I’m Maria, the writer and creative behind Cri(ar).
I’ve never done just one thing, but everything I do currently lives at the intersection of culture, creativity, and community. That’s the thread running through the work I do, whether that be writing, mentoring, creating, or teaching.
Why Culture
Though I’m Portuguese by nationality, I grew up around the world, in Washington DC, New York, The Hague, Lisbon, and Pretoria. As a third-culture kid, I learned early on that culture is not simply something you inherit, but rather, something that is co-created, lived with, and sometimes pushed against.
This belief continues to shape my personal path and professional focus:
- I hold an MA in the Psychology of Intercultural Relations and a BA in Psychology, where I learned to work with the complexities of how people experience culture, adapt to change, and form identity across shifting environments.
- I’ve taught and studied in international schools — most recently teaching Yoga and Positive Education at a Lisbon-based International School for primary students.
- Over the past 7+ years, I’ve mentored students from global backgrounds, helping them go through transitions, and manage their emotions with resilience and confidence.
- I’m the founder and co-editor of A-Culturated, a Medium publication dedicated to intercultural stories and reflections on identity.
- I work with people across cultures to help them unravel their cultural multiplicity, and manage the ongoing process of change — something I’ve learned to embrace through my own global experiences.
Why creativity
Creativity has always been—very poetically—my first language. It’s not confined to one form, but expressed through words, sound, movement, and space.
- I’m a freelance writer and editor focused on creative nonfiction, prose, educational content, and cultural essays.
- I write across platforms, and mediums, including Substack newsletters, Medium publications, and collaborative projects. I am also currently working on a larger fiction project.
- Growing up, I was always involved in singing, songwriting,
drama and the performing arts, which is still very much a part of how I express myself and work with others. - During my Master’s internship and in various volunteering roles, I began using music, movement, and storytelling as tools for socio-emotional learning — especially with children and teenagers.
- Over time, these creative practices have become central to how I support others, both as artistic expressions, and meaningful ways to reflect, regulate, and grow.
Why Community
At the heart of everything I do is the belief that growth happens in community, and not solely in isolation.
- In all the places I have lived, I’ve always gotten involved in
local volunteering, from elderly homes to schools to food banks.
I care deeply about intercultural and intergenerational dialogue,
and often use movement, storytelling, and play as bridges across these differences. - As the founder and editor of an intercultural publication, I’ve built an online community where people from around the world share stories about identity, belonging, and growth.
- As an IB graduate and long-time mentor and tutor of students in the International School community, I’ve helped young people through academic pressure, identity exploration, and big life transitions.
- I’ve hosted and coordinated workshops for all ages centered on creativity and wellbeing.
My Approach
Doing many things might seem unconventional, but for me, everything is connected. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all approaches. Whether I’m helping a child express their emotions through creativity, mentoring a teenager through academic and life transitions, or editing someone’s personal essay, I take a holistic and individualized approach.
I draw from my background in psychology, intercultural education, movement, and the arts to help people manage transitions, reconnect with themselves, and take creative ownership of their lives.
Throughout my life I’ve learned that creativity is more of a way of being, than a thing of doing . In this way, my mission is to create opportunities for people to grow, reflect and explore through words, movement, and self-expression.
If you’re moving through change — whether geographic, emotional, academic, or creative — I hope to help you get rooted and move forward with clarity.