Princess Leonor’s younger sister will move to Portugal before September 8 to begin her degree in Political Science and International Relations at Forward College.
This international institution, created just three years ago by former French leaders, promises an unconventional academic experience, as students rotate through three European capitals during their three-year degree program.
After Lisbon, they will move on to Paris and Berlin, making each year a different cultural immersion.
Forward College’s educational model focuses on small groups of just 15 students per class, weekly personalized tutorials, and a methodology that combines academic rigor with cultural exploration.
The 150 students participate in field trips, collaborate with local organizations, and attend lectures by guest experts.
The idea is that each city becomes an extension of the classroom, allowing young people to understand politics and international relations from real and diverse contexts.
Infanta Sofia’s academic calendar
Following the orientation week that begins on September 8, classes will start on the 22nd of the same month. The first break will come at the end of October with a “reading week,” followed by the Christmas holidays, which will run from December 19 to January 11, 2026, with classes resuming on Monday, January 12.
Portuguese holidays such as Restoration of Independence Day and Portugal Day will also mark the calendar, offering opportunities for Sofia to return temporarily to Spain.
Exams will be spread over three periods between February and June, with the school year ending on June 19 when students bid farewell to Lisbon.
By then, the princess will have completed the first stage of an education that promises to be as cosmopolitan as it is challenging, preparing her for her next destination: Paris.
Important dates in Sofia’s academic calendar
Start of the academic year:
Sofia must be in Lisbon before September 8 for “Introduction Week” (September 8–19). Classes begin on Monday, September 22.
Holidays and public holidays during the first year:
- First week off: October 27–November 2 (“Reading Week”).
- Long weekends: December 1 and 8.
- Christmas break: December 19–January 11.
- Easter break: April 3–12.
- Other public holidays in Portugal: June 1, 4, 10, and 13.
Exam dates and end of the academic year:
- Three periods reserved for exams: February–March, April–June, and June 1–19.
- End of the first year in Lisbon: June 19, 2026.
- Translated with DeepL.com (free version)