My interest in Brazil began in high school. In my last year of high school, I became obsessed with the film Orfeu Negro, which is a film from the 1950's. The film is based on Greek legends Orpheus and Eurydice, but it takes place during a big festival in Brazil, called Carnaval. The film is full of music, colors and magic. It depicts Brazil as a warm and festive place. The abundance of beautiful, smiling black people was mesmerizing. They all looked stylish and their skin was pretty. Even though the film is over fifty years old, it influenced my interest in Brazil because it presented a festive life. Later, I took classes in college that studied parts of Brazil’s history and culture, such as religion. I also studied Portuguese for four semesters, where I continued to learn more about Brazilian society.
Studying abroad seemed like the perfect opportunity to learn first hand about everything that I had been reading about. As lovely as it was reading and watching films, I wanted to experience these things for myself. My decision to study abroad was also because I was ready for a change. I've lived and attended school in NYC all my life. Most of my friends left the city for college, I only changed neighborhoods. I wanted the challenge that comes with something unfamiliar. As much as I loved my city, I needed something new.
I am almost three months into my time in Brazil and I have two and a half months left to go. I miss the familiarity that drove me to study abroad. However, I do not miss it enough to want to go back home right now. I am having such a wonderful experience. I traveled to beautiful places with natural landscapes and cultural institutes.
