Portia Uwase Zuba

Portia Uwase Zuba '21

Pronouns

she/her

Degree and Class Year

BA ’21

Hometown

Kigali, Rwanda

Major

Economics

Extracurriculars

International Students of Lewis & Clark (ISLC) board, Intervarsity, Bollywood Club

What three words would you use to describe L&C?

Challenging, Enlightening, Beautiful

What’s your favorite class? How has it expanded your knowledge?

That is a very difficult question as I am yet to take more classes and explore more. That said, my favorite professor so far has been Elizabeth Bennett of the International Affairs department. She has taught me to analyze the world critically beyond my own opinions. She has encouraged all of her students to understand the world better and their peer’s opinions through encouraging conversation, research, and debate in class. My favorite class has been as More than Bollywood with professor Kaley Mason. As a Bollywood fanatic, it was very insightful to learn about Bollywood in an academic setting and how intertwined it is with the economy and the political and social atmosphere of India. It was a very fun class that has encouraged me to engage with pieces of art by being an active audience.

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

Lewis & Clark college had a very nice vibe. The students in the college video emphasized the importance of academics yet they also emphasized the importance of fun time. The balance of strong academics and other activities made Lewis & Clark stand out to me. Moreover, my interactions with the international students and scholars office showed me that this was a place where my opinions and space would be respected and valued as an international student.

How did you choose your overseas program? What has your overseas study added to your L&C experience so far?

I will study in Senegal in the spring of 2019. I chose this program because of my French professors. Lewis and Clark has excellent language professors and it amazes me how much I have been able to learn in such a short period of time. Since I want to minor in French, studying in Senegal will give me the experience I need to be more comfortable speaking French and it will also help me fulfill the minor requirements. It is also in Africa which means I will get to escape the rain for a whole semester.

Tell me about the basket that you’re holding in your photos.

This basket is a piece of home I brought with me when I came here. A basket is also one of the highly exported goods in Rwanda. For some strange reason, I also consider myself an export as I have com to study here with the aim of getting the required skills, experiences, and knowledge so that I can collaborate with many other Rwandans at home and elsewhere to help Rwanda get to the next level of development.