English for Academic Purposes Award Recipient: Diogo Dias 

Diogo Dias, recipient of the Spring 2019 English for Academic Purposes Completion Award for meeting his English Language Proficiency requirements by completing the EAP Program, came to uLethbridge from Brazil with intentions to continue his studies, and began studying Accounting at the Dhillon School of Business in Summer, 2019.

Diogo was chosen as this term’s recipient because, according to Adriana Lima, his EAP instructor, "Diogo's is an extremely hardworking student whose passion for learning and persistence to keep improving are admirable. His positive attitude and work ethics are the pillars of his academic success".

Diogo is an avid volunteer with Volunteer Lethbridge, and has found that engaging in various volunteer activities has helped him overcome the language and cultural barriers he experienced after initially arriving in Lethbridge. He first started volunteering in positions where he wasn't required to speak much, but soon embraced more interactive opportunities. He believes learning about the Canadian way of life is just as important as learning English, and volunteering has helped him to do this. Volunteering became a routine for Diogo, where he met new friends and found himself immersing in the Lethbridge community. Through volunteering, Diogo was able to improve his English communication and excel in the EAP program.