As the fall semester comes to an end, Anisa Pontes is approaching her final semester at UW-Madison and as a member of the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board. Growing up as a Madison local, Anisa was eager to discover the new opportunities which UW-Madison would entail. She now reflects on her experiences of growth such as the roles she's held as a member of WASB, her main-character moment when studying abroad in Portugal, as well as her goals for the future.
As a new member of WASB this past semester, I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to learn more about Anisa’s experiences. One thing that I have learned this semester as a new member is that turning to a fellow member and asking questions can be an extremely valuable experience. Each member of WASB– and student at UW-Madison– have unique experiences that shaped them into the person that they have become.
Joining WASB during the Spring semester of her freshman year, Anisa was passionate about finding a place within the UW-Madison community that she could define as her safe space. “My cousin introduced me to the organization and presented WASB as a place that helps you find your voice and your community. Being the lost freshman that I was, I decided to apply and hope for the best.” Beginning as a Community and Campus Engagement co-chair, she developed a partnership with Slow Foods, to engage the campus community on topics of food sustainability and food culture. Although the semester’s initiatives were disrupted by COVID-19, Anisa was pleased with the results of what her team accomplished and how WASB managed to adapt to the sudden change. “The beauty of WASB is that the month and a half I had was a sufficient enough time for me to feel like I had found my stride and place on campus,” she says.
When school resumed, Anisa shifted to a more permanent standing as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion co-chair. As a BIPOC student, she felt that her time would be best served on the DEI team, where she could attempt to support the demands of the BIPOC community of UW-Madison with the support and connection to WAA. “I shifted my energy internally towards more passionate efforts of holding workshops within WASB that were intentional in forming concrete steps toward making our organization less performative. Instead, we worked to analyze the lack of general diversity both on campus and within the organization, and how we could continue to make an inclusive and welcoming space for all students.” Anisa is excited to see the new opportunities that her team brings when she returns from abroad.
Anisa sadly had to extend a farewell to her WASB family this past semester as she studied abroad in Portugal. As an international studies student with certificates in public policy and global health, she chose to take classes in the Portuguese language with a focus on grammar, oral, and pronunciation. While studying Portuguese culture, she stresses that the time spent away from familiarity has been a defining opportunity for personal growth. Likewise, being immersed in an environment that has always been a part of Anisa’s identity allowed her to understand herself in a more definite manner. She expressed, “Abroad has been a series of emotions that is hard to conform into one sentence or even a paragraph. I will say despite any of the negative moments, I would not change a single moment because I know how grateful I am to have been given the opportunity to meet the people I have and immerse myself into a different culture.” Reflecting on her time spent abroad, Anisa realizes the importance of immersing herself in opportunities that are unfamiliar to her. “Being someone who grew up in the same city I currently go to college has given me the privilege of having all my resources, family, friends, and a good education, within my radius. However, sometimes it made me feel stagnant in my “growth.” Thus, abroad for me confirmed it is the best and sometimes the scariest opportunity to challenge yourself into becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable while also becoming more confident of yourself —which will inevitably hone so much growth.”
When asked about her long-term goal, Anisa wants to establish and maintain a healthy balance between work and life. Her college experience has offered what feels like an endless amount of meaningful moments. All WASB members have specific times that are momentous from the rest. “My favorite memory on WASB is All Campus Party week. The energy that is formed that week is truly unmatched and I cannot wait to run back again this year!” When returning to campus this Spring, Anisa is thrilled to make the maximum amount of memories that she can form. Her advice for new members joining WASB remains as a tribute to her younger self– a time when she felt hesitant, inspired, and eager all at once. “My best advice to give to freshmen is whenever you start to doubt yourself just remember that you were selected to be in this space for a reason which means there are 64 people who have and will always see your potential. See you all so soon <3.”
By Addyson Farias
Marketing Team, Wasblog Co-Chair