Multimedia Storytelling and Intercultural Communication
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About this Program
This program provides you with the hands-on experience you need to become a skilled multimedia storyteller. Learn to research, produce, and incorporate text, audio, graphics, and other imagery to create engaging traditional or digital messages in an intercultural context. Expand your multimedia abilities and use them to enhance your intercultural communication skills and prepare for an international career, whether you are majoring in journalism and media studies, social sciences or humanities, math, or technology. From the program’s base in Lisbon, you will utilize professional-grade television and radio recording and editing equipment. Under the guidance of media and arts professionals, you will collaborate on small media projects with local peers and build a portfolio of dynamic and engaging content. In the Multimedia Storytelling Atelier, you will engage in a series of creative experiments to enhance your sensory perceptions, intercultural communication and production skills, and prepare to complete a final multimedia project.
Program Highlights
- Language(s) of Instruction:
- English
- Courses with Study Abroad Students
- Language Intensive Program
- No Language Pre-Requisites
- Research Opportunities
- Study Center Program
- Homestay
- Winter Quarter Housing applications open in November
- Spring Quarter Housing applications open in February
- Fall Quarter Housing applications open in May
Level of Immersion
Features
Housing Abroad
Moving can be both costly and stressful, but careful planning can help minimize both. Start by creating a housing plan for before and after your study abroad experience to avoid the pressure of continuing to pay for rent at home. Program fees typically cover housing abroad, so if you expect to incur additional domestic rent expenses, be sure to include these in your budget. If possible, consider staying with family or friends temporarily before you depart or when you return to save on costs.
Housing Residence Life
Education Abroad typically recommends considering Seattle University on-campus housing for when students return from their programs, as Housing Residence Life staff are able to support students in securing housing, while adhering to student preference as best as they can.
Housing Application
Check the Housing Portal for more specific dates
Courseload
Students who participate in an SU-Sponsored, SU-Exchange, or Non-SU program must be fully enrolled at their host university/program provider. Full-time enrollment on a semester-length program is typically 15 US semester credits (not quarter credits) or 30 ECTS credits.
Note: Not all programs/host universities provide syllabi prior to the start of classes. Some may have samples of past syllabi but cannot guarantee that a specific course will be offered during the student's time abroad.
- Credit Range: 16
- Credit System: U.S. Semester Credits
- Typical Course load: 5
- Credit Per Course: 3-4
Credit Conversion
- Transcript Issued By: School for International Training
- Credit Conversion Rate: 1 U.S. Semester Credit = 1.5 SU Quarter Credits
- Quarter Range: 24
Academic Policy & Minimum Grade Requirement:
- Student will receive transfer credit for their study abroad program and academic grades will not be reflected on their Seattle University transcript and will not be reflected in the Seattle University GPA nor honors calculations.
- For all undergraduate programs, courses accepted in transfer are graded at least a C- when letter grades are issued and at least a 1.5 on the decimal grading system. Courses graded D+ or lower (1.5) will not be allowed either for transfer credit or to fulfill degree requirements.
- Students in the College of Nursing, the College of Science and Engineering, and communication and psychology majors in the College of Arts and Sciences will be required to repeat courses graded lower than C (2.0) if the course is a major requirement or if it is a prerequisite to a major requirement.
- Students in the Albers School of Business and Economics must complete required business courses (including mathematics, economics & accounting) with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
Transfer Credits
Letter grades received on this program will not transfer to SU nor factor into Seattle University GPA. If students receive the minimum grade required, credits will transfer toward their Seattle University degree as approved through the required pre-departure Course Approval process. Minimum grade details will be specified during Course Approval for each course taken abroad.
Placeholder Course
The Education Abroad Office will enroll students in a 12-credit placeholder course per term that you are abroad so that students maintain full-time student status and are billed properly. This placeholder course will be replaced by the courses taken abroad upon successful completion and receipt of official transcript.
Program Fees
Program fees are subject to change and based on previous year's tuition, if future tuition rates are not available yet. The purpose of the budget worksheets is to provide an estimate of how much studying abroad is going to cost. Actual spending may vary.
- Fall Semester: $TBD
- Spring Semester: $TBD
Requesting a Financial Aid Estimate
Student Financial Aid allows students to request a financial aid estimate when planning an education abroad experience. Students can bring the completed worksheet of your preferred program to a meeting with a Student Financial Aid Counselor.
Budget Worksheets
No valid buttons givenParticipation Costs
Payment
For SU-Sponsored programs, pay your Seattle University bill through your MySeattleU Student Account for the term(s) you are abroad. The Program Fee is labeled as "MSA Fee" on your bill. Payment deadlines align with Seattle University’s quarterly deadlines and you can sign-up for a payment plan as usual.
Seattle University handles payments to SIT on your behalf for the program cost. Additional expenses not included in Seattle University’s Program Fee, like special course fees, housing upgrades, and optional excursions, may be billed to you directly by SIT. Consult the Budget Worksheet for a breakdown of estimate additional expenses.
Insurance
Scholarships
There are many study abroad scholarships for all program types. The application process may be easier than you think, but planning ahead is key. Deadlines are often 6-8 months in advance of departure. Check out the Scholarship section of Seattle University Education Abroad website for more information on scholarships and how to apply.
Student Journey
| Approximate Timeline | Phase | More details |
|---|---|---|
| Sept-Jan | Exploration | Students will work with Education Abroad and various supporters (family, academic advisor, etc.) to find a program that best fits student's academic, personal, and professional goals. |
| Feb 1 | Apply | Students will have the opportunity to apply to SU-Sponsored and SU-Exchange programs during next academic year in the Fall around November. The hard deadline is February 1st. |
| Late Feb/Early Mar | Nominations | Education Abroad Office will nominate selected students for SU-Sponsored and SU-Exchange programs. |
| Mar-May (Fall) Sept-Dec (Winter) Jan-March (Spring) | Preparation | Students will complete secondary applications for program providers/host university in preparation of going abroad. Additional preparatory steps include pre-departure orientation, courses approvals, Health Check, Visa application, planning housing arrangements (abroad & Seattle), immunizations, etc. |
Application Steps
- Complete Module I of Global Engagement with Education Abroad Canvas course, including Education Abroad 101 and attending a Planning Meeting with your Education Advisor.
- Complete the SU-Sponsored/SU-Exchange Program Application in Module II of the Canvas course by February 1 for selected program.
If you haven’t joined the Education Abroad Canvas Course yet, Join Now!
Climate
- Spring (March to May): Mild and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 22°C (59°F to 72°F). This is a great time to explore the countryside and historic sites before summer crowds arrive.
- Summer (June to August): Warm to hot, with coastal temperatures between 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F). Inland areas, like Alentejo, can be even warmer. Ideal for beach activities.
- Autumn (September to November): Pleasant, with temperatures from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F) and fewer crowds. Early autumn is still warm and great for outdoor activities.
- Winter (December to February): Mild on the coast, with temperatures from 8°C to 15°C (46°F to 59°F). Inland areas, especially in the north, can be cooler and wetter, with some frost in mountainous regions.
Travel Resources
- Air: Major international airports are Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport, Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, and Faro Airport for Algarve access.
- Train: The Comboios de Portugal (CP) rail network connects major cities, with scenic routes like the Douro Line and Alfa Pendular high-speed trains.
- Public Transport: Cities like Lisbon and Porto have extensive metro, tram, and bus systems. Trams are a historic and popular way to get around in Lisbon.
Cultural Resources
- Historical Sites: Key attractions include Lisbon’s Belém Tower, Porto’s Ribeira District, Sintra’s Pena Palace, and the Douro Valley for wine tours.
- Language: The official language is Portuguese. English is widely spoken in tourist areas and major cities.
- Festivals: Popular events include the Santo António Festival in Lisbon, São João Festival in Porto, and Madeira Flower Festival.
Food & Diet
- Cuisine: Traditional Portuguese dishes include bacalhau (salted cod), pastéis de nata (custard tarts), sardinhas assadas (grilled sardines), and caldo verde (kale soup). Portugal is also known for its wines, particularly port wine.
- Dietary Needs: Vegetarian and vegan options are increasingly available, especially in cities, though traditional cuisine tends to be meat- and seafood-focused.
Embassy/Consulate
- U.S. Embassy in Lisbon: Avenida das Forças Armadas 133C, 1600-081 Lisbon (Phone: +351 21 727 3300)
Identity-Specific Considerations
- Accessibility: Portugal has been improving its accessibility, especially in larger cities and tourist areas. However, older areas like Lisbon’s Alfama district may be challenging due to cobblestone streets and hills.
- LGBTQ+: Portugal is one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly countries in Europe, with legal protections and an accepting social climate. Major cities have a visible LGBTQ+ community.
- Religion: Portugal is predominantly Roman Catholic, with religious freedom protected and a growing number of non-religious and minority faith communities.
- Race & Ethnicity: Portugal is ethnically diverse, with communities from former colonies in Africa, Brazil, and Asia, though racial minorities may face occasional social and economic discrimination.
- Gender: Gender equality is progressing in Portugal, with strong legal protections and increasing female participation in leadership roles, though traditional gender norms and wage disparities remain challenges.
Visa Requirements
What is a Visa?
A visa is a permission granted by a country that allows foreign nationals to enter and reside there temporarily. Applicants typically need to provide documentation such as an acceptance letter from the educational institution, proof of financial means, and health insurance. Student visas come with specific regulations regarding work rights, travel restrictions, and duration of stay, varying by country.
Below is a brief overview of the current visa requirements for your program. Note that countries may amend visa requirements at any time, so it will be important to follow all instructions given by SIT.
U.S. passport holders are required to obtain a student visa for Portugal prior to departure (Non-U.S. citizens should consult their respective consulates). The cost of this visa is about $80-125. SIT will offer additional information and guidance before departure and on-site; however, the decision to grant admission into the country is not in SIT's nor Seattle University's control. Keep in mind that entry requirements are specific to the length of your stay, citizenship, and the type of activities you will be engaged in. It is your responsibility to determine specific entry requirements and stipulations prior to the start of your program.