I won't lie— when I first decided to come to Brazil, I was nervous. I didn’t really know anyone here, and I wasn’t sure how things worked. But honestly, taking that risk ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
I pushed myself in little ways, too. Back home, I had the exact same haircut for almost five years. Here, I decided to dye my hair, which sounds like a small change, but it became a memorable moment where I told myself, “Okay… I can actually try new things!” That mindset carried into everything, from new foods and new places to new experiences that I never would’ve had if I had stayed in my comfort zone.
Being here has also made me realize something important. People around the world might look different, eat different foods, or speak different languages, but deep down, we’re really not that different. Everyone just wants to feel connected, understood and included. This is such a critical thing for all people to learn.
If there’s one thing I want you to take from my experience, it’s this: don’t be afraid to try something new. Take the risk, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. You never know where it will lead you.
