Blogging in Brazil

By Brienné Coates

What it means to become a global citizen is revealed each time we set foot in another’s world. Seeking answers to age-old questions or looking to gain a new perspective, international education does wonders. Studying abroad in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil for less than two months has been a rewarding experience for the author, both personally and professionally. The insight that learning a new language brings, and the curiosities that arise while inquiring about a culture particularly one that is unfamiliar to the globetrotter, is quite fascinating. Through pictures and words we share our newfound knowledge hoping to create bonds of friendship, develop solution to overcome similar challenges, and build a world that courageously attempts to make the best of our differences. Here is a memoir that captures unique moments of a student’s journey to Brazil with intentions of learning about the similarities and differences between the United States and Brazil in the context of Afro-Brazilian culture and through the syllables of the Portuguese language.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brienné Coates
• Release date: Dec 26, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310135101

Brienné Coates

...A rainbow in the cloud.

Book preview

As I pack my suitcase and begin to feel happy, excited, stressed, and quasi-calm at the same time, an overwhelming amount of thoughts rush through my head. Outbursts of what else should I pack? to wow, this is really happening!! flow freely from my mouth. Trying to prepare for a new lifestyle, meeting my homestay family, learning a new language, gaining first hand insight into the culture that exists within Brazil certainly has me thinking. Critically thinking, that is. I picture a family-friendly region of amorous greetings, carnival-festivities, colorful historic avenues, seafood delicacies, all amidst the daily hustle and bustle of its native people. Indeed, a monumental region that holds many answers to world-wide curiosities involving the cultural intersectionality of the African diaspora. Que bom!

My ideas about stepping foot in Brazil come with an initial sense of familiarity of the surrounding region. Being born in a neighboring country, Guyana, I do expect to see similarities—social settings, the concept of family, cultural celebrations, and differences in political views, as well as economic values of equity. In retrospect, given my experience in America, my expectations are quite the opposite. Nonetheless, I start the journey with realistic perceptions that set an optimistic and enthusiastic tone, which will more than likely evolve along the way. I’ll