Lilia Machado

Class Year '25

Hello! I’m Lilia. I hail from the East coast of the US, the silver coast of Portugal, Eastern Europe, and wherever the ocean meets the land. Hobbies include cooking foods from all over the world, spontaneous day trips for a plant, a hike, or a good bagel. I find learning the facets and failures of small scale agriculture, meeting new people and listening to their stories, and walking barefoot all fascinate me.

Getting here:

My dad was once sea kayaking past COA over 20 years ago, and decided to send in his resume to see if he could teach visual arts, but no luck. Via word of mouth and family lore, I decided to apply, and here I am! I must also note that the idea of picking a major or a minor was a lot of pressure for me, as I have so many varied interests and ideas I want to pursue. COA’s openness to experimentation, location, and small (very small) community sounded idyllic, so I know I am in the right place.

Classes

So far… Human Ecology Core Course, This Place Called India, Primitive Skills for the 21st Century, Learning in the Arts Through Exploration, Art and Science of Fermented Foods, Intro to Journalism, History of Filmmaking II, Intermediate Projects in Photography, Literature of Exile.

My approach to human ecology:

Questioning + connecting to place + connecting and listening to people + openness = human ecology

( an ever-evolving theory, and I think it will always be that way)

Life on Mount Desert Island:

The hidden spots, and spots I have yet to discover, but so far, trying apples from trees all over the island, walking in different harbors, exploring the islands off of MDI (talk to Toby!), identifying flowers and eating edible plants I have never seen before, jamming on the community piano in the Village Green in Bar Harbor, and watching waves crash on the rocks of Acadia are all must-dos.

Activities, traditions, celebrations:

I am a part of the crew at Peggy Rockefeller Farm, and have grown close to sheep and lambs. Simon, the barn cat, is also a friendly face of the farm. Come check Peggy out!

Passions & motivations:

Food… cooking, discussing, planting, harvesting, experimenting, and learning about it.

Adventures yet to come:

A bit of land that produces flowers, meat, and veg I can in turn share with my community sounds like a plan to me. Who knows when that will come to fruition; I still have countries to see and people to meet.

Best meal on campus:

Every dessert served so far has scratched my sweet tooth itch. Shoutout to the sticky toffee/date pudding.

COA might be the right college for you if...

… you love the smell of the ocean.

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Don’t worry about it!

Students