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Drexel Spring Break in Portugal: African Black Portugal From South to North (Outgoing Program) Print  Save 
  • Locations: Lagos, Portugal; Lisbon, Portugal; Porto, Portugal
  • Program Terms: Spring
  • Restrictions: Drexel applicants only
  • Dates / Deadlines
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Class Eligibility: Junior, Pre-Junior, Senior, Sophomore Type of Program: Intensive Course Abroad
Program Description:
Program Overview | Academics | Program Calendar | Program Fee | More Information

Spring Break in Portugal:
African Black Portugal from South to North
 

Portugal ICA

Program Overview


This course examines the histories, cultures, and contemporary experiences of Black communities across Portugal through the interconnected themes of peripheries, mobility, and resistance. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from history, cultural studies, sociology, geography, and anthropology, the course explores the legacies of Portuguese colonialism, the African diaspora, migration, race, identity, and belonging from southern to northern Portugal. Students will learn how Black communities have shaped Portugal's social, cultural, and political landscapes while confronting systemic inequalities and redefining national narratives through artistic expression, community organizing, and everyday forms of resistance. By situating Black Portugal within broader discussions of colonialism, diaspora, citizenship, and social justice, the course provides a critical understanding of the enduring contributions and experiences of African-descended populations in contemporary Portugal.
Black Portugal Site
This course aims to provide students with a critical understanding of the historical and contemporary experiences of Black communities in Portugal by examining the intersections of race, migration, colonialism, identity, and resistance across the country's diverse regions. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will explore how African-descended populations have contributed to Portugal's cultural, social, and political development while challenging dominant national narratives and structures of inequality. The course encourages critical engagement with questions of belonging, memory, citizenship, and social justice, equipping students with the analytical tools to understand Black Portugal within broader contexts of the African diaspora and postcolonial Europe.

Academics

Credit/Registration: Students will be registered AFAS/HIST T280 African Black Portugal 4 credits as part of spring term course load. Students must leave room for the credits when registering or will be billed for credits exceeding the credit maximum.

Instructors from Department of History
Dr. Sónia Vaz Borges sv683@drexel.edu
Dr. Tiago Saraiva tfs37@drexel.edu
 

Program Itinerary

Start: March 15th, 2027 (depart US March 14th)

End: March 25th, 2027 
 

Day

Topic & Activities

2 pre-travel sessions TBA

Preparatory/reading meetings-class

Day 1
(March 15, Monday)

Arrival and Course Orientation (Lisbon) – Arrival in Lisbon, hotel check-in, course orientation, overview of logistics, introductory lecture on Portugal and the Black Atlantic, and welcome dinner.

Day 2
(March 16, Tuesday)

Lagos: Origins of the Transatlantic Slave Trade – Travel to Lagos, visit to the Museu de Lagos and Mercado de Escravos, guided discussion on slavery and public memory, and daily reflection.

Day 3
(March 17, Wednesday)

Lagos: Slavery, Labor, and Coastal Histories – Field visit to Meia Praia, walking lecture on fishermen and freed enslaved communities, afternoon seminar, and reflection.

Day 4
(March 18, Thursday)

Lisbon and the Black Atlantic – Return to Lisbon, lecture on Lisbon as a Black Atlantic city, discussion at Mbongi 67, and reflective activities.

Day 5
(March 19, Friday)

African Heritage in Lisbon – Guided African Heritage Tour, seminar on the Black presence in early modern Lisbon, and group reflection.

Day 6
(March 20, Saturday)

Black Rural Histories: Alcácer do Sal and Setúbal – Field visits exploring African presence, rice cultivation, quilombos, and Black historical memory, followed by an on-board seminar.

Day 7
(March 21, Sunday)

Museums, Colonial Memory, and Representation – Visits to Belém monuments and museums, and reflection on decolonization and public memory.

Day 8
(March 22, Monday)

Peripheries and Community Engagement – Community visit to Lisbon's peripheral neighborhoods with local organizers, followed by guided discussion and independent exploration.

Day 9
(March 23, Tuesday)

Porto: Memory, Identity, and Black Heritage – Day trip to Porto featuring a guided African Heritage walking tour and discussions on race, memory, and urban history.

Day 10
March 24, Wednesday)

Student Presentations and Course Synthesis – Group presentations, final reflection session, course evaluation, and closing dinner.

Day 11
(March 25, Thursday)

Departure Return travel from Lisbon to Philadelphia.

1 session (spring term) TBA

Closing of the course meeting
 

Program Fee - $3,475

Due November 16th: $500 Advanced Payment + $25 Application Fee
Due January 15th:     $2,975 Final PaymentBlack Portugal Site
*All payments are non-refundable unless declined admission or program cancels for unforeseen reasons.

Included in Program Fee:

  • Hotel accommodations double occupancy
  • Breakfasts and some meals
  • Educational program visits and tours
  • Entry fees and local guides
  • Local transport 
  • On Call health and emergency insurance

Not Included in Program Fee (Estimated):

  • Round trip flight $900
  • Passport $165
  • Meals (lunches not included) $500
  • Optional guided tour A Ilha dos Negros $390
  • Course materials $30
  • Airport transfers $70
  • Spending money $300
Financial Aid:  Students may request an Adjusted Cost of Attendance by submitting the ICA program fee and estimated out of pocket expenses listed above to Drexel Central (via askdrexel). Doing so could make students’ eligible for additional financial aid.  Students may also be eligible to apply for Drexel's ICA Scholarship.

More Information

  • A suggested flight itinerary to Portugal will be provided by the faculty leaders. Students are advised to follow flight guidance when booking their airfare.
  • US Citizens are not required to obtain a tourist visa for entry to Portugal. Other nationalities should confirm visa requirements on the embassy website.


Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Spring 2027 11/16/2026 11/30/2026 03/15/2027 03/25/2027