Student Profiles
Ben McDaniel
Major: International Affairs
“Currently at the University of Georgia I am studying Portuguese, International Affairs, and Music. Oddly enough I was introduced to the Portuguese language by listening to my bass professor, Dr. Milton Masciadri, take calls and interact with exchange students who played bass and were Brazilian. I was always in awe that my bass professor knew over 4 languages. He always told me it was a great opportunity speaking to someone in their native language because you would be able to hear them express themselves truly and with ease. In a bass lesson one day Dr. Masciadri stopped to tell me about the Flagship program and he thought it would be a great opportunity. I applied and soon I was in Vermont in an emersion program speaking, writing, and relating with my colleagues in Portuguese. I plan to use my language skills in Portuguese to help me achieve my goal in knowing multiple languages and also to teach English in Brazil after I graduate. I am grateful for the support of all my teachers and directors for allowing me to be a part of this amazing program and I aspire to reach a level of proficiency that leaves me at ease reading, writing, and relating with all Portuguese speakers in the future.”
Daniel Masciadri
Major: Business/Nutrition
Daniel Walston
Major: Romance Languages/Bio Pre-Med
Daniela Roldan
Major: Advertising
Mateo Villa
Major: Romance Languages/Bio Pre-Med
“Oi gente tudo bem? I never really had any connection to Brazil before attending UGA, but it had always seemed like a fascinating country to me, which is why I enrolled in PORT 1001 my freshman year. That proved to be one of the best decisions I ever made, as it opened up an incredible number of doors and opportunities, including the Portuguese Flagship Program. As a Romance Languages/Biology double major who loves to travel, the PFP is the perfect program for me because it allows me to take both biology and Portuguese classes at the same time while studying abroad – something no other exchange program would have allowed me to do. What’s more, this program will be an invaluable asset to my upcoming medical school applications because it will set me apart from the sea of other applicants. After completing med school, it is my ultimate goal to use my language skills to help treat underserved populations both domestically and abroad. A recent study conducted by the Pew Hispanic Research Center found that “language barrier” is one of the top reasons that Latinos (both Hispanic and Brazilian) don’t seek medical care. One day, I hope to use my language skills acquired during the PFP to help reverse this trend and provide the Latino community with the treatment they need.”
Omar Pacheco
Major: Business/Management
“Oi meu nome e Omar Pacheco! As a student on track to major in International Business, the Portuguese Flagship Program is a great opportunity to experience not only the culture of a different country as great as Brazil but also gain a great work experience in a country with great economic growth. I’ve known how to speak Spanish since I was little thanks to my parents and started learning French in high school so I’ve always had a history with language and wanted to keep expanding my knowledge of languages. I always found Portuguese to be a beautiful language so when I heard about the program there was no question as to which language I wanted to learn next.”
Rachel Osnos
Major: Romance Languages
“I have always loved learning about other cultures, especially through the lens of another language. I first began studying Portuguese my freshman year to further pursue my love of languages as well as to study Brazil, an intersection between my International Affairs and Romance Languages majors. I was drawn to the Flagship Program because of the dual way I could apply everything I have learned at UGA: academic and professional experience. Not only will I be able to gain a deeper fluency in Brazilian Portuguese, I will also gain international professional experience. I hope to use my intercultural Flagship experience in a career where I will be able to help resolve global issues and conflicts.”
Tamar Schmidt
Major: Religion & LACS
“My decision to pursue the flagship portuguese program ties in directly with my interests in Latin American and Caribbean Studies. I am fascinated by the growing economy of Brazil and the relation the United States has in that regard. I have spent a few months in Brazil previously and have fallen in love with the nature of Brazil, Brazilian people and faith, the portuguese language in speech and music, and the variance in language depending on the social sphere. I lived in Paraguay for a year-long internship program and find Latin America to be familiar and warm. I am ecstatic to take this wonderful opportunity in order to learn more about such an influential and charismatic nation.”
