Studying Abroad in Brazil: A Reflection

On August 27th, 2017, I set out to see both the wonders and hardships in Brazil. My position as a white American provided me with ethical concerns about my decision. However, the continuation of my studies on non-governmental organizations in Brazil were, and continue to be, in pursuit of giving back.

Living with a local family, visiting numerous non-profit organizations, learning and speaking Portuguese, and constantly experiencing something new everyday was a transformative quest to finding out who I was - a concept I was not anticipating to study.

It may sound like a cliche, but there is a real possibility that studying abroad can be life-changing. The challenges presented during my time in Brazil suggested intellectual and personal growth unlike anything you can achieve inside a classroom.

Another wonderful author David Foster Wallace wrote this in The Pale King: "How odd I can have all this inside me and to you it's just words."

There is not much more I can say other than to get off this blog and experience what the world has to offer.

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Pre-Departure: Nerves and Excitement

An unsurprisingly erratic weather pattern clouds Chicago the day I depart for Fortaleza, Brazil - a fitting portrait of the mixed emotions within me. The concerns I have about traveling outside the country encounter a sincere optimism with every item I place in my luggage. You see, this is my first time leaving the United States; being obsessive with how many times I check my list of required materials is not just enough to warrant a diagnosis of OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, but illustrates myself as a true amateur. However, there is an anonymous quote that eases my feverish state: "If we always do what we've always done, we will always be who we've always been". Those fleeing emotions everyone has when deciding a major event, like studying abroad, are indicators of the exact moment you can change your life forever. The clouds overhead part as I approach the airport.

Photographing Abroad

I was hesitant to bring my camera to Brazil as numerous influences were persuading me to consider cliches of violence and theft. To overcome this fear, I thought about author Ray Bradbury saying this in an interview: " All of my life, I’ve jumped off the cliff and built my wings. It works every single time. It never fails." Capturing moments, places and people of Brazil offered a sense of solidarity; someones position in a different environment can be a struggle when studying abroad. Photography, to me, helped break down barriers and build relationships. I wonder what wings you will build as you fall from the jump?

Fortaleza, Brazil: Shane

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