5 Reasons Why You Should Do Your MBA In Lisbon, Portugal

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If you’re looking to take the next step in your career—and get some global experience while you’re at it—an MBA abroad could be just the thing for you.

Imagine it: getting to experience a new culture, soaking up the local sights, while also making valuable business connections, plus learning skills that will benefit you for the rest of your career. There’s only one problem—where will you choose to go? With business schools the world over clamoring for your attention, choosing the ideal destination for your MBA is a hard task. Fortunately, BusinessBecause has endeavored to make your decision simpler, by taking a closer look at one of Europe’s up-and-coming study destinations: Lisbon, Portugal. Here’s five reasons why you should consider Lisbon—and The Lisbon MBA Católica/Nova—for your international business school experience:

1. Lisbon is startup central: In recent years, an influx of tech incubators and accelerator funding has seen entrepreneurship in the Portuguese capital skyrocket. The annual Web Summit conference moved from Dublin to Lisbon in 2016, bringing with it a wave of interest in and funding for entrepreneurial ventures. For instance, the StartUP Voucher initiative gives over 400 entrepreneurs a one-year fellowship to spend growing their businesses—and that’s just in the city at large. On The Lisbon MBA itself, students get the opportunity to take their ventures to Startup Lisboa, the biggest incubator in the city.

2. The low cost of living:  Compared to many other European capitals, where eye-watering rent prices and high living costs are the order of the day, Lisbon is a breath of fresh air. Comparison website Numbeo estimates that the quality of life that can be achieved for only 2,800€ in Lisbon would require around 5000€ in London, with rent prices in Lisbon sitting 57.56% lower in the Portuguese capital.

3. It’s a city with global connections:  The collaborative effort of the Nova School of Business and Economics, Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics, and MIT Sloan School of Management, it’s no surprise that international networks play a significant role on The Lisbon MBA.

4. High quality of life: The quality of life in Lisbon is second to none—literally. According to Expat Insider 2017, Portugal scored highest in the world for quality of life for expats, with expat respondents to their survey rating various countries across 43 categories including ease of settling in, safety and security, and healthcare.

5. A great location: Finally, this list would be incomplete without mentioning the stunning beauty of the city itself. Much like Rome, Lisbon was built on seven hills, which offer stunning views of the pastel-colored city walls as well as the pale Tagus river, Europe’s widest estuary, which gives the city its characteristically pale light.

Combine this with the historical and cultural sites scattered around the city, and the quality of teaching offered by The Lisbon MBA, and Lisbon has everything you could be looking for from an MBA abroad.

So, what are you waiting for?