Portugal is often overlooked due to the worldwide fame of its much larger neighbor, Spain. But this country of nearly 10.5 million people on the far western edge of the Iberian Peninsula has had a much greater impact on the development of the western world than its diminutive size might initially imply. Indeed, the effect it has had on the world at large, from it cultural and culinary contributions to its perhaps unfortunate legacy of colonialism, is difficult to overestimate.

The country we now know as Portugal has been inhabited for millennia, and over the course of that time, a great number of people have called the land home, including native Iberians, Celts, and the Moors, among others. However, "Portugal traces its emergence as a nation to 24 June 1128, with the Battle of Säo Mamede by Afonso I of the House of Burgundy. On 5 October 1143 Portugal was formally recognized. Afonso, aided by the Templar Knights, continued to conquer southern lands from the Moors. In 1250 the Portuguese Reconquista ended when it reached the southern coast of Algarve" (www.en.wikipedia.org). Once Portugal had been officially established, of course, it began what can only be called an extraordinary age of exploration, discovery, and worldwide influence, discovering previously unknown lands around the world, spreading its culture, and changing the face of the world in wholly unexpected ways.

But Portugal, of course, is about much more than its past, though many of its most beautiful architectural remnants are still there for residents and visitors alike to see. Indeed, today's Portugal is an exciting place to visit and an even better place to attend college. For while there is a great deal to be gained by visiting Portugal for a short period of time, living there and immersing yourself into the culture will prove to be beneficial in ways you may never have thought possible.

Portugal is a country with both beautiful natural environments and exciting, vibrant cities. The countryside offers visitors the opportunity to experience Portuguese culture as it was in the past. Indeed, traditional Portuguese ways of life are still in evidence outside the major urban centers. These are areas in which the pace of life is a bit slower and a bit more deliberate, but never boring. Visitors can expect to leave the countryside with an excellent appreciation for the benefit of taking their time and enjoying a life lived at a slower pace. In Lisbon, the capital city, students will likely find themselves enamored of all the wonderful restaurants, world-class museums (including the National Museum of Ancient Art and the Lisbon Aquarium, which is the biggest one in Europe), and spectacular food.

As opposed to the often complicated and grand preparations of, say, France or Italy, "Portuguese food is, [generally,] simple ingredients impeccably prepared. Based on regional produce, emphasizing fish, meat, olive oil, tomato, and spices, it features hearty soups, homemade bread and cheeses, as well as unexpected combinations of meat and shellfish" (www.searchiberia.com). Visitors and students are often surprised and ultimately charmed by the cuisine of Portugal. They also tend to fall in love with Portuguese wine, which is often relatively simple and straightforward, and almost always affordable. Port, however, the famous dessert wine of the country, is dangerously easy to enjoy. Sweet and often tasting somewhat of caramel or raisins, there is simply no better way to end a meal than with a small glass of Port.

The Portuguese language is not necessarily as easy to learn as Spanish, but the fact that it is a Romance language, and therefore shares a number of words with English and Spanish, certainly makes it easier to learn than, say, Mandarin or Arabic. So attending college full-time in Portugal is not as difficult as you might initially imagine. And the famously friendly Portuguese are sure to help you out along the way.

So no matter what you would like to study, and no matter how limited your knowledge of the Portuguese language is, the fact remains that Portugal is a land of surprises, friendly people, and a culture as rich and engrained as any in Europe. You cannot go wrong by attending college in Portugal.