Ashley Coleman

Instil Inglês Corporativo Language School, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Ashley Coleman is a Business English instructor at a local language cooperative in Porto Alegre in the south of Brazil, Instil Inglês Corporativo Language School. After graduating from Tulane in 2010, she planned to backpack through Brazil for several months, but upon arriving in Porto Alegre, she ended up seeking employment, acquiring the necessary work visas and staying on as a teacher, primarily for local business people and other professionals.

Ashley’s Latin American Studies major helped prepare her for her life abroad…

Why did you choose to major in Latin American Studies?‘€¨
After having already cultivated a strong interest in Spanish language in high school, the major in Latin American Studies called to me right from the onset of my freshman year. Drawn to the idea that I would continue gaining proficiency in the language while also engaging in coursework that analyzes the cultural, historical, and political aspects of the Hispanophone world, the interdisciplinary nature of the Stone Center‘€™s Undergraduate Program gave me the luxury of staying true to my research interests without having to make a commitment to a specific discipline.

How has your background in LAST helped you since graduation?‘€¨
Given that my initial plan was to only backpack through Brazil for several months, my current position as an expat English teacher was obviously an unplanned surprise. However, the decision to travel to Brazil was actually four years in the making, as influenced by my Brazil-related coursework at Tulane. The discussions I have with my friends and students on topics such as the Bolsa Escola program and the legacy of Tim Maia reflect a sense of cultural sensitivity and understanding that has made me feel like an integrated member of life here, even before learning Portuguese.

In hindsight, what would have you done differently as an LAST major?
In retrospect, I would have definitely taken Portuguese language courses at Tulane. I would have also taken even greater advantage of the variety of courses offered within the interdisciplinary structure of the undergraduate program.

Any words of wisdom for LAST undergraduates?
My recommendation to current Latin American Studies undergraduates is to focus on a region or set of issues and try to examine this topic through a variety of lenses. It will help guide your specific interests from both an academic and personal perspective for years to come.