✏️ Back to School, Expat Style: Lessons for Autumn in Portugal

Happy Sunday, friends! 🌞

If you’re new to The Expat Hustle, welcome! It’s my absolute honor to have you here, and I hope you find value in each newsletter that lands in your inbox every weekend. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of newsletter, but I aim to share something useful every week, whether it’s free advice from legal and tax experts, insider stories (like my own today!), or the little tricks and hacks we pick up along the way in this journey of making Portugal our home.

Today’s newsletter is a little different, with a theme perfect for this season: Back to School + Autumn Reset. In the article below, I share our family’s journey through the public school system. And for those of you without kids, don’t worry, I’ve put together some practical “adult back-to-school” tips that will help you tackle life in Portugal like a pro this autumn.

I also get to share my recent podcast interview with Expats Everywhere, where I talk about our rollercoaster story from South Africa to Portugal. I was nervous (you might be able to tell if you’re watching on YouTube!), but Kalie made it easy to share our story.

So, what can you expect in today’s issue?

Let’s dive in, shall we?

⚡Today’s issue is too long for your inbox! Click below to read the full newsletter online.

You’re optimizing for growth. You need ecom tactics that actually work. Not mushy strategies.

Go-to-Millions is the ecommerce growth newsletter from Ari Murray, packed with tactical insights, smart creative, and marketing that drives revenue.

Every issue is built for operators: clear, punchy, and grounded in what’s working, from product strategy to paid media to conversion lifts.

Subscribe free and get your next growth unlock delivered weekly.

Sign up now

Nestled within Costa Vicentina Natural Park, Praia de Monte Clérigo offers an enchanting escape where dramatic cliffs frame golden sand and the Atlantic's cooling breeze carries whispers of adventure. This wild, unspoiled gem reveals its greatest treasures at low tide, when rocky platforms transform into natural aquariums teeming with starfish, crabs, anemones, and even the occasional octopus, creating a snorkeler's paradise despite the chilly waters that demand a wetsuit. Overlooked by a charming fishing village perched on the hillside, the beach maintains its tranquil character even during peak season, while on windy days the crashing waves create an ethereal haze that transforms the shoreline into something straight from a fairytale, making it equally beloved by families seeking tide pool discoveries and surfers chasing the perfect wave.

MOTELX – Lisbon International Horror Film Festival (9–15 September, Lisbon): A premier horror cinema festival with new international releases, classics, and Portuguese horror works.

Art’In Rua – Street Arts Festival (12–14 September, Tomar, central Portugal): Witness global artists transforming streets with performance and creativity in this open-air arts fest.

BREW! Artisanal Beer Festival Coimbra (12-14 September, Coimbra): an annual craft beer festival held in Verd’O Parque, Coimbra, showcasing more than 200 beers from dozens of Portuguese and international breweries. Festival-goers can enjoy tastings, exclusive launches, street food, live music, workshops, games, and a vibrant community spirit in an open-air, pet-friendly venue, making it a true celebration of culture, creativity, and beer in the heart of Portugal.

Alma do Vinho – Alenquer Wine Festival (11–14 September, Alenquer): the largest wine festival in the Lisbon region, drawing nearly 40,000 visitors each year for four days of pure wine celebration in Parque Urbano da Romeira. Unlike many wine events, your entry ticket gives you unlimited tastings of about 300 wines from over 40 regional producers. The festival is much more than wine: you’ll find live “fire cuisine” cooking with top chefs, food and wine pairings, hands-on masterclasses (even a “Wine for Dummies” crash course), and energetic evening concerts by major Portuguese artists.

Chefs on Fire, Cascais (20-21 September, Cascais): a vibrant two-day open-fire food and music festival held in Parque Marechal Carmona, nestled between the sea and garden greenery in Cascais. This unique gathering celebrates the art of cooking over flames, as award-winning national and international chefs prepare signature meat, fish, vegetarian, and dessert dishes in live demonstrations.

Oktoberfest at Vila Vita Biergarten (24 Sep - 5 Oct, Porches): A Bavarian-style beer festival complete with oompah band, Erdinger beer, German food, and lively atmosphere—closed on 29–30 September.

XXX Feira Nacional de Artesanato – Pombal Craft Fair (19–21 September, Pombal): Explore traditional and modern crafts, gastronomy stalls (“Tasquinhas de Pombal”), and artisanal exhibits.

It’s back-to-school week, and instead of the usual expert tips, I want to share something more personal: our family’s leap into the Portuguese public school system.

No system is perfect. We’ve hit our heads against bureaucracy, clashed with teaching styles, and second-guessed ourselves more than once. But four years in, our daughter is nearly fluent in Portuguese and fully integrated in ways we, as adults, may never be.

That’s the bigger truth about expat kids: they adapt. Whether in public school, private school, or homeschooling, they gain something far beyond grades: resilience. They learn what it feels like to be the outsider, how to find their footing, and how to thrive in uncertainty. They pick up languages, broaden their worldview, and develop empathy that will serve them long after school ends.

So if you’re weighing your options, here’s what our journey taught us and what might help you too.

When we first moved to Portugal, I was about 90% sure Scarlett would end up in a private school. That’s what we’d researched back in South Africa, and it felt like the “safe” option for an expat family.

So no one was more surprised than us when, just weeks later, we dropped our six-year-old off at a large yellow public school.

It wasn’t what we’d planned. It wasn’t what we’d expected. But looking back now, I’m glad it unfolded this way.

We started where most expats do: at the glossy, English-friendly private schools. One of them ticked all the boxes: a polished website, English-speaking teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, and sprawling sports fields.

And then came the numbers. €400–€600 per month in fees. For one child.

As rookie parents with a single income stretched thin from a big international move, that wasn’t sustainable. Suddenly, the “safe option” didn’t feel so safe for our budget.

That’s how we found ourselves wandering up to the main public primary school in town, not quite sure what we’d walk into.

To our surprise, the teacher at the gate welcomed us in, gave us a tour, and let us take our time to soak it all in. The walls were alive with children’s art, and the atmosphere felt bright and warm. We felt a sense of community. And of course, it was free. The only real hurdle was the lack of English. However, we decided to enroll.

The process wasn’t without its quirks. The central school administration sent us bouncing between offices, and the language barrier turned every meeting into a guessing game. But with persistence (and a lot of Google Translate), we managed.

Settling in wasn’t easy, and we second-guessed ourselves often in those first two years. Scarlett was navigating a new language, nearly 30 classmates, and a system with little room to pause and catch up.

By the end of her second year, her teacher told us she was struggling and should repeat the year. I cried. Not over grades, but over her confidence. She’d already been teased, and I feared another year would break her spirit.

We decided to move her to another school.

By a stroke of luck, just 2km from our home, there was a tiny village school with only two classrooms, with a handful of teachers and helpers who welcomed us with open smiles.

Scarlett bounced out of that visit grinning, saying she couldn’t wait to call her grandparents and tell them she’d found a new school, and that it was awesome.

The transfer process was surprisingly easy. With residency cards, passports, NIF and NISS numbers, proof of address, and a couple of forms, we had everything sorted in under 20 minutes.

After two years at a small village school, we’ve seen our daughter truly flourish. We were initially scared that changing schools might set her back, and for a while, we even questioned whether enrolling her in the public system had been a mistake. But those doubts weren’t about public vs. private; they were about finding the right fit. The truth is, challenges can surface anywhere. What matters is landing in an environment where your child feels supported and seen.

Every family's journey looks different. Some thrive in private international schools, others find their home in public education, and some blend both or choose homeschooling.

The key isn't finding the "perfect" school, it's finding the right fit for your child at this moment in time, knowing you have the flexibility to adapt as circumstances change.

Our schooling journey in Portugal hasn’t been straightforward, but it’s taught us so much. If you’re an expat navigating the same choices, here are a few takeaways:

We never planned on public school. But here we are, with a child who is flourishing, bilingual, and building resilience we couldn’t have taught her ourselves.

If you’re in the thick of the school decision, my advice is this: visit in person, trust your instincts, and remember your child will be okay. More than okay, they’ll grow in ways you can’t yet imagine.

And if your journey looks different, I’d love to hear it. Write to me with your story! I may share it in a future newsletter so we can give expat parents the full picture, together.

I recently joined the Expats Everywhere on their podcast, Let’s Move To Portugal, to discuss our move from South Africa to Portugal. It was a fun and honest conversation where I shared the surprises, challenges, and little wins we’ve experienced as a family navigating life as expats. We cover everything from handling bureaucracy and finding the right schools, to the quirks of Portuguese culture that caught us off guard, and my husband’s medical emergency, which taught us a lot about public healthcare. If you’re curious about our journey and how this newsletter started, give it a listen here. (Yes, I was super nervous, but Kalie made the conversation so easy and enjoyable. Make sure you check out their podcast regularly for more incredible expat stories, tips, and advice!)

If you’re looking for more guidance from Josh and Kallie, you’ll definitely benefit from the courses they offer. Check out the links below, and don’t forget to use the code Hustle10 at checkout to get $10 off your purchase!

School might be back in session, but your adult curriculum in Portugal looks a little different. Here’s a highly practical, grown-up study plan to make life smoother this season:

1. Bureaucracy Basics

Tackle one piece of paperwork you’ve been putting off. Whether it’s getting your NISS (social security number), finally securing your Utente/SNS number, or setting up a living will, autumn is the perfect time to get this off your plate.

2. Portuguese Language Practice

Dedicate just 10 minutes a day to learning Portuguese. Consistency is better than intensity. Try one of these European-friendly Portuguese platforms:

Here is a comprehensive list of some Portuguese language learning platforms from Portugalist.

3. Cultural Immersion 101

Adopt a new local habit. Swap your giant Americano for a tiny bica at the café counter, or trade your half-liter beer for a mini imperial (the Portuguese way). It’s about living smaller but richer, one sip at a time.

4. Autumn Fieldwork

Plan one seasonal adventure. Explore a hidden gem while the weather cools and the tourists thin out. Ideas:

5. Home Economics

Autumn is the time to get your home ready before winter sneaks up on you. A few “lessons” worth studying:

Autumn is the perfect semester to level up your expat life one small lesson at a time. Whether you’re conquering paperwork, sipping your bica like a true local, or sealing every sneaky draft in your home, consider this your personal syllabus for a smoother, cozier, and more Portuguese season ahead.

No back-to-school list would be complete without brushing up on your Portuguese! If you’re just starting out, Liz Sharma from Talk the Streets breaks it down in this video, showing exactly how to set goals, get the sounds right, focus on the most useful words, tackle grammar, and build daily habits that actually stick. Consider this your “language homework” for the season.

Thanks for reading! 💌

Hustle on!

Angelique🧞‍♀️

Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Don’t miss next week’s scoop by signing up here.

Disclaimer: The links I share are for products and services I’ve actually used and recommend. Sometimes, I get to share a referral link, which might throw a little reward my way—but never at your expense. You’ll pay the same price set by the supplier, no sneaky markups. My recommendations are always based on experience, not commissions. Thanks for supporting this newsletter—you rock!