Mariana Vieira | Communication Sciences

Mariana Vieira

Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences

My name is Mariana Vieira, and I am a final-year student of the Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences at Lusófona University - Porto University Centre.

I chose a university that I researched thoroughly and found to have excellent professors—some of whom I had already seen on television as journalists. So, I started gathering information and testimonials from people who had studied here before.

Lusófona University has given me various tools to start shaping my future. Last semester, I had the opportunity to go on an Erasmus exchange, which provided me with invaluable experience and a broader perspective on different realities. I am also part of the student association, and I believe all these experiences, both within and outside the university, will help me become a journalist.

The Communication Sciences course is more theoretical in the first two years, but I believe it is a myth that it has too much theory—at least in my opinion—because it actually prepares us well for the third year, which is more practical. In our final year, we have several modules, all with a strong practical component. Through these hands-on classes, we start to realise how incredible and essential journalism is. Our relationship with the professors is also outstanding. For instance, at the end of a radio class, the professor might say: "From now on, don't call me professor anymore. We are colleagues now—you are journalists." This truly makes us feel like professionals in the field.

The course exposes us to various scenarios, preparing us for different professional challenges and equipping us with the necessary skills. We build solid foundations here that I am sure will be essential for our future.

I highly recommend the university, and what I value most is the relationship with the professors. Many people say that at university, professors don’t even know their students' names, but that is not the case here at all. The professors genuinely care about us. If we need anything, we can approach them, ask for guidance, and they are always willing to help. That is one of the aspects I appreciate the most.

Moreover, the university is very centrally located, in a prime area of Porto. Public transport is easily accessible, restaurants are just five minutes away, and everything we need is close by, which is a huge advantage.

For all these reasons, I highly recommend this university. These years here will undoubtedly stay with me for life.