Fulbright Teaching Assistant Brings the Richness of Brazilian Culture to UGA Students

Welcome to Laura de Brito Mallmann! This is her first semester teaching Portuguese to UGA students as a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FTLA) in the Department of Romance Languages. She shares her reflections on the importance of language learning and culture:

I was born and raised in a small town in Rio Grande do Sul, where the community shaped much of who I am today. Growing up, everyone in my neighborhood knew each other, so I had a strong sense of belonging. However, even at a young age, I felt the need to explore beyond my surroundings. Books and languages became my windows to the world, helping me broaden my horizons and feed my curiosity.
After high school, I pursued a degree in Portuguese, English, and Literature at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), one of the top institutions in the country. Moving to a bigger city exposed me to a mix of people from different parts of the state and across Brazil. During my time at UFRGS, I joined the Portuguese for Foreigners Program, where I gained experience teaching people from all over the world. Despite our different backgrounds, we were able to connect through universal themes in literature, film, and music.
After graduation, I worked as an English teacher for five years, teaching children, teenagers, and adults. While I loved teaching English, I found myself missing the unique experience of teaching my own language and sharing the richness of my culture. That’s why I was thrilled to learn about the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program.
Being a Fulbright scholar has been an incredible opportunity. I’ve been able to meet people from around the world in and outside the classroom, all while immersing myself in a completely new environment. Though I’ve only been in the U.S. for two months, Athens already feels like home. I’m looking forward to the rest of the semester and all the exciting classes and events ahead!