Discovering Braga for the first time...
Discover Braga through the eyes of EMLex student Punsisi—a heartfelt reflection on a journey that began with curiosity and turned into unforgettable memories. Thank you for sharing your beautiful words!
I can still see that day as if it were a scene from a film— the moment I arrived in Braga, the golden light of late afternoon spilling across the cobblestone streets. My suitcase rattled behind me, still heavy with the weight of Erlangen and the final exam I had just left behind. I didn’t know what this new semester would hold; the future felt like an unopened book. All I knew was that our entire cohort would be together for the months ahead, and the thought made my heart pound with equal parts excitement and fear. Would I be able to keep up? Would I find my place here? Then, on that very first day, she appeared—Prof. Idalete, with her bright smile and open arms. She hugged me as if she’d known me forever, and in that instant, every ounce of my anxiety melted away. From that moment, I knew I would cherish her presence throughout the semester.
During our first week, we were out the door almost every morning—a whirlwind of excursions that turned strangers into companions. On buses, in museums, across sunlit squares, I began to learn the faces, laughter, and quiet strengths of the people with whom I’d spend the months ahead. The term itself was intense: four concentrated months, ten distinct modules—stretching from the theoretical foundations of lexicography to code, corpora, and computational linguistics. That range made the program’s interdisciplinarity impossible to miss. We were nineteen students from fifteen countries, and the professors, too, arrived from across the map, giving the whole experience a generous, unmistakably international character.
The semester unfolded beautifully, filled with deep learning and countless shared moments. Every Friday, our unmissable coffee breaks became a cherished ritual—a time to unwind, laugh, and truly connect beyond the classroom. Weekends were for discovery: from the colorful streets of Porto to the historic charm of Coimbra, from the windswept cliffs of Nazaré to the canals of Aveiro, and down to the sunlit shores of Faro, I wandered through Portugal’s many faces of beauty. Even its neighbors were not forgotten—during the holidays, I ventured into Spain, exploring the vibrant streets of Madrid, the warmth of Málaga, and the soul of Sevilla. Beyond Europe, my journey stretched further south to Morocco, where I wandered through the bustling streets of Casablanca, marveled at the vibrant colors and energy of Marrakesh, and discovered the charm and history of Rabat
It was a truly wholesome experience, shared with a group of extraordinary, BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE—an experience that will forever remain close to my heart. As we now scatter across different corners of Europe, each beginning a new chapter, I want to end with a small note of gratitude: thank you for being a part of my life, for every smile, every conversation, every moment we shared.
Until we meet again.
Punsisi LIYANAGE (Sri Lanka)
EMLex (Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani Cohort 2024-2026)
