In Between: One Teen, Two Cultures

By P.T. Rezende

Through the eyes of a Brazilian-American teenager, this memoir explores various multicultural issues. Travel, family relationships, parenting, second language learning and social customs are interwoven in the story. P.T. Rezende’s perceptions of his bicultural life are quite revealing. Right after his high school graduation his mother took him to visit her Brazilian family. Naturally a month feels like a long time at a young age. During that period, he reflects on a series of events and his struggles in the past and present.

Even though his mother makes promises and efforts to please, they are not enough. But teenagers are not known for being understanding and Rezende is not an exception. He disputes his mother’s reasons to travel and puts up resistance. Being with family on thother side of the Equator is intimidating. While in Brazil, he has to face the differences and make adjustments.

Along the way Rezende makes remarks about the American lifestyle while portraying facets of Brazilian life “In the States people are often buying plants and mulch at nurseries and other kind of stores. In my grandmother’s world it is still common to share or give away plants to friends and visitors.” Over the years he visited his Brazilian relatives, but still continues to be uneasy amidst them. Flashing back to his childhood, he tries to understand his life. He confronts himself on many occasions.

Places and events are put in perspective. The author travels to and within Brazil during the 2014 World Cup. Watching the game on TV gives him a chance to look at himself and others in new ways. Also, going with a cousin to the city of Maceió and with an uncle to the Araguaia River he actually has fun and comments on the beauty of each location. Unlike a travel guidebook, these accounts are personal impressions of a teenager.

Language learning is a complex process. As globalization exposes more and more people to other cultures, children are often part of such mix in unique ways. This memoir gives a glimpse into the intricacies of multiculturalism. Rezende comments on his parents actions to help him learn Portuguese. Raised in a bilingual household he describes his difficulties. A variety of factors come into play. Need and/or desire to learn another language are key motivators.

Readers interested in teenagers’ behavior, second language learning and cultural identity development will enjoy Rezende’s experience. Young adults and parents can identify themselves with the author’s accounts. He brings up questions and looks for answers as he reveals himself. It is a challenge to be a teenager, try to understand oneself and navigate in two cultures.

P.T. Rezende’s memoir is developed in twelve chapters. They are: Airport, Arrival, The House, Grandparents, Language, Photo Album, Connections, Soccer, Separation, Beach Time, Araguaia River and Farewell. Each of them is quite engaging, showing aspects of a life in its early stage.

This e-book is in English only but there is a Portuguese version as well. A paperback bilingual edition, English and Portuguese, was published on January 28, 2016. More information is available at http://www.openvistapress.com

• Language: English
• Publisher: Celma de Faria Luster / Open Vista Press
• Release date: Jul 4, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311966452

Book preview

IN BETWEEN

One Teen, Two Cultures

P.T. Rezende

Copyright 2015 Celma de Faria Luster

Open Vista Press

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

It may not be re-sold or given away to other people.

CHAPTERS

Airport

Arrival

The House

Grandparents

Language

Photo Album

Connections

Soccer

Separation

Beach Time

Araguaia River

Farewell

Airport

We started our long trip by taking a small plane to an international airport. So, we left from California and went to Brazil. It was just the beginning of a choice that I didn’t make. Really was a classic example of being under-age and under-powered. That’s how I- and millions of other youngsters out there- roll through these challenging years. My state of mind wasn’t the way I would like it to be. My thoughts were about myself and how I felt about my mom’s plan. There was no way out for me, but she made a few compromises.

Mother is very determined, especially when she wants to see her family and to expose me to her culture. She was born and raised In Brazil. So we are going there again. For years she had this fixation that I needed to return to see my extended family once more right after high school graduation. No questions asked, she took charge and kept moving with the plans. There wasn’t much I could do but follow her, hoping for the best and for some space on and off. However, I did try to show her that it wasn’t the best time for me to be traveling.

Of course, my high school graduation events would be over by the time we left on the trip. However I knew people would have parties afterwards and even into the summer. I made sure Mom knew that. No need to rush out of the country. I wanted more time to have fun with my friends. They didn’t have any big, long plans as she had for me. My wish was to hang out with them until we split to go to college. In a few months we would all be apart. Everyone was taking different paths. That by itself was an enormous change. But no, I was going to be away for a month surrounded by relatives. Jumping from one situation into another so quickly was unsettling.

The season was not right either. Since the United States and Brazil are in different hemispheres, the seasons are inverted. This lesson I learned very early on, going back and forth at different times of the year. Where we live in the San Francisco Bay Area the weather is usually mild, but a bit chilly in the winter. During these months, a vacation in a warm spot where you can land your feet on the sand, and appreciate the breeze and palm trees sounds great. The problem was that the trip was going to be in summer, great months of the year, and I wanted to be home to enjoy it. Such reason didn’t slow Mother down. She said she would make it up to me. Also, she reminded me that even though it was winter in Brazil, our base in the central region is usually as comfortable as our summer.

Another aspect not taken in consideration was the technological disadvantages I would face. Embarking in an international flight meant that for a while my iPhone would turn into a useless piece of metal. No one offered to upgrade my wireless for use abroad. It wasn’t cool to be stripped down to basics, dependent on other devices for online access. As a result, my motivation to travel became even