Portuguese School Remarks

For just over a year now, I have worked as the Literatures and Cultures Librarian at Middlebury College. In addition to being the primary library liaison to the Language Schools, I also serve various language departments and programs during the school year, students who frequent the Anderson Freeman Center (the multicultural student center on campus) and the Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies program. Since studying with the Portuguese School, I have encountered a good deal of rewarding opportunities that have allowed me to meaningfully use the language:

• designing a multilingual web comic, Roupa Suja XXI (Dirty Laundry 21)
• reading works by Brazilian author and humorist Luís Fernando Veríssimo
• publishing an original story, Julieta procura Heimlich, in Jangada
• translating Angolan and Mozambican comic strips for Africa Cartoons
• developing a Portuguese-language guide for the University of Illinois
• purchasing graphic novels, comics and literature for the Davis Family Library’s Portuguese language browsing collection
• participating in the Portuguese House’s cultural activities on the Middlebury campus, and more!

I love the impact the Portuguese School has had on me as it has prepared me to engage in critical discourses concerning a broad variety of global communities. Moreover, with the literacy skills I gained, I can confidently pursue independent study outside of the classroom. I am also convinced that the experience gave me a competitive edge in helping me to secure the great job I have now. The Language Schools prove their merit over and over again and the Portuguese School is no exception to this rule.

Katrina Spencer
Portuguese School 2014