My Erasmus+ Staff Mobility for Teaching in Matosinhos (Portugal): Ignacio Contreras, ESADA

Ignacio Contreras, teacher in the Graphic Design and Product Design Degrees at ESADA.

Erasmus+ Staff Mobility for Teaching at ESCOLA SUPERIOR DE ARTES E DESIGN in Matosinhos (Portugal), from April 22nd to 25th, 2024.

Hello everyone! I'm Ignacio Contreras, a professor of Graphic Design and Product Design, and I am excited to share my Erasmus experience with you. This mobility experience as a professor at ESADA has been truly enriching. From April 22nd to April 25th, 2024, I had the opportunity to explore the wonderful city of Porto in Portugal.

From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the unique charm of Porto: its narrow cobbled streets, the historic buildings adorned with white and blue tiles, and the majestic presence of the Douro River. At every corner, you can feel the vibrant energy and the deep history that permeates this city.

I undertook my ERASMUS stay at the School of Arts and Design of Matosinhos (ESAD Matosinhos), located, as its name suggests, in Matosinhos, a coastal city in the metropolitan area of Porto. From the outset, I established an excellent relationship with Professor Carla Correia, who coordinated my Erasmus program at ESAD. She was responsible for planning the activities and meetings I carried out during my stay.

I participated in the program under the Staff Training modality, which provided me with the opportunity to exchange teaching and learning experiences and best practices with the team at ESAD Matosinhos. Under the guidance of Professor Margarida Azevedo and Professor João Lemos, I was able to tour the school and familiarize myself with its fabulous facilities, especially the workshops. Additionally, I attended some of their classes as an adjunct professor; in summary, the entire experience was extremely enriching.

One of the most special moments of my stay was April 25th, a public holiday in Portugal that celebrates "Revolução dos Cravos", marking its 50th anniversary this year. During this significant day, I enjoyed a comforting coffee with milk accompanied by delicious "pastéis de nata" in the charming cobbled streets of the city center. These experiences, beyond the academic scope, undoubtedly added a unique and memorable value to my experience in Porto.

My days in Porto have been enriching, and I am grateful for the warm welcome I received at ESAD Matosinhos. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who made this experience possible. I eagerly look forward to returning to this charming city in the future to continue exploring its beauty, its rich culture, and to strengthen the bonds that have formed during my stay. OBRIGADO PORTO!