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Stepping up to Global Challenges (SGC) aimed to provide students with opportunities for language practice through task-based learning activities and the use of digital platforms for interaction. Marketing students at the Polytechnic of Viseu, Portugal, collaborated with peers from Poland and Turkey, choosing an image on entrepreneurship and posting it on the SGC Facebook page to solicit comments from their own and other groups. This was one of the tasks assigned during the 2nd semester of 2019/20, under the constraints of COVID-19. We analyzed the students’ choices, main difficulties, and motivation to persist in learning and improving their skills to share knowledge with (inter)national peers.

Sirenomelia, also known as “mermaid malformation/syndrome,” is a rare, serious congenital anomaly characterized by variable degrees of fusion of the lower limbs and associated with severe malformations of vertebral, genitourinary, cardiovascular system and single umbilical artery. The first pregnancy of a 25-year-old woman resulted in one twin born by Cesarian section at 32 weeks’ gestation, who was referred to our hospital with cyanosis, a congenital anomaly and respiratory distress. On physical examination, there was no urogenital region and anal fissure and gender was indeterminate. The arms were in adduction and wrist in flexion position with four fingers on the right hand and two fingers on the left hand. There was a single lower extremity with a webbed single foot and two toes consistent with sirenomelia type IV radiologically. Abdominal ultrasonography showed urogenital system agenesis and echocardiography detected hypoplastic left heart. However, the patient died 4 hours after birth. The other twin was followed for 1 week for nutrition and respiratory support and was then discharged without any problems.