First day was reserved for cultural tour around city of Braga. Our students have visited the most popular city sights: Bom Jesus do Monte, Sameiro sanctuary, Jardim se Santa Barbara, Se de Braga, Arco da Porta Nova, Republic Square.
Walking through the city, we enjoyed interesting details on the facades of traditional houses from the 18th century, hidden historical sights and beautiful gardens. Braga is known for its numerous churches, so it is often called the Portuguese Rome.
DAY 2
On the second day of Project activities, the students were assigned to hotels and restaurants where they did their professional practice. The students were assigned mentors within the organization who introduced them to the workplace, the employees and familiarized them with the basic safety regulations at work.
Day 3
On the third day of project activities, the students were integrated into the work environment. They performed work tasks taking into account the regulations on occupational health and safety. Work tasks included: preparation of documentation for guest check-in and check-out, guest check-in through the application, reception tasks and welcoming guests, directing guests to their rooms and other tasks related to providing information to guests at the reception desk
DAY 4
The fourth day was reserved for a cultural visit to Lisbon and Fatima. We started our journey very early, already at 5.30 we left Braga for Lisbon.
We continued our sightseeing in the center of the city, on the Praca do Comercio that used to be called Terreiro do Paco because it was where the royal family was located until the Palace was destroyed by a devastating earthquake in 1755. We continued our journey towards the pilgrimage shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. We prayed to Our Lady for a safe return to our homeland.
We visited the Tower of Belem. The fort was built in 1515 during the Golden Age of Portuguese discovery of the world, and is one of the most visited sights in all of Portugal. After that, we visited the Jeronimos Monastery, where Vasco da Gama's grave is located. Across of the monastery is the Monument of the Discoveries, that is, the monument to the sailors who set sail from that place. Vasco da Gama, Magellan and Henry the Navigator holding a caravel are carved on it.
DAY 5
Sunday was day off for our student. They had their clothes cleaned and enjoyed exploring the town more detailed.
DAY 6
On day 6, our students prepared breakfast for guests at their workplaces and participated in catering services at hotels, they also prepared information for tourists and arranged itineraries for tourist trips.
DAY 7
Work at reception
Cleaning the hotel rooms
Serving the tables
Assistance in cleaning
Guests check in and check out
Serving restaurant guests
DAY 8
Students continued they work in restaurant kitchens, preparing and serving breakfast, serving guests at the table and preparing desserts for guests. The rest of the working day consisted of reception operations, welcoming and registering guests, planning itineraries for tourists and other tasks as instructed by the mentor.
DAY 9
In the morning, students helped clean hotel rooms and restaurant facilities, prepared and served breakfast and lunch and made special holiday drinks and beverages for guests. A certain number of students prepared the information desk for tourists and answered the inquiries of hotel guests. During their work practice, students met and became friends with other employees of hotels and thus learned about cultural differences and acquired skills of interpersonal cooperation with other cultures while respecting their customs.
Table setting - breakfast
Table setting - lunch
Work in a multicultural environment
Ut enim ad minim veniam
Ut enim ad minim veniam
Ut enim ad minim veniam
DAY 10
Our students helped prepare the rooms and other facilities of the hotel and restaurant for the guests, prepared and served breakfast, planned the Christmas event for the hotel guests and performed reception duties.
Napkin folding and table setting
Preparing restorant for guests
Preparing breakfast
Ut enim ad minim veniam
Ut enim ad minim veniam
Ut enim ad minim veniam
DAY 11
Day 11 was reserved for a cultural visit to a little town Viana do Castelo. Upon arrival we visited Praia do Cabedelo Beach, which is a paradise for surfers. After that, we saw the ship Gil Eannes Hospital in the port, which during the wars served as a military hospital at sea. After a tour of the city, we visited Santa Luisa Hill, where the beautiful Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is located. Inside we saw pink stained glass windows, painted domes, a museum and gardens. Several students climbed to the very top of the dome, which offers a panoramic view of the ocean and the town Viana do Castelo.
DAY 12
Cultural trip to Porto.
The tour began with a trip to the hill above the Duoro river, from where you can see the river and the Dom Luis bridge that connects the cities of Porto and Gaia. Through the narrow streets we reached Torre dos Clerigos, which is adorned with the church of the same name with a baroque tower and is considered the central point of Porto. The famous tram line 18 also departs from that place, which still runs through the streets of the city offering tourist tours. Then we visited the railway station of St. Bento decorated with 20,000 blue ceramic tiles that show the history of Portugal. Se do Porto gave us another fantastic view of Porto. The cathedral is one of the oldest monuments of the city and the most important local romantic monument. We crossed the Dom Luis bridge to the town of Gaia, which is famous for its wine production and hospitality. We had lunch in a traditional Portuguese restaurant, and some students even decided to take a boat ride on the Douro River.
DAY 13
Students submitted their work diaries for review and verification, all students fulfilled their duties and successfully completed their professional practice in Potrugal.
This was followed by a joint lunch and a ceremony of awarding certificates to students and teachers. We are returning to Croatia satisfied and enriched with new experiences.
DAY 14
Oh no, after 5 hours spent waiting at the airport we are not going home. Due to bad weather, airports all over Europe are closed, and we are staying one more day in Portugal. Disappointment is followed by a surprise when the airline company accommodates us in a 5-star hotel, which proved to be an exceptional opportunity for our students, who did their internship in hotels of lower categories, to see the differences in the quality and level of service in a luxury hotel.
