, and this was his first UD study abroad trip. He said he learned an important lesson in time management, as getting to a meal five minutes late meant making the entire group late to the next activity.

“We had an hour to eat but food doesn’t come out over there as fast as it does here,” he said. “We did not expect that. We have a rat racer’s mentality here in the U.S. where it’s eat and get back to work.” 

Comparable to the state of Indiana, the country’s small size allowed the group to experience museums, cafes and historical sites in the city of Lisbon, explore a castle in Sintra, tour the Coudelaria Real, the world’s oldest continuously operating horse farm and home of the Lusitano breed in Alter do Chão, and hike trails along beaches in the Algarve region. 

Throughout, students noticed not only the different wellness practices in each community, but also how the people in each location view wellbeing and happiness. 

“This experience taught me that in Portuguese culture, happiness and wellness are deeply intertwined with hospitality and openness,” said Green, a sophomore communication major who is triple minoring in art, event management and sport management. “Everywhere I went it was clear that the people wanted me to feel welcomed. It was about sharing a piece of their heritage and making every interaction meaningful.”