<p class="ql-block">The Whirlwind of Annual Thesis Defenses</p><p class="ql-block"> </p><p class="ql-block">Each spring, I plunge into the frenzied yet fulfilling world of master's thesis defenses—a viagem (/viˈaʒẽj/, Portuguese for "journey") that's as exhausting as it is rewarding. It’s a whirlwind of long hours, intense debates, and endless coffee, but the memories make it all worthwhile.</p><p class="ql-block"> </p><p class="ql-block">My viagem starts before I even reach campus. Bumping into my neighbor, I can’t resist a bit of bragging about the day ahead, spent evaluating students’ hard - won research. And at the university gate, the security guard’s familiar greeting feels like coming home, setting the stage for the high - stakes academic drama.</p><p class="ql-block"> </p><p class="ql-block">The real magic happens with the professors and students. During breaks, we professors hash it out in the lounge. "Curiosity may have killed the cat, but in academia, it’s oxygen," one says, lamenting students with "empty eyes," lacking that crucial spark of interest. Another quotes the proverb, "Teach a man to fish…" emphasizing how analytical skills are the key to academic invincibility. And then there’s the cautionary tale: "Cut yourself some slack," warns a senior lecturer, recalling a colleague who burned out and never fully recovered.</p><p class="ql-block"> </p><p class="ql-block">Among the students, a standout from Guinea - Bissau wowed me with his multilingual prowess—Spanish, Portuguese, English, French, Chinese. Despite shaky English and Chinese in his thesis, his grit was inspiring. "I’ve been away 12 years; I’ve got to make it count," he said over lunch, and his defense proved his mettle.</p><p class="ql-block"> </p><p class="ql-block">As the day ends, I’m a mix of nostalgic and proud. These defenses are more than just evaluations; they’re a viagem through the heart of academia. And I’ll be back next year, ready to dive into the chaos once more.</p>