A Girl Who Dreams

Interview- Brazil

Here we have another interview with a rebound. Enjoy!

1. Single most memorable moment while on exchange?

Most of my favorite memories are of hanging out at friends' houses doing nothing. One that really stands out for me, though, was playing UNO with my host sisters (age 8 and 13) on my first day in Brazil. I didn't speak any Portuguese and they had limited English, so we ended up having to act out and even change some of the rules. It was pretty ridiculous, but a lot of fun and a great chance to get to know my host sisters and start to feel at home in Brazil =).

2. What is the three things an outbound can not live without on exchange?

Dictionary, camera, sense of humor

3. In the country you were in, were people generally warm toward outsiders or cold?

Lots of people were skeptical about Americans, but I was treated amazingly. I fell in love with the people almost instantly.

4. Do you think you have changed from exchanging? How?

Definitely. Exchange is filled with wonderful moments, but it is also really hard. There are many times that you are forced to "suck it up" and do things (or eat things :S) you don't want to do (such as extra chores, or talking in front of an audience in a foreign language). During exchange you realize that these things are so insignificant, and you learn to take advantage of the more important parts of your life, like time with friends and family.

5. Do you think exchanging at a different age would have changed things for you? (such as college)

I went on exchange after my first year of high school. I was really young, but don't regret doing it so early at all. I think that if I had waited, I would have had stronger bonds with my high school friends, and it would have been a lot harder to go. I think that going at the age I did (as opposed to going in college) gave me a better chance to really understand Brazilian culture, because I lived with a host family and studied at a regular high school.

6. Are you more aware now of issues around the world?

Probably not as much as I should be. I am a lot more aware of what the world thinks of the US, though.

7. Will you ever exchange again? If so, where?

I'm headed back to Brazil for a THIRD exchange this fall, and hope to live overseas (somewhere besides Brazil) in the future!

8. What was the top three people you will never forget from exchange?

I can't pick just three!
I would say my close group of friends (about 7 of us), my boyfriend and my first host family

9. What program did you use?

Rotary!

10. Do you see yourself pursuing a career in the future that is related to international things?

I hope to find a job that allows me to work overseas, and live in a few different countries (I'm a nursing student).

11. Top music played in your country?

This varies a LOT by region..some popular types are:
Lots of American pop
Sertanejo (comparable to country): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScKKAcfUa0E
Forró: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqCgZ...x=0&playnext=1
Pagode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_5ghen5tWM

12. Were your parents for exchange, or against it? If they were against it, what made them give in?

They were for it

13. If you could describe your country in one word, what would it be?

Happy

14. When did you start fully understanding the language?

Probably around 4 months. By 2-3 months I could have conversations, but still had to listen carefully to catch what people were saying, unless they were talking directly to me. By 6 months I had good listening/speaking skills.

15. Would you go back? If you are, when?