Alumni

"Start with the many charms of Lisbon—cobblestones and castles, fresh grilled fish and vinho verde, the haunting voice of a Fado singer in a basement café.  Add lively and talented participants, a committed faculty, and exposure to provocative Portugese writers and artists, and you’ve got the Disquiet program—a very personal and passionate one. It has been my amazing fortune to be a part of it. Also, it’s more fun than anyone should legally have." --Kim Addonizio

Disquiet 2012 rolls a genuine cultural and educational experience, excellent workshops, travel, friendship, and a good time in one package. – Julia Lichtblau

Nothing on the planet beats the collective haunting inspired each July by DisQuiet. --Terri Witek, 2012 Faculty

"Portugal was honestly the coolest adventure I've ever had. I've come home with a new set of eyes." --Katelyn Edwards

"I had an amazing time in Lisbon last year and hope to visit the city again someday. It's really remarkable to me how much two weeks can change a person's life, but now I have new and important friendships in my life, new questions to ask my mother about her life in Brazil and new questions about identity to figure out for myself. Thanks for, you know, changing my life. Com saudade de Lisboa."--Traci Brimhall

“Overall, this was one of the most amazing and memorable experiences I’ve ever had!“ – Melissa Ruby

“Thank you, to the entire DISQUIET team for giving me the experience of a lifetime.; I truly feel blessed to have been included in such a wonderful program, and I felt that I left with more then I anticipated.; The program was well organized, and, most notably, the team behind it all made it easier for a young; solo traveler such as myself to feel welcome… Thank you thank you thank you for a time in my life that will remain magical forever.” – Marisol Benter

“I liked that there was always something going on--I felt no pressure to try to attend everything because that would have been nearly impossible. Instead, we had the freedom to build our days around speakers and panels we particularly wanted to attend and were able to structure the rest of the day around our own activities and interests as they occurred to us. Disquiet was, sincerely, one of the best experiences I have ever had.”  – Katie Buoymaster

“The quality of the people who organized, participated, and contributed to this program was magnified by their kindness. I’ve learned so much about the writing life and will be applying this new knowledge towards changing my life to accomplish the writing goals that I’ve set out. I cannot express how thankful I am for this program. Very well done.”  – Tony Roma

“Excellent workshops, literary excursions, film screenings, meeting writers from all around the world, and all packaged in an inviting city—what more could I ask for? Overall, an incredible experience that will continue to feed my work in the years to come.” – Carlos Quieros

“I adored every second of my stay in Lisbon, and the literature and culture of Portugal is my New World. It was life-changing and inspired a spate of poems.”  – Kathleen Willard

“I am most impressed by the way program participants seemed diverse, kind, and easy to be around. But I was also blown away by the degree of preparation and welcome put into our program experience.”  – Aisha Sloan

“The best organized workshop I have attended. And many of the workshops consisted of participants who could have well been workshop facilitators due to education, teaching experience, and literary credits. I found it difficult to refer to many as ‘students.’”  – Lara Gularte

“This whole experience was almost too good - it’s being nearly impossible to readjust to regular life! I particularly loved how we were welcomed into what seemed like; privileged circles, how we were engaged by both the academic literary establishment as well as marvelous Portuguese writers.”  – Caitlin Myer