Diary of an intern: Demi and Gwenno

Demi and Gwenno, recent film graduates from the University of the Arts London, are currently wrapping up their three-month internship in visual filmmaking and digital marketing here in Lisbon. Excited to share their experiences, here are their testimonials!

Demi: 

“Lisbon has truly been a dream come true! With its sunny weather, stunning architecture, and delicious pastries, this city has captured my heart completely. My time here as a filmmaking intern has been filled with unforgettable adventures and the formation of lifelong friendships.

Compared to bustling London, Lisbon feels familiar and intimate, making it very easy to navigate via public transportation like the metro, buses, trams or even with affordable taxi rides. Despite its hilly terrain, I've discovered that Lisbon is incredibly pedestrian-friendly, and I often choose to walk to destinations within a 30-minute radius to fully soak in the city's charm. At every turn, there's a new tiled masterpiece or a breath-taking viewpoint waiting to be discovered. Surrounded by such beauty and vibrancy, I find myself constantly fuelled with inspiration and creativity, which has greatly enriched my internship experience. 

My time in Lisbon has been marked by unforgettable moments, from exploring renowned museums like The Gulbenkian, The Museum of Contemporary Art, and The National Tile Museum, to basking in the serenity of beautiful parks and gardens like Jardim da Estrela, Jardim Botânico de Lisboa, and Parque de Bela Vista. Not to mention the incredible day trips to Sintra, Cascais, and Sesimbra!

Balancing my work schedule and classes, I've been fortunate to immerse myself in so many experiences. From language lessons to a digital marketing class, I've eagerly absorbed knowledge that I know will greatly benefit my future. I'm grateful for the support of Synopsis and the Twin Turing scheme, whose accommodation of my needs has been over and beyond.

Reflecting on my time here, I can't find a single fault in this experience. I wholeheartedly recommend this Turing scheme to anyone seeking to advance their career in digital marketing while exploring new cultures and forging meaningful connections with like-minded individuals”.

Gwenno: 

“So far, my experiences in Lisbon have been beautiful, idyllic, and calm. I had never been to Portugal before this scheme, but Lisbon is rapidly becoming my most beloved city in the world. If you enjoy beautiful architecture, cheap pastries, and coffee, and living life at a slower pace, it may become yours too.  I am so grateful to have completed a creative internship in this city, and I have met so many new people and made such good friends, both in and outside of the Turing scheme. Some of my best days here have been spent with new friends, drinking wine in any of the countless miradouros (viewpoints) at sunset, exploring the endless activities and experiences the city has to offer, and indulging in numerous pastel de natas.

Coming from the green countryside of North Wales to an unfamiliar city with such a vibrant culture and a rich history of art has been wonderfully motivating, allowing my creativity to grow in ways I never imagined possible. I've felt genuinely liberated, able to explore and create art outside of my internship experience, as well as produce ideas for future opportunities to discover the rest of what the world has to offer to a freshly graduated 23-year-old. My favourite days in the city are often spontaneous; some days I wake up with the intention of going out and filming the city, capturing whatever fascinates me in the moment. Being in an unfamiliar place has enabled me to discover new aspects of myself, while additionally taking Portuguese lessons with Synopsis has allowed me to grow culturally and socially, with the city and its people. I urge that you take a sketchbook and make notes or drawings of your favourite spots to visit, dine, listen to music, and relax. So far, my favourite way to explore the city has been via tram; if you get up early, you can avoid the lunchtime crowd at Martim Moniz and take Tram 28 to Rato, near the end of its route. Enjoy an espresso and banana bread for the small amount of two euros at the café in the Jardim de Estrela while basking in the sunshine. If you find time to get off the beaten track, there are so many beautiful places to explore outside of Lisbon too – the highlight of my time so far has been hiking to a small, secluded beach near Sesimbra and spending the day with my friends swimming, eating ample amounts of seafood, and relaxing in the sunshine.

Overall, Lisbon is a marvellous place to live as a young person. The nightlife is vibrant, with nights out like hidden gems, and you might find yourself dancing the night away in a stunning venue like Palacio do Grilo, Ze De Bois, or Casa Independente. The food is good, the drinks are cheap, and the landscape is breath-taking - if you are a fan of ceramics, flea markets, affordable pastries, taking life at a slower pace, and finding beauty in the little details, then Lisbon could be for you.”