Rego And Furtado Complete Azores Programme
Bermuda’s Sydney Rego and Catrina Furtado have returned from the FLAD Summer Program Azores 2026 after completing a 17-day academic and cultural programme at the University of the Azores.
A spokesperson said, “The Portuguese Cultural Association of Bermuda [PCA], in partnership with the Azorean Diaspora Council, is pleased to report on the successful completion of Bermuda’s inaugural participation in the FLAD Summer Program – Azores 2026.
“Sydney Rego and Catrina Furtado joined 21 students from the United States for an immersive 17-day academic and cultural programme at the University of the Azores, held across the islands of São Miguel and Terceira from 1 to 17 July 2026.
“Both participants have now returned to Bermuda with official bilingual certificates from the University of the Azores, equivalent to 6 ECTS [3 US] credits. The programme was jointly organised by the Luso-American Development Foundation [FLAD], the University of the Azores, and the Regional Government of the Azores.
“The two candidates were selected following a rigorous local selection process conducted by a seven-member committee of prominent members of the Portuguese-Bermudian community, drawing on the published selection criteria of the University of the Azores, FLAD, and the Government of the Azores. The committee assessed candidates on the basis of academic merit, motivation, and leadership potential
Sydney Rego
“Sydney Rego is a 24-year-old Bermudian of Azorean descent who recently completed a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Bournemouth University in the United Kingdom. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Distinction from Queen’s University in Canada, where she appeared on the Dean’s Honour List multiple times. Her professional experience reflects a deep commitment to community wellbeing, having worked as a Clinical Psychology Assistant at Solstice and as a Youth Worker at the Family Centre. Sydney has Azorean ancestry on both sides of her family, with her paternal grandmother born and raised in Água de Alto, São Miguel.
“Among the programme highlights she cited were the lectures on the history of the Azores, the longstanding relationship between the Azores and North America, and the farming and fishing industries, which gave her a deeper perspective on her family history and the story of Azorean Bermudians. She described whale watching, seeing pods of dolphins swim around the boat, and a visit to Lajes military base in Terceira, where the group watched a helicopter prepare for a medical mission, as once-in-a-lifetime experiences. A free-day excursion to Sete Cidades was another highlight.
“The inter-island leg to Terceira stood out as particularly meaningful: as most Azorean Bermudians are from São Miguel, the chance to experience another island gave her a much broader perspective on the archipelago as a whole.”
“I particularly enjoyed the lectures on the history of the Azores, the longstanding relationship between the Azores and North America, and the farming and fishing industries. These gave me so much more perspective on my family history and the history of Azorean Bermudians. The special visits were genuinely once-in-a-lifetime opportunities: going whale watching and seeing pods of dolphins swim around our boat, and visiting Lajes base and watching a helicopter prepare for a medical mission, were my absolute favourites. I’ve left this trip feeling much more connected to my culture, and with a strong desire to finally learn to speak Portuguese,” Sydney Rego said.
Catrina Furtado
A spokesperson added, “Catrina Furtado is a 19-year-old Bermudian of Azorean descent, currently in her first year of a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She has built an impressive record of hands-on experience in marine science and conservation, including work at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, a Marine Science internship at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, and international conservation fieldwork in Borneo, Malaysia. An Advanced Open Water PADI-certified diver since the age of 15, she is the recipient of the BZS Leadership Award and the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. Catrina’s connection to her Azorean heritage has been nurtured through family visits to São Miguel and active participation in Bermuda’s Portuguese cultural community.
“She highlighted the field trips to historical and cultural sites as among the programme’s most memorable elements, noting that being able to see and experience places in person rather than simply studying them in a classroom made the learning come alive.
“Like Sydney, she found the inter-island leg to Terceira particularly special: having never visited the island before, experiencing its differences from São Miguel was a genuine revelation. She also praised the quality and warmth of the faculty throughout, and the easy camaraderie among a group of students spanning a range of ages.”
“Being able to represent Bermuda and learn more about our connection to the Azores made the experience even more meaningful for me. I really enjoyed the programme and feel like I got a lot out of it: meeting new people, learning more about the Azores and its history and culture, and experiencing different parts of the islands. I’m really grateful that I got to be part of the first programme, and I hope the connection between Bermuda and the Azores continues to grow in the future,” Catrina Furtado said.
Looking forward
A spokesperson added, “The PCA and the Azorean Diaspora Council have already begun preparations for Bermuda’s participation in the 2027 edition of the programme. Details on the application process are expected to become available by the end of the 2026 calendar year, and eligible residents of Bermuda of Azorean descent aged 18 to 25 are encouraged to consider this outstanding opportunity.”
“This inaugural participation was everything we hoped it would be. Sydney and Catrina were wonderful ambassadors for our community, and we are deeply grateful to FLAD, the University of the Azores, and the Regional Government of the Azores for welcoming Bermuda into this programme from its very first edition.” Richard Ambrosio, Chairman, Portuguese Cultural Association of Bermuda and Bermuda Representative on the Azorean Diaspora Council
