Exchange Students

They Meet…

Brazil, City, Cool People, Exchange Students, Exchange year, Family

Now they are all connected! My real Family and my Host Families. They have relationships stronger than I ever expected. I know the connections will continue my entire life. It’s cool to be able to say that my parents flew to Brazil to visit me after 300 days being away. But I’m glad to have these last few weeks of my exchange to spend with my host families and friends before I go back to the U.S.

I was nervous to have to translate everything back in forth because I know I don’t speak perfect Portuguese. There are a lot of words I don’t know how to say. And when it comes to my family, anything could come up at the dining table. But luckily, I wasn’t the only one there willing to translate. At times, I got to sit back and relax when my host siblings were around to translate. That was my favorite part!

It was shocking to see my family at first almost like a dream, but it becomes more real after they left and my host families continue to talk about them. Meeting my family made it more real for my host families and I believe they will come to the US to visit. My exchange friends were very curious to know if my parents noticed any change in my personality. My family thinks I have “stepped it up” and am a more mature young woman. Of course, when I am with friends and family, I am the same old sarcastic person when we stand alone.

It was awkward to see my parents reactions at first when my host families described me with words like calm and quiet, but then they got to see it for themselves and it made a little more sense. I think its normal as an exchange student to change the ways you act with your host family because you can’t express yourself the same way you do at home. Maybe because there’s no translation in your host language or you are just not that comfortable with them for a first impression to go a certain way.

At this point, I can’t wait for my host families to come visit me in the US so I can show them my country, Colorado and my town! Breckenridge!

Festa Nacoes

Bands, Brazil, City, Exchange Students, Exchange year, Nation Fair, Rotary, Unites States

The highlight of March was a surprise visit from other exchange students in another rotary district coming to visit for our Nation Fair. That day was more special for the RYE outbounders 17/18, because it was good to see our friends we’ve missed from our Northeast Trip.

Nation Fair is to share our nationalities with the community. This also helps the outbounds choose which country they will choose next year. Every country is responsible for serving a traditional food and decorating each stand so it catches the strangers attention. As a representative, we are given stickers with our nation flag on it. When the outbounds come find us and ask about our nationality, we try to convince them to choose our country for the following information. When they fill up their booklets of stickers they turn it in and choose the top three places of their dreams. This event is open to everyone in the community, so it was a big deal when the city’s governor made an appearance. To keep the energy up all day long they have dances from all over the world perform to keep the audience entertained. This event takes all day because all the outbounds have to finish their book then the Rotarians make the final decisions so they head home knowing where they will go. We get the honor to announce which exchange student will be coming to our countries next year!

It is a long process to be chosen for this amazing opportunity, but as soon as you get there all the hard work pays off. With all the friendships you make across the world it turns out to be the year that changes your life for the good!

District Aniversario

Bands, Brazil, Exchange Students, Exchange year, Family

April 7th,

The annual birthday of my district turned out to be a huge deal…. hosted at one of the most famous restaurants in South America known for seating the most people at once. This dinner was fancy and fun to attend. It amazed me how many Rotarians showed up that are a part of a club with nothing to do with an exchange student. But it worked to our advantage! We were responsible for selling a certain amount of raffle tickets for the final surprise that turned out to be a new IPHONE 7!!!

After lots and lots of mingling…. they pulled out that lucky ticket that turned out to be one of the women we sold it to! What a small chance, we sold 50 out of 250 tickets and ours was drawn. Of course, we didn’t win the iPhone but the woman that did came and found us afterward with a huge smile on her face!

After a huge honoring ceremony to introduce all the different clubs that make up with district we sat down for dinner. The restaurant was famous for Italian food, but if you are not aware restaurants here have a different system. With a party like this the buffet would take to long and then the people at the end wouldnt get anything to eat so they organize it so every table gets a family size potion for 6-8 people and when you finish a plate the servers will replace it with a new one. After stuffing our stomachs we took plenty group pictures and danced on the dance floor all night!

Ilha do Mel

Beach, beach soccer, Boats, Brazil, Bus trip, Cool People, Exchange Students, Friends

Stands for HONEY ISLAND…

Beachy Sunsets!

It takes exactly an hour and a half by car and 30 minutes by boat to this island from Curitiba. It’s known as the prettiest beaches in PARANA. This island is the farthest my Brazilian families travel to get away for vacation. When I mention I have been to Northeast, Falls Iguazu and Santa Catalina they are shocked because some of them have never traveled out of Parana. Compared to all the beaches I have been to in Brazil this island is beautiful, but there’s nothing super special about it.

Lean on me!

We the Bomb.com

On the first day we walked 17 kilometers… we live for the motto “do it for the picture!”

We walked 17 kilometers between the fort and lighthouse. The second day, we found a beach cove to lay out in the sun or play soccer!

Most of you must think Brasil must be made up of beaches because that’s all I write about, but as far the exchangers, it doesn’t feel like Brasil unless we are back in Curitiba. The local Brazilians disagree, they think Brasil is everywhere but Curitiba because the weather is so bipolar and colder than every other city in the country.

Funny faces

Foz Iguazu

Brazil, Bus trip, Cool People, Exchange Students, Exchange year, Places, Tour, Waterfalls

After spending almost 90 hours in a bus throughout January and now getting the opportunity to spend another 30 hours seemed easy. Our district was invited to be a part of the meeting with John F. Germ also known as the Rotarian international president this year. The meet invited over 8 different districts but we were the only one’s to bring INBOUNDERS. The meeting took place in the town of Falls Iguazu which was named after the famous waterfalls that cross Argentina, Paraguay, and Brasil. Foz Iguazu is 13 hours from my district so we drove all night. Arriving so early in the morning we spent our spare time getting drenched by the waterfalls.

After 2 hours at the falls, we gathered for lunch and then headed to the big conference with the International President. Our director reserved seats for us to sit right in the front row so our blazers would stand out to the staff. Meeting some of the staff gave them the idea to allow me and the two other girls from the US to sing the nation anthem to welcome President. My heart just about dropped when they asked us to sing without background music to follow along to. To be honest, I have never sung the whole anthem let alone now I have to do it in front of over 200 people I got a little nervous. But then I started thinking to myself I will never see these people again so what do I have to loose.

Sambadrome Marques de Sapucai

Brazil, Carnaval, Cool People, Exchange Students, Friends, Places, RIO, Tour, Travel

Our first day in Rio de Janiero! We visited Sambadrome Marques de Sapucai (the famous main street) where it all goes down the real deal. The big parade that last 5 long days of all kinds of different floats and people all dressed up. We were even lucky enough to get to try on all the traditional Brazilian costumes… Of course, we look like models, but in reality, we struggled to keep those big headsets up and to carry those big shoulders sets. They were just getting started decorating for Carnaval coming up at the end of this month and I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like when its all done. I wish I could make it, but I’ll just have to come back again in the future!

Make a Wish!

Chruch, Cool People, Exchange Students, Family, Places, Salvador, Tour, Travel, Uncategorized

In Salvador, they are famous for sharing good vibes. This town reminded me of my neighborhood back in the US… every building is a different color. Salvador has a lot to offer, one day we spent getting a city tour about all the history and the next day we were riding a boat out to an island. Salvador is full of very friendly locals. With every purchase, you get a bracelet to tie around your wrist for someone, you are traveling with.

There’s is a place in this city that is covering in these bracelets and it’s on a fence right in front of a Catholic church. There they sell these bracelets in a bunches of 10-20 for very cheap. The idea is that you purchase enough bracelets to add a few to the fence and share amongst your friends. These bracelets aren’t anything high quality, but they all have personal meaning. You cannot tie the bracelet on yourself. A friend ties the bracelet on your wrist and with each knot, you make 3 wishes. When the bracelet eventually falls off those wishes come true!!

Homemade Carnaval!

Brazil, Carnaval, City, Exchange Students, Friends, Places, Stories, Travel

Take me back to the night I dressed up like an Arabic Egyptian girl and danced on the street. We filled these streets with sound and color as we passed small restaurants and homes. This little town called Olinda is very small with tight streets and plenty of houses built on top of each other. It’s a cute little town very colorful and famous for their culture. Some residents are very into religion and attending church, while others entertain with crazy funky dances in the streets.

As foreigners, we made fools of ourselves, but it was a blast trying to copy our Brazilian dance leaders. For as long as 45 minutes, we danced, paraded and chanted. We were exhausted getting back on that bus by the end of the night because it’s not easy dancing like Brazilians.

Buggy Rides

Brazil, Cool People, Exchange Students, Exchange year, Sandunes, Tour, Travel

Day 3 of my Northeast trip we went jeeping in the sand dunes. We started our month off at the highest point in Brazil also known as Jericoacoara! I’ve never been jeeping in the sand dunes before and today I experienced it with people from all over the world.

This past month I traveled along the coast with 56 different exchange students from three different districts. The moment we realized we would be traveling together, we started to get to know each other. I remember that first morning at the airport around 6:15 am like it was yesterday. This month I traveled to 8 different cities and probably 14 different beaches. Out of all those places, my top 5 favorites are Jericoacoara, Pipa, Recife, Salvador, and Itacare.

This month I traveled to 8 different cities and probably 14 different beaches. My top 5 favorites, Jericoacoara, Pipa, Recife, Salvador, and Itacare.

Jericoacoara is literally a town built in the sand dunes. We spent 3 days in this up and coming beach community. Many visitors and a lot of new construction. Beautiful modern hotels are being built with views of the beach, forest, and desert all from one location.

The locals were very nice and the food was delicious. A little on the expensive side, but it’s understandable because we were out in the middle of nowhere.

I enjoyed the place we stayed at. It felt like a huge housing complex with a bunch of rooms surrounding by hammocks hung up by a pool and a lounging area for card games or just talking.

We filled one entire side of the hotel so it was like we were the only ones there. There I roomed with 4 other girls, we had the biggest room out of the whole place.

Jeeping was my favorite thing to do in Jericoacoara because it was new and exciting and a fun get away from any service and society.

~Halloween~

Brazil, Cool People, Exchange Students, Exchange year, Holidays, Rotary, Travel

Halloween will never be the same as it was while I was growing up, but will always be my favorite holiday! Halloween is actually only a big deal in America. It usually revolves around a lot of candy and costumes, but this year I spent Halloween with people that have never set foot in a costume store. Really? I thought to myself, where do they get their Halloween costumes?

In Brasil, you never see kids trick or treating or houses decorated with orange lights, pumpkins, and scary stuff from the outside. As Halloween approached, I found myself getting a little homesick for friends and traditions, but as it turns out it was a great time here!

The Rotex actually organized a costume party for us and surprised us with a costume contest. Unfortunately, my costume didn’t win but my friends and I had a blast getting ready! For those of you who don’t recognize our costumes, we dressed up as Aliens. No one really knows what real aliens look like so there was no wrong way to LOOK. The party was awesome with plenty of dancing and meeting new people. There were students there that will be leaving Brasil on an exchange next year, rebounder, Rotarians and the INBOUNDS! Getting to share my favorite holiday with most of my newest and closest friends was a dream come true. I know now that Halloween is not worldwide, but I hope they enjoyed celebrating it as much as I did.