When he arrived in Portugal in 2023, “my dreams were to integrate well into Portuguese society, take a vocational course and find a job as an electrician or bus driver. But the Universidade Católica Portuguesa scholarship for refugees and the programme changed everything in my mind in a positive way: my outlook on life, my way of thinking about management and economics, and my dreams”, shares Balla Moussa Conde.

Originally from Guinea-Bissau and now 20 years old, Balla is currently in his second year of the Bachelor’s degree in Management at Católica Porto Business School. But the path to get here was not without challenges. “Before arriving in Portugal, I lived in Greece as an underage refugee for nine months. When I arrived, I thought my life in Portugal would be the same as it had been in Greece, with racism, inequality and a lack of opportunities for underage refugees.”

Fortunately, it was quite the opposite. Today, Balla is confident that “Portugal is one of the most welcoming countries, with multicultural, friendly people who respect human rights.”

Coming to Portugal also meant the opportunity to continue his studies. “I chose Católica Porto Business School because it was the only university that allowed me to believe in my dream. This School helps me whenever I need it, and I am very grateful for that,” says Balla.

The best moment so far was achieving this milestone, and “that motivated me even more to believe in myself and in my dream of working for one of the world’s largest financial institutions,” he recalls.

“I have hope for the future. With the help of Católica Porto Business School, Aldeias de Crianças SOS, Espírito Santo and my perseverance, the Lord will guide me to success,” he says hopefully.

This programme is part of the national effort to welcome and integrate refugees and of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations. The Initiative to Support Refugee Students was recognised as a Good Practice by the Global Compact on Refugees.