DLA Newsletter Events Section writer 

By Kanika Findley-Chin

This month Rachel Hall steps into the Spotlight hotspot! As the first member of the Newsletter team to do so, she told me about her love of eating out, sushi and tapas if you're interested, practicing yoga and that she's a sociable being who enjoys meeting new people!  

When you're not volunteering what do you?

I work for the Chilean embassy, in Westminster. I'm the Assistant Secretary to the Ambassador and the PA to the the Deputy Head of Missions.  I've been there for almost three months and my job involves diary management as well as translations for example government documents or maybe legal text.  I also do some research and help to prepare events.

How long have you been involved in Discovery Latin America, how and why did you get involved?

I heard about it through a friend while I was working of a Latin American newspaper.  I met someone who worked for the DLA Film Festival 2009 press team.  I was quickly put on the press team and then that turned into volunteering at the Festival where I got to see a lot of films! I had heard about DLA from trawling the internet and though it was a really good organisation trying to encompass all Latin American culture and art.  Joining was also a good way of meeting.  So I suppose it my passion for Latin America through my studies has been replaced with volunteering for DLA since I'm no longer at university. 

Do you have a background in Latin American Studies?

I have a degree in Hispanic Studies from Nottingham University. It was about one-third language based, I had to learn Portuguese from scratch, but I also studied History, Literature , Culture, Film you name it!  I'm interested in journalism, I did a stint at BBC Mundo [the Spanish section of the BBC's World Service's] and a Latin American paper.  I'm very interested in current affairs and Latin America, but I'm not sure if I want to be a journalist.

What do you feel you bring to DLA?

I like meeting new people, getting involved and trying to build better links better with the different groups with DLA and the different events that are taking place.

Is there a particular area of Latin American culture you're interested in?

I really like Latin American history and more recently current affairs and things that are going on in the news.  I'm always reading about Latin America!  I think the Bicentenary will bring a lot of attention to Latin America, and I know there are a lot of events going on in London to commemorate it and it will hopefully become a topic of discussion.  I think Latin America it's a really amazing place that has produced so many fantastic things!

Up till now do you have a favourite or most memorable DLA event?

I loved the Film Festival, it's where I started.  It was great to go to all of the gala events and met all the directors but my most memorable moment was when I had to very last minute fill in for someone and do a speech about a film.  I was rushing around and only just made it in time before the film started to give the speech!  I think the Festival was brilliant I saw so many different films and met lots of new people in the space of two weeks.  Discovering Latin America puts on really good events and I always come away feeling upbeat about Latin America and what we're doing as an organisation.

What's it like writing for the newsletter?

I enjoy writing for the newsletter. It keeps me up-to-date but it can be challenging finding events in London that incorporate all the regions different countries.  I'd love to be in more connect with all of the different organisations and have some of their input.  So if anyone knows of any Latin American events especially with the music, literature and dance then get in touch, everything and anything would be welcome!

Finally is there anything you want to add?

Only that I just hope everyone enjoys getting involved and we get the opportunity to work together and share knowledge of the different events!