What we’re about
Lisbon is a city of light, color, and possibility, but let’s be real, expat life isn’t always pastel-tiled cafés and sunset cocktails. Behind the beauty of cobblestone streets and ocean views, it can also mean: loneliness, culture shock, Google-translating half your life, and pretending you totally understood the waiter when you didn’t.
This group was born from a simple fact: we thrive when we connect. From the casual “bom dia” to a neighbor, to a quick chat with Dona Maria at the corner grocery who somehow knows more about your life than you do (seriously get it together 😝), to late-night conversations with new friends, every interaction matters!
And here’s the thing: small talk counts. A smile to a stranger, a group of people sharing a moment with no pressure to belong.
Connection doesn’t always have to be “deep” to be meaningful. Trust and vulnerability take time, sometimes the first “hello” in a new country is already a heroic step.
🌍 Who we are
I’m Sofia Martins, your host. I’ve spent 10 years living in three different countries and know what it means to start over (with varying levels of success 🫣). As a psychotherapist, neuroscientist, and the founder of The Neuroscience of Dance (a global community of 57K+ people in 30+ countries), I’ve learned one thing: whether in therapy, dance, or simply over a glass of vinho verde, the magic happens when people feel safe enough to connect. This group is meant to be that space for you.
✨ What you’ll find here
This is more than a meetup group. It’s a community for expats and locals alike who want to:
Build meaningful friendships that last beyond a single night.
Explore Lisbon through culture, art, food, music, and nature.
Share stories and laughs that remind us we’re all gloriously human.
Support each other’s mental well-being and growth as we navigate this wild adventure abroad.
From cozy dinners to vibrant cultural excursions, wellness workshops to just walking by the river at sunset, our events are designed to be inclusive, heart-centered, and (let’s be honest) Instagram-worthy.
💌 Why join us?
Because you deserve to feel at home, no matter how far you are from where you started.
Here, you don’t need to perform. You don’t need to impress. You only need to bring yourself (underwear too, I mean is optional, but recommended).
This isn’t just a group. It’s your home away from home. ❤️
