Hello! My name is Justin Esperto and I am excited to share my journey with you from Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal. This semester, I am living with a host and fully immersing myself in Portuguese language and culture. The main purpose of this experience is to grow in the language, learn from the people around me, and participate in cultural exchange.
A few years ago, I was in high school just like you. I was not always sure where I was headed or what I was passionate about. But by staying curious and being open to new experiences, I discovered that learning can take you far beyond what you expect. Studying Spanish first led me to Spain last summer, and now my interest in Portuguese has brought me to Portugal for this Spring.
As I learn the language and experience daily life here, I am also paying attention to how culture shapes environmental decisions. The way people recycle, use energy, shop for food, and move through their cities reflects deeper values about responsibility and community. By observing these choices, we can compare how Portugal and the United States approach sustainability and resource management.
For me, caring about these questions is not just academic. It connects to how we think about responsibility, stewardship, and the kind of world we want to help build. Learning a language is not only about vocabulary and grammar. It is about understanding how people live, what they value, and how those values influence real decisions, including environmental ones.
I hope this journey shows you that education is not limited to textbooks. Culture, language, science, and ethics all intersect in real life. I look forward to learning with you and exploring how global perspectives can deepen our understanding of sustainability and our role in the world.
Want to know more about how you can study or intern abroad when you are a college student? The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Learn more about the scholarship by visiting www.gilmanscholarship.org.
