Culture meets team spirit: Students discover Porto

From May 12 to 16, 2025, students from the part-time, pt master's degree program in Sports, Culture & Event Management at FH Kufstein Tirol traveled to the Portuguese city of Porto, accompanied by program director Asc. Prof. (FH) Mag. Monika Kohlhofer and Angela Scalet, BA, research fellow for the program. This study trip was a real highlight for the group: it provided insights into the international world of sports, culture, and event management and offered opportunities for cultural exchange, the expansion of personal networks, and shared, unforgettable experiences. The aim of the trip was to get to know international players in the industries.

On the streets of Porto

Right at the start, the tour group got to know Porto in a special way: on a guided street art tour through the Cedofeita district, they discovered colorful murals and critical graffiti. The fact that public urban space is freely used as a communication platform for various topics such as politics, identity, and consumer criticism clearly shows how art and freedom of expression have always shaped the city's history.

The next item on the agenda was a visit to the traditional sardine factory Nuri in the coastal town of Matosinhos. There, the students gained insights into the artisanal production of this delicacy, which has been deliberately carried out by hand since 1920—a legacy that connects generations. From fresh fish to artistic packaging, they were able to experience the entire production process and enjoy the variety of sardines during the final tasting. Sardines are a symbol of Portuguese identity. Of the more than 50 sardine production factories in the 1970s, only two remain today. The visit to Nuri Sardines, saved from closure in 2017 by Austrian Jakob Glatz through acquisitions, impressively demonstrated how traditional craftsmanship, social responsibility, and successful marketing concepts can save small traditional companies.

A melodious highlight

The tour continued with a melodious highlight: a visit to the Casa da Mùsica. The futuristic-looking building offered the students an educational insight into the architecture and acoustics of event venues. In order to achieve outstanding acoustics in the various concert halls, architect Koolhaas breaks with the traditional shoe-box format by using large, wave-shaped glass surfaces and opens up the interior visually to the city and vice versa with transparent walls. According to architecture critic Ouroussoff, the building is an impressive work of art with sensual beauty that can be seen from afar.

“For me, apart from the picturesque trip to the Douro Valley, the highlight of the study trip was the Parque de Serralves with its 18.4 hectares of gardens and the museum of contemporary art,” says course director Asc. Prof. (FH) Monika Kohlhofer. “The integration of art, nature, and architecture in a historical context is unparalleled.”

Of course, sport was not neglected on the study trip for aspiring sports managers. A tour of the FC Porto stadium and a lecture on psychological work with the club's youth players provided insights into the work of a top club behind the scenes.

Formative impressions

These diverse impressions made the study trip an intense experience. In addition to the professional input, it was above all a space for community and team spirit. A particularly lively highlight was the self-organized paddle tennis tournament. This trendy sport from Spain and Portugal brought everyone together, whether beginners or experienced players, and created a strong sense of togetherness with a lot of fun.

Porto not only impressed as a city, but also left a lasting impression on the group. The students returned with many unforgettable experiences – full of motivation to apply their newly gained knowledge to future projects.

Links:

• Sports, Culture & Event Management | pt