Reconnecting with My Portuguese Roots

By: Madison Dias

The most meaningful experience I’ve had during this trip has been the redefining of my relationship with Portugal and my Portuguese heritage. I grew up two blocks away from my Portuguese grandparents, so I felt very connected with my roots as a child. They are from Gumiei, Viseu, and Vila Praia de Âncora. Growing up, my grandparents often shared stories about their lives in Portugal, and our family gatherings were filled with Portuguese food, music, and traditions. I even visited Portugal twice as a child, in 2012 and 2014. Those trips were filled with wonder and joy, and they left me with a strong sense of pride in my heritage.

However, as I grew older, things changed. I began to feel disconnected when I no longer frequently visited this side of my family during my teenage years. This distance completely altered my relationship with what it means to be Portuguese. I was no longer engaging in any Portuguese culture, language, or traditions. My sense of identity became fragmented, and I struggled to reconcile this loss. When my grandfather passed away in 2023, I realized just how much I had drifted and made it my goal to reconnect with this important part of myself.

Now, after spending almost three months in Portugal, I can say with certainty that I feel Portuguese, and I have only positive sentiments toward this reconnection. Being able to speak Portuguese with my grandmother, great aunts who reside here, and random people in cafes, restaurants, university, and on the street, has been transformative. It’s not just about the language—it’s about the shared cultural understanding and the warmth of these interactions. Specifically, through meeting peers my age here in Portugal, I’ve realized that despite being American, I’ve experienced many of the same cultural practices they have. From family traditions to shared values, these connections have shown me that being Portuguese is not about where you live but how you carry your heritage with you.

This connection has allowed me the privilege of engaging with the local Portuguese community in ways that differ from others. I appreciate this deeply, as it has led me to develop meaningful relationships with peers, strangers, and coworkers alike. This journey has been a reminder that heritage is alive and dynamic, a part of us that grows as we do.

If you are Portuguese and are looking to come to Portugal for similar reasons as me, I recommend it one hundred percent. There is nothing quite like immersing yourself in the culture of your ancestors to rediscover and embrace the essence of who you are.

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