My Portuguese Placement Experience

My Portuguese placement EXPERIENCE

    Hello, my name is Henrique, I am a 21 years old student at Bournemouth University (BU) studying BSc Sports Management. I chose BU because I was really intrigued by the course content that the university offers and the opportunity to take part in a placement year, which is a great opportunity to gain valuable experience outside the classroom. 

    After completing my second year, I returned to Portugal to take my placement at Grupo Desportivo Estoril Praia, a football club known for its presence in the first division of Portuguese football. This club was once in the Europa League, and finished in 3rd Place in a group with PSV, Dynamo Moscow and, Panathinaikos. When searching for a placement, I was very open to working in the UK and abroad. So when the opportunity arose to return home and experience football in a country where it’s deeply respected, I was really excited.

Prepping and Settling in Portugal

    This placement gave me the opportunity to develop professionally, by gaining new skills and insights, while working on my Portuguese as I’ve always studied in English. With this placement, I accepted the position at Estoril Praia because of the experience it offered. I had a wide range of tasks and responsibilities within and outside of my role. This helped me make new connections and gain experience that has had a really positive impact on my life. Benefiting from the Turing scheme in this experience was very important as it was easy and helpful to cover everyday expenses such as meals and transport. 

    Adapting to life back in Portugal after two years in the UK was a challenge. I went from studying and doing work indoors to being outside everyday, running and managing operational logistical tasks. The cultural and environmental differences were very significant. Going from the Mediterranean climate and cuisine to the slower pace of life and mindset. Meals were more social and communal, which contrasted with the UK’s focus on productivity and efficiency. Even lunch breaks were more relaxed, with flexible hours being normal. Despite the heat and demanding work schedule, I expanded outside my work life and worked on my own personal life. I continued playing Futsal competitively, joining a local team and participating in competitive matches when I had free time. It was very important to expand beyond work. 

Entering "The Working Mindset"

    Being involved in the sports industry while also developing personally was a dream come true. I was especially excited about getting hands-on experience in football, which has been something I have always wanted to do. One of my biggest challenges was improving my Portuguese language skills, but it motivated me even more to keep practicing to get there. However, my placement is closely aligned with my course, especially in areas such as day-to-day team operations and strategic planning. It connected to many modules from the past two years, making my academic learning feel really practical and relevant. However, the true reality of the job was very different to what I had expected. Long working hours and a variety of responsibilities spanning from transport logistics and equipment management to supporting the players and the coaching staff. This really highlighted how complex it is and what is needed to keep a football team running smoothly. There were many highs and lows. The early days were tough, with multiple coaches instructing me to do a long list of tasks, especially during the pre-season. A highlight for the team was to finish at the top of the first series (A major group stage) and fighting for promotion, despite missing out by just two points, which was a tough way to end the season. 

A Global Outlook on my experience

    Throughout my placement, I developed a deep understanding of cultural perspectives and how they influence the working lives of others. How they influence coaching styles, communication, but also team dynamics. Having players from diverse countries including Australia, Canada, Scotland, and France, I learnt how cultural values shape their perspectives and how they interact with one another especially in leadership to player development. Studying in the UK helped me notice how my own communication style which was more formal and structured was really different to the relaxed and informal approach which is more common in Portuguese football. Comparing how sport is managed but also perceived in the UK versus Portugal helped me appreciate how different cultural values really shape player development, leadership style but also certain expectations throughout the season.

    Overall, this experience really confirmed my passion to work in the sporting industry, either in management, scouting, or data analytics. Working closely in youth football, showed me how much operational roles impact performance, and it deepened my interest in exploring the football industry further. My confidence grew as I improved key skills  such as communication, teamwork and time management. Having the experience which helped me improve certain skills, it also equipped me with experiences that has strengthened my CV. More importantly I feel better equipped to work in diverse environments. I’ve learned to adapt to new expectations, respect cultural differences, and communicate effectively with people from various backgrounds.

    I would definitely recommend doing an international placement or traineeship. It’s a brilliant opportunity to develop both personally and professionally. Developing a new level of independence, immersing into new cultures and building a versatile skill set. It may be discouraging at first but it truly gets easier. Being able to apply theory in practice, gaining different insights, and experience a different country really makes this a rewarding journey.

    "Muito obrigado, e até à próxima!" Which means thank you and until next time!