At the door, the queues grew with hundreds of anxious faces that peered through the glass trying to anticipate what was waiting for them. At the entrance of FIL and already inside, a carpet representing the spirit of solidarity with Ukraine. In the same front line, two great titans showing the initial image: the Universities of Lisbon and Nova were receiving the first visitors.
Groups of schools from different parts of the country entered, some randomly strolling and others with a surgical presence in the course they intend to choose.
Within the large square reserved for the University of Lisbon, the Faculty of Medicine was in a hidden corner, but not away from prying eyes. High-school students and teachers went on real study visits, duly separated into small sub-groups, that is by areas of interest. On the first day of the team, divided between students and staff of the Faculty of Medicine, André took on the role of public relations, like a tourist guide of a promising place that attracts the most distracted or indecisive. Occupying the 9 m2 booth, the pair of students and employees were divided into communication blocks, the target message was the same, the strength of working on a campus between hospital, university, and research.
The preparations started on 29 March, among boxes full of flyers with all the information about the Integrated Master in Medicine (MIM) and Degree in Nutrition Sciences (LCN), and AEFML, and boxes with bags that would be used to put merchandising to offer to the students interested in this Faculty, such as squeeze me, pencils and post-it notes.
The car was filling up, while we stood in front of the hospital, on the 2nd floor, "arguing" that not everything would fit. But it did fit, and the car went full of boxes and with several anatomical models, some on Cristina’s lap. But that didn't stop the good mood and lots of laughs!
On March 30, everything was ready to receive the high school students and the same happened on the following days!
For 4 days the ritual was the same: open the stand and prepare the Anatomy models, flyers and merchandising ready. Before the entrance of the students, the same faces of the neighbouring Faculties would return, the competitors, with varied forms of communication and for all kinds of public. From live music, to dance shows, to military demonstrations on how to hold a gun, or train defence, were just some of the possible scenarios to find.
During Futurália, along with the usual tiredness, there was always good mood and team spirit, the main ingredient for success.
Students and staff, regardless of their department of origin, were united in a common goal, to promote our School.
Cristina Bastos | Joana Sousa | Leonel Gomes
Editorial Team
