Oi!
My name is Ana Luiza Fraisse, and I am a senior environmental science major. This is my final semester at the University of Florida and I’m sad it’s almost over. I’ve had many wonderful experiences as a student in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. One of my favorite experiences was my opportunity to live, study, and work in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
My name is Ana Luiza Fraisse, and I am a senior environmental science major. This is my final semester at the University of Florida and I’m sad it’s almost over. I’ve had many wonderful experiences as a student in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. One of my favorite experiences was my opportunity to live, study, and work in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Although my family
is from Brazil and I get to spend my summers visiting family and friends there,
my study abroad program took place in a region of Brazil that I didn’t know and
allowed me to study in one of the best universities in the nation. This experience
was important to me because it was my first time living away from home and
being truly independent. It also led me to understand more about my heritage and
the unique individual that I am.
I made friends from
countries all around the world and even learned a few life lessons. Some of
these include, but are not limited to:
- Don’t lend your cell phone to strangers in cafés – you may not get it back.
- Always cross the street at the indicated crosswalks – otherwise you might get hit by a motorcycle.
- The best way to get to know a city is by walking through it – you get to experience the culture up close and not from behind a glass.
- Sometimes getting lost will help you find a place you wouldn’t have gotten a chance to explore otherwise.
- Just because you can speak the language, doesn’t mean you can write well.
I was fortunate enough
to work as a server in a restaurant in town. I loved being able to feel like I
was a part of the city and not just a short-term visitor. I was already fluent
in Portuguese but my actions and the way I think aren’t always as “Brazilian”
as I previously thought. I made it my goal every night to finish a shift
without getting asked where I was from. I
was also able to travel within Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. These trips were
relaxing, full of culture, and good food. I went with wonderful friends and I’m
glad I’ll be able to keep those memories and the memories I made in Porto
Alegre with me for years to come.
I encourage all of
you to embark on a study abroad journey. Many programs give college credit and
you’ll be able to explore different cultures and you may even learn a few
things about yourself while you’re there! For more information, please check
out http://cals.ufl.edu/global-gators/index.php.
GO GATORS!
Beijos,
Ana Luiza
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