Alyssa Botelho is a screenwriter and filmmaker, conducting research for a feature-length screenplay set in the Azores during World War I, exploring Portugal–U.S. relations through a family history lens. The Fulbright Research Grant with the support of the Azores Regional Government will keep Alyssa connected to her Portuguese roots in São Miguel, until the end of May 2026.
Alyssa shares how her Fulbright experience has been so far:
« Since arriving, I’ve been conducting historical research with former Ponta Delgada city councilman Sérgio Rezendes, who has generously taken me to several sites across São Miguel connected to World War I. He’s an incredible wealth of knowledge, and I’ve been spending a great deal of time reading his books, The Great War in the Azores and A Grande Guerra nos Açores: Património e Memória Militar, which have been invaluable to my research.
Alongside this, I’ve been reading Antes que a Memória se Apague: Crónicas de Água de Pau by my new friend Roberto Medeiros. These chapters have been meaningful not only as a way to strengthen my Portuguese, but also as a window into personal stories of the islanders. Lagoa, in particular, holds special significance, as it’s the Sister City of my hometown, Fairhaven, Massachusetts. In my role as Fairhaven’s Director of Tourism, Community & Economic Development, I’ve been actively working to strengthen the Sister City tie during my time here.
As part of that effort, I had the opportunity to meet with Lagoa’s Senhor Presidente Frederico Furtado Sousa and Vereadora Albertina Oliveira to explore new and exciting paths forward for this relationship.
I’ve also been doing genealogical research! My great-grandparents were raised on São Miguel, and over time my family lost touch with our Azorean roots. Pulling records, uncovering names, and piecing together my family history has been exciting. I’ve been especially drawn to learning more about my great-grandmother, Mary Ferreira Medeiros, who was raised in Povoação. My grandmother remembers her as a kind woman who spoke little English and was known for cooking wonderful fish — details that have made this research feel especially personal.
Overall, I’m just so grateful to be here. Doing this research and creative work living in São Miguel, forming new friendships, and learning from the people here feels incredibly special — it truly feels like I’m living a dream.»
– Thank you, Alyssa! – we look forward to seeing what lies ahead for you.