Dear Mum and Dad,   My hair is longer and my skin darker. My family has expanded, stretching from America, England, Australia and Brazil. I have friends who speak several languages, who have grown up in the Middle East, South America, and Europe. I have argued, agreed and changed. I learned how to cook rice…

17 April, 2018

On the contrary to some grand metaphor about the silver linings of life, I was in fact, sprinting down main street looking for shelter as the after noon tropical storm set in. As usual I left my rain coat at home, having left the house during a perfectly warm and sunny morning. As the other…

13 February, 2018

 I was fortunate to have my parents (de Estados Unidos) come and visit me during December. I may have cried a bit when they arrived in the airport, but I think that was also because of the “amendoim doce ” or, “sweet peanuts” we bought afterwards. They were delicious.   We toured through the neighboring…

07 January, 2018

The scene is set. We were driving home after seeing the fluffiest, poofiest, biggest dog I have ever seen. His name was Konan, and I was given the opportunity to visit him at his home at the end of a rickety road on the top of a mountain. After I had given him hugs and…

23 December, 2017

As my mosquito bites grow in number, so does my inept ability to sit through an entire conversation acting as if I understand. As my first month of being immersed comes to an end, I realize all of the subtle, yet different changes I have made in my life with the Bento family. We always have on…

04 October, 2017

In the month I have lived in Brazil I have had a few “oops” and “oh shit” moments, a few more than I care to admit. My limited Spanish vocabulary has changed my language to a blurry mess between English, Spanish, Português, and a few wild hand gestures. Most likely the reason my conversations with…

30 September, 2017

As my posts on social media bring on an onslaught of questions about my days, what I am doing in Brazil, why I am taking a gap year, and more. I have realized that I have not disclosed exactly what I am doing living in a foreign world for seven months.  No it's not to…

26 September, 2017

As day three of my new life comes to an end, I begin to reflect on my days in Brazil and while my time has been short here I have learned many things. There are small cultural differences such as the TV always being on, eating four meals a day; lunch being the largest, most…

13 September, 2017

The week has flown by in a flurry of lectures, field trips, impressive games of sharks and minnows, and finally learning about the tools that are necessary to aid us in the year to come. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting 130 other 18 year olds who chose to take a bridge year and who share…

01 September, 2017

As the much anticipated departure date rapidly approaches I have been tasked with gathering some important items that I will need to combat the sun and bugs in Brazil. I have taken it upon myself to make the executive decision to leave all of my clothes behind and pack my suitcases to the brim with…

21 August, 2017