Sabrina C   

★★★★★

Language Tutor (Italian and English as a foreign language)

What is your favorite word in your language and why?

My favorite word in Italian is 'mare', meaning 'sea'. Just like the actual sea, the word 'mare' evokes in me a sense of tranquility and freedom. The word itself is short, only two syllables, but it captures so much meaning since I immediately connects it to what it's like to stand in front of the sea: the waves crashing on the sand and the rocks, the seagulls screeching, the sun shining on the water like glitter. Even the sound of the word itself is gentle and calm but also strong, just like the sea itself. I also like it because I immediately think about one of my favourite poems, l'Infinito by Giacomo Leopardi, which ends with the word 'mare'.

What is your favorite dish from your hometown? If you no longer live there is there a good local restaurant that serves it?

My favorite dish from my hometown is 'risotto ai frutti di mare', which is rice with mixed seafood. Alghero, the town where I live, is known for its local fish (since it's a sea town and all) and I love the fact that 'il risotto' is made with local fish captured on the same morning you eat it. You can eat it at a local restaurant or cook it at home, although it's a little elaborate to cook at home so my family and I usually eat it on special occasions, usually on Sunday or during a holiday in the summer, like Ferragosto.

Besides the languages you teach, do you speak or study any other languages?

I speak and understand a little Spanish and a little French, but I'm a beginner level at both.

What are your interests outside of teaching at Strommen?

I'm an avid reader, especially of fantasy and mystery books. I also like to write fiction (I have a degree in Creative Writing) and I love to swim. In fact, I used to do competitive swimming when I was younger. I'm also interested in graphic design and I'm trying to learn how to draw digitally (with mixed results).

What do you consider your hometown? Why do you love it?

I consider Alghero my hometown, although I wasn't born there. I moved to Alghero when I was 14 and I've loved it ever since. I love Alghero because it's a small town but there's everything you need and, of course, because the sea is a 5 minutes walk from my house. In the summer there are a lot of tourists from all over the world and that's great because I love interacting with foreign people, they all have such interesting stories. I love travelling but I don't always have the chance to so it's nice that the outside world comes to you during the holiday season, it makes me feel less isolated, more connected with the world.