George DaPonte

George works with students from all over the world, but primarily Latin America, Asia, Europe, Canada, the Middle East and the Caribbean (non-English speaking).
Contact George at gdaponte@ut.edu or facebook.com/UTGeorge

Hometown: Portuguese by birth, but grew up in Fall River, MA

High School: Durfee High School 

Alma Mater: University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth (bachelor's), School of International Service at American University–Washington, DC (master's)

Degree: Bachelor's in political science/Spanish and master's in cross-cultural communication 

Collegiate Activities: Spanish Club, Study Abroad Club, Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society

Favorite Thing About UT: The long history of producing fine members of society both domestically and globally. Plant Hall is really cool too. Where else can you work and study in one of the finest examples of Moorish architecture in the Western Hemisphere?

Favorite Spot in Tampa: Where ever there are good friends.

Best Place to Eat in Tampa: SOHO Oasis – best Middle Eastern food ever!

Tip for Incoming Freshmen (or International Freshmen, Transfers): Say "hi" to strangers on campus. It's OK to do that here, and you may make a lifelong friend from a part of the world you have always wanted to visit. Now you have a place to stay!