Xavier Cunha: “Universidade Católica has been like a home to me and a source of pride.”

You’re studying for a Double Degree in Law and Management. What motivated you to choose this program?

The Double Degree made sense to me from the moment I first learned about it, back in high school. On the one hand, I was fascinated by Law from an early age, largely due to my father’s influence; on the other, around the age of 15, I started developing an interest in Economics and Management, encouraged by my mother. With this background, and a clear inclination toward Social Sciences and Humanities, the Double Degree became a unique opportunity to bring together two passions.
In my lifetime, I believe what will set human beings apart from algorithms is the development of broad knowledge. The ability to connect concepts from different fields and to understand the relationships between them in society is key. From my perspective, this program offers the best chance to cultivate that ability in Portugal.

In what ways do you think Law and Management complement each other?

Law is the foundation of human civilization. In the first classes of Introduction to the Study of Law, we learn that its purpose is to organize life in society and to drive its transformation toward an ideal of justice. Given this, anyone passionate about the Social Sciences, about studying human beings in their relationship with others, will find in Law the core of their curiosity.
Management, in turn, brings contact with the dynamic reality of human interaction regarding goods. I became interested in how economic interactions reflect deep aspects of human nature. For example, the phrase “when demand increases, price rises, ceteris paribus,” clearly expresses humanity’s perception of scarcity, value, and competition.
Today, I believe what truly adds value to someone, both professionally and personally, is the ability not to confine oneself to a single field of knowledge, but to relate different disciplines and engage in meaningful conversation with people from diverse backgrounds. A Double Degree student would feel equally at home in a courtroom, a central bank, a stock exchange, or an industrial company. For me, nothing is more exciting than that versatility.

How has your experience at Universidade Católica been?

My first contact with Católica happened back in high school, during the open days. From that moment, I was struck by the personalized attention given to each student and by the sense that I was encountering a truly distinctive institution, one defined by ethical values and academic excellence.
Since then, the Universidade Católica has been, for me, a home and a source of pride. I particularly value the closeness between students, professors, and staff: there’s a shared spirit, a sense of responsibility that comes with being “Católica.” I believe that the more we get involved and take advantage of everything the University offers, the stronger our connection to the institution becomes.
The Pastoral activities, through UDIP and Missão País, have also played a major role in my experience, fostering my integral personal growth. Católica identity is undoubtedly a defining feature that can truly shape the life of any student seeking more than just an academic journey.
I must also highlight the relationships I’ve built with many professors, true examples of closeness, care, and rigor. They are a big part of what makes Católica different: here, no student is just a number, but a person with a name and a face, discovering their path with the support of everyone around them.

You’ve been involved in several extracurricular activities linked to the University…

In my first year, I had a brief experience with the Católica Policy Society, a public policy club whose growth I continue to follow with joy. Since 2023, I’ve been part of Missão País, a Catholic volunteer project for university students. Within the Católica Mission, I took on leadership roles as a team head in 2024 and 2025.
This experience was essential, especially at the beginning, in helping me feel at home within the University, meeting new people, and significantly developing my planning, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

You are a recipient of the Gulbenkian Foundation’s “New Talents” Scholarship. What did that experience mean to you?

The New Talents Scholarship aims to provide undergraduate or early master students with their first contact with the world of research. For me, it opened up a completely new world, awakening my passion and allowing me to meet many brilliant young people of my generation. Within the scope of the scholarship, I conducted a research project in Political Science, studying aspects of social assistance discussed by various thinkers and their future perspectives.

You are currently on Erasmus in Rome. How has that experience been so far?

I chose to do my Erasmus at Luiss Guido Carli University in Rome. The città eterna has so much to offer and, although I’ve only been here for a month, I feel I’ve still seen just a small part of it. As my first mid-term experience abroad, it naturally brings challenges, the biggest being learning Italian, but also the joy of living surrounded by history at every corner.
I also confirmed something I once thought was a cliché: there’s a Portuguese person in every corner of the world (and here, quite a few)! That sense of proximity has helped me live this experience with a strong sense of community. Academically, Luiss Guido Carli offers an approach quite different from that of Portuguese universities, which has prompted me to adapt my study methods, becoming more flexible and proactive in my pursuit of knowledge, both inside and outside the classroom.

What are your plans for your professional future?

The Double Degree, thanks to its breadth and interdisciplinarity, opens many doors, which makes it difficult to choose just one path among so many. I’ve noticed, in myself and my classmates, that our interests and perspectives evolve throughout our studies.
At present, I’m drawn to three main areas: law, academia, and political or public service, always with the intention of working for the common good. I’m aware that, unlike my parents’ generation, who often spent their entire careers in a single job, today’s careers are more dynamic and fluid, bringing new opportunities. I’m sure my future will involve one or more of these areas.