01 Nov '23

Bridging cultures through language and optimism

4827
door Nathalie Dirix
Ana Monteiro embraces the spirit of Brazilian optimism in her life. Her positive outlook inspired her to learn Dutch six years ago so now she can greet visitors to Tervuren library with a warm smile and speak to them in Dutch.

Ana Monteiro began her career in the library in 2017 as a volunteer. She loved the idea of spending time among books in an environment where she could meet people from all walks of life. ‘Cultural differences among people have always intrigued me. I believe that by gaining a deeper understanding of these differences, we can provide better support to individuals. And the more you come to realise that we actually have more in common with each other than we sometimes think.’