Lisbon is not only Europe's Atlantic hub, but also a strategic point to Africa and the Americas. Portuguese explorers set sail from the Tagus River in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries to give "new worlds to the world" (Luis de Camões, in Os Lusíadas). Lisbon has always welcomed new people and cultures, lending its inhabitants a spirit of great openness towards foreigners, as evidenced by the many favourable testimonies of those who work or study here. Lisbon has always been considered a universalist urbanization, where multiple languages ​​are spoken and where different people with different cultures live. All of this contributes to the spirit of great openness of its inhabitants, as attested by the multiple favourable testimonies of those who work and/or study here.

Security is one of the strengths of Lisbon, considered as one of the safest capitals in Europe (according to Europe Best Destinations), and its ranking is higher every year, on the list of safest cities in the world with better life quality. Portugal has low violent crime indicators, being rated as the 3^rd safest country in the world (Global Peace Index-2019).

Lisbon offers students a qualified network of both public and private universities and research centers, promoting close collaboration with higher education institutions of international standing.

It offers high quality programs and innovative teaching techniques, with a strong research culture; the collaboration between the academic and business world is strongly encouraged.

Being the sunniest capital in Europe, it’s an opportunity to practise a lot of different sports outside, like jogging, BTT, Golf, Football, Skating and Horseback riding.

The proximity to the Tagus River and the sea, also allows the practice of rowing, canoeing, sailing, surfing and kitesurfing. Two of the most spectacular seafronts in Europe are in Guincho (25 min from Lisbon by car) and Ericeira (35 min from Lisbon by car), the latter being the largest surfing reserve in Europe.

The hosts events (many of international notoriety) throughout the whole year for a diversity of audiences, many of which are recognized worldwide (E.g.: Web Summit, Volvo Ocean Race, Rock in Rio festival, and Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge). Along the Tagus waterfront, there are numerous places to dine, drink, watch the sunset or even dancing if you feel like it, such as the Alcântara Docks.

Lisbon in one of the cheapest cities in the European Union, being an attractive factor for many students.

The inhabitants of Lisboa are friendly and spontaneous, and have a good knowledge of foreign languages, especially the younger population (more than 90% of young people speak at least one foreign language), being considered the city that speaks English best in southern Europe.

The most spoken languages ​​are English (59.6%), French (21.5%) and Spanish (14.8%). In the city, numerous communities from several countries coexist peacefully, with special emphasis on countries such as Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola, Ukraine, India and China.

It is a country open to the world, by affirming and promoting the values ​​that the Portuguese people believe in: respect for human dignity, equality and the promotion of peoples' well-being.

Depending on the region and the time of the year, Portugal, in general is a very sunny country.

With no snow during the winter and temperatures that never decrease below zero, Lisbon is a blessed city. It’s a privilege to live in a place where its possible to go to the beach in October or March and spend a comfortable day outdoors in February. The climate is seasoned, with hot dry summers and damp winters. Lisbon has longer and hotter summers compared to the mountainous regions in the north of Portugal.