A Casa de Português: On-Campus Portuguese-Language Living
Experience living in a house where you can speak Portuguese with other Macalester students! Here you will be able to attend cultural events, learn about other Lusophone countries, and practice new skills all in a warm community!
The Portuguese Program sponsors a campus house for students interested in living in a Portuguese-speaking environment. Residents speak only Portuguese in the house. One Program Assistant lives in the house to supervise and help organize various activities. The residence is intended for students who have declared a Portuguese minor, want to immerse themselves in the language before studying away, or who have come back from studying away and want to maintain their language skills. Residents should have achieved at least an intermediate level of proficiency, which means they must have completed PORT 221. Students must take a course in the Portuguese Program each semester they live in the house.
Students who live in the Portuguese Language House are not required to be on a campus meal plan, although some decide to purchase the meal plan anyway. Applicants can choose between one single- and one double-occupancy room.
Residents of the Portuguese Language House will celebrate a variety of cultures from the Lusophone world through a number of events and activities that will also be open to the Macalester community.
Additionally, the house can be used as a hospitality center for distinguished scholars who are visiting the department.
Want to Live int he Portuguese Language House during the 2025/2026 Academic Year?
Students who are interested in living in our Language House must apply through Residential Life’s Living Learning Community (LLC) Application. When filling out your application please indicate which houses you are interested in living in. The LLC application is the only application you will need to fill out. Residential Life, and our department, will work together on the selection process and notification. Please note, the application closes on February 24th at 9:00am. Students will be notified of their placement March 10th by 4:30pm. Students will need to accept or reject their placement by March 12th before 4:30 pm.
Residents must have completed PORT 221, agree to speak Portuguese in the house, and take a course in the Portuguese Program each semester they live in the house.
Contact
Contact our Portuguese Language House faculty liaison, Prof. Fernanda Bartolomei-Merlin if you have any questions.
Casa de Português
204 S. Vernon Street
St. Paul, MN 55105
