This summer, a group of students from a variety of majors kicked off their break with a nine-day learning experience in Lisbon focused on entrepreneurship and small business planning in Portuguese markets.
The trip, led by Economics and Business Professors Robert Gigliotti and Dina Frutos-Bencze combined industry visits with cultural exploration.
“As faculty, we seek opportunities where learning truly comes alive,” said Frutos-Bencze. “This program showed our students that entrepreneurship is not only a personal journey but also a societal priority.” Throughout their excursions, the group saw how a nation can build an environment where small ideas grow into successful ventures.
The program featured a mixture of business, non-profit, and cultural experiences. Emphasizing the entrepreneurial focus of the curriculum, the group met with staff at StartUp Portugal to gain insights into small business development and strategies for building ecosystems that support emerging enterprises. They also spent an entire day with a local chef and small business owner, who guided them in creating a traditional three-course Portuguese meal.
Reflecting the College's commitment to service, the group dedicated an afternoon to volunteer at The Lisbon Project, a non-profit organization assisting migrants and refugees. Participants engaged with administrative staff to learn about the organization’s history, growth, and efforts to ensure financial sustainability, while also working alongside local volunteers to serve a community meal.
Art and culture were woven throughout the entire trip. Students explored the city’s iconic tiled streets and colorful graffiti, discussing its cultural significance and even creating their own street art pieces. Visits to landmarks such as Pena Palace in Sintra and a sunset river cruise on the Tagus River offered unforgettable opportunities to appreciate Portugal’s historic architecture and breathtaking scenery.
“Our trip to Lisbon provided students and faculty with a deeper understanding of the city’s rich history and vibrant culture,” said Gigliotti, recalling the street art field trip. A walking tour organized by the travel company highlighted Lisbon’s dynamic graffiti scene, where historic architecture from centuries past blends with contemporary street art. This contrast offered participants a unique perspective on the city’s evolving identity. The tour also fostered an appreciation for the diverse styles and techniques of both local and international artists.
He continued, “Much of the graffiti art is commissioned work through government and private funding that supports the artistic endeavors of the painters and their passion for their vocation. The commissioned work is a great lesson on how artists as entrepreneurs garner needed resources to help finance the pursuit their dreams and artistic visions.”
Finance major Jack Cicconi ’26 described the experience as a blend of exploration and learning, emphasizing the value of having free time to navigate the city independently and the insights he gained into Portuguese culture.
Cicconi shared, “My favorite memory was the cooking class we participated in because it took a lot of teamwork to make such a great meal, and that was the moment I really got to know and start to bond with the other students on the trip."
Although the program was centered on entrepreneurship, it was open to students of all majors. Politics major Jocelyn Green ’28 explained that she signed up for the Portugal trip primarily because she had always wanted to travel more. “Although it was a business trip, which is outside of my major, I still felt like it would be an amazing experience to have - and I was correct!”
The trip was planned in collaboration with the Saint Anselm College Study Abroad office, which helped coordinate the travel logistics and curriculum partners. Plans are already underway for another business industry trip, in January 2026, exploring emerging markets in Chile. Students can contact Emily Hotchkiss for more information about this trip and other opportunities.
“This study abroad experience in Portugal was something that changed my life,” said Paige Potts ’27, an Economics and Finance double major. “This international trip gave me a new perspective on the world and how other cultures live each day.”