Scoops, São João, and the Douro: Lessons in Language, Culture, and Community During My Summer in Porto

GRIP: GRIP: Wine, Heritage, and Hospitality in Porto, Portugal 

The entire cohort at Quinta da Gricha in the Douro Valley, during a wine tasting, lunch, and tour of the vineyard/winery and their winemaking operation—fermentation tanks, aging facility, etc.

One of the most valuable aspects of my GRIP experience has been completing a full-time internship at Gelataria Sincelo in Porto. Although I hope to pursue a career in anthropology, museums, and cultural heritage, this experience has challenged me in unexpected ways while strengthening professional skills that will benefit me in any field.

One of the first things that surprised me was the multilingual nature of the workplace. While I expected Portuguese to be the dominant language, Spanish is actually the language most commonly spoken among my coworkers, followed closely by English, because of the international staff and the large number of tourists we serve each day. Rather than learning Portuguese in a classroom, I have been learning it on the fly by listening to conversations, reading menus, asking coworkers questions, and communicating with customers. Working in an environment where three languages are constantly being used has made every shift feel like both a language class and a cultural exchange.

Beyond serving customers, I contributed to many aspects of the business’s daily operations. I learned to prepare artisanal ice cream, crêpes, waffles, and pancakes from scratch. I also developed skills in preparing espresso-based drinks and gained a greater appreciation for Portuguese café culture.

Perhaps my favorite part of the internship has been getting to know my coworkers. Coming from Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, and Portugal, each person has brought different cultural traditions and experiences to the workplace. Our conversations about language, food, migration, and daily life have been just as educational as the work itself. As an anthropology student, these everyday interactions have shown me that cultural learning happens not only in museums or research settings but also through ordinary conversations and shared experiences.

Working in a multilingual, high-volume environment has strengthened my adaptability, resilience, time management, teamwork, and public engagement skills. I realize this experience has been about much more than serving gelato—it has taught me how to communicate across cultures, embrace uncertainty, and continue learning every day.

One of the highlights of my cultural immersion experience was visiting Quinta da Gricha in the Douro Valley. Although Porto has been my home during the internship, this excursion allowed me to experience a very different side of Portugal. Driving through the winding mountain roads, the landscape gradually opened into breathtaking views of terraced vineyards stretching across the hillsides overlooking the Douro River. It quickly became clear why the Douro Valley is recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful wine regions.

Our visit included a guided tour of the vineyards and historic winery, where we learned about the region’s centuries-old winemaking traditions and the careful process behind producing Port and Douro wines. Walking through the vineyards while hearing about the labor, history, and craftsmanship involved gave me a much deeper appreciation for how agriculture, culture, and heritage are interconnected.

After the tour, we participated in a tasting of three different styles of Port wine: a white Port, a ruby Port, and a tawny Port. Learning how each wine differed in production, aging, flavor, and appearance was fascinating. We paired the tasting with a traditional Portuguese meal that included a fresh salad with tomatoes, onions, olive oil, and bread, followed by a tender beef steak served with a rich sauce and crispy wedge-style potatoes. Sharing lunch while overlooking the vineyards and the Douro River created one of the most memorable moments of my time abroad.

As someone interested in cultural heritage, I appreciated that this experience went beyond simply tasting wine. It demonstrated how local industries preserve history, sustain rural communities, and shape regional identity. Visiting the Douro Valley reminded me that culture is experienced through landscapes, traditions, craftsmanship, food, and the people who continue these practices across generations. It was a perfect example of the type of immersive learning that has made my GRIP experience so meaningful.

Another unforgettable cultural experience was celebrating São João, Porto’s largest and most beloved festival. Coincidentally, the celebration fell on my birthday, June 23, making it one of the most memorable birthdays I have ever had.

São João honors Saint John the Baptist, but today it is celebrated as a citywide festival that brings together locals and visitors for an evening of music, food, dancing, and uniquely playful traditions. One of the most amusing customs was seeing thousands of people carrying colorful plastic hammers and gently tapping one another on the head as they walked through the streets. Another long-standing tradition involves waving or rubbing fragrant leek flowers over people’s heads as a gesture of good luck, as well as eating many sardines. It was impossible to walk through the city without laughing as strangers enthusiastically participated in these eccentric traditions, creating an atmosphere that was both welcoming and full of energy. It also helped that Portugal won one of their World Cup matches earlier in the afternoon as well.

As the evening continued, the streets became increasingly crowded with families, friends, and visitors celebrating together. Food vendors, musicians, and performers filled the city, transforming Porto into one enormous celebration. Experiencing a holiday that is so deeply connected to the city’s identity gave me a greater appreciation for Portuguese traditions and the importance of community celebrations.

The highlight of the evening was watching the fireworks over the Douro River between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. The display illuminated the historic riverside skyline and reflected beautifully across the water. It was easily one of the most spectacular fireworks shows I have ever seen, if not the very best—and I’m from NYC. Celebrating my birthday while surrounded by thousands of people enjoying one of Portugal’s most iconic festivals made the experience even more meaningful.

Experiencing São João reminded me that cultural immersion is often found in local traditions rather than major tourist attractions. Participating in a celebration that has been part of Porto’s history for generations allowed me to experience the city’s culture in a way that simply reading about it never could. It was a perfect example of how studying abroad provides opportunities to engage with everyday traditions that become lifelong memories.