We are thrilled to announce that our very own Rafael Ponciano will be beginning a Masters’ degree in Spanish in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Toronto come this September. Rafael is graduating this April with a B.A. Honours in Spanish and Latin American Studies and three Minors (Music, German, and Cultural Identities).
When asked what he hopes to gain from his Masters’, Rafael said that he is looking forward to being part of the critical conversations that directly affect the lived experiences of Latin American communities within and without the Spanish-speaking world.
Earlier this year, Rafael was featured in The Catalyst, where he already hinted about a possible topic for grad school: “I’m hoping to study the ability we have, to use someone’s pronouns in English without changing too much of the spoken language, in comparison to a gendered language like Spanish. It’s important to respect someone’s identity with the language we use, especially as we take Spanish courses.”
We are convinced that given his background and inquisitiveness, Rafael will succeed in any project he takes on.
Congratulations, Rafael!