Hana Menkari
CAS ’27
International Relations
GRIP: Legal Research at University of of Minho Law School
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Experiencing an abroad environment alone for the first time felt surreal and, at times, lonely. Yet, with every abroad experience, there are always those converging feelings of excitement and fear. Being an identical twin sister who didn’t go to the same university as my sister, I felt as though this abroad experience would be an additional stepstone for me to seek my own individuality in a foreign environment.
While exploring the streets of Portugal’s two vastly different cities—Braga, Portugal’s oldest city, and Porto, Portugal’s liveliest and most youthful city—I quickly learned the value of taking in and appreciating each city’s individual lifestyles, pace, and identity.
My Experience Abroad
As a newly declared IR major, I appreciated the vast spectrum of topics that branched from my overarching research topic which focuses primarily on Children Civil Rights within Immigration Policy. Considering that my major focuses on geopolitical dynamics, I was able to research the how policy of the United States compared to that of the EU, which allowed me to understand the differing immigration policies that affect mixed-status families and migrant families.
My professor, Rossana Martingo Cruz, is specialized in children civil rights, and encouraged me to explore immigration policy within my topic. The flexibility of my position and research allowed me to really delve into the effects of immigration on domestic and foreign civilians.
Other Highlights
- Experiencing the Festa de Sao Joao where we appreciate the youthfulness, playfulness, and liveliness of the city of Porto. I engaged in a fun head-bonking activity with a toy hammer, a tradition in Porto.
- Enjoying the beauty and history of the Roman Festival, especially in the first two weeks of the program start date.
- Learning about the history of Madeira Island and how many hikers hike the Stairway to Heaven.
