#usbrazilconnect

12 days back in the States! It feels good to be back in the Mitten. This is home, after all. However, just because I am back stateside doesn’t mean that the program is over; and it sure as hell doesn’t mean that my connection with my students is over. That bond is going to last forever. 

We’re currently in Phase III of the USBC/Conexão Mundo program and are mainly focused on our reflections of our time in Brasil. We (students & coaches) reflect on what we learned about ourselves, how we have changed, and how our perspective has shifted looking forward. The experience doesn’t end upon the return home. Here is my reflection:

One of the greatest gifts of living abroad, living out of your comfort zone, is the time time and space it gives you to learn about yourself. In a new land, you’re challenged to deal with a new language, different food, a foreign culture. You react. You let yourself be vulnerable. You learn that you love the Portuguese language, you realize your potential as a teacher, and you find out that the beach is where you ultimately want to be. Of course, I’m obviously speaking of myself here. Although, I doubt anyone would disagree about my previous beach statement. 

The 31 days in Brasil have undoubtedly changed me.  I have evolved in my capacity for PATIENCE, beginning from the dreaded Visa fiasco to group conflicts in Brasil (which are inevitable) to the infamous job search back here in the U.S. Maybe it’s the way even the most commercial establishments round up/round down their change assuming that it will all even out when it’s time to crunch numbers. Perhaps it’s the 20,30, 60 minute “goodbyes” that switch our focus from constantly needing to make the next appointment to actually cherishing that time we have with the people we care about. Hell, it could be the green mountains reminding you that every time something goes wrong that... “it can’t be all THAT bad if you have this mountain view”. Whatever the reason, I’ve left Brasil with a rejuvenating patience that keeps me calm during the chaos that surrounds me.  Because I know no matter what the tab adds up to, no matter when my next appointment is, I’ll have my people with me and I’ll have my mountain view. Now, I took a LOT of pictures down there so I have plenty of mountain views on my desktop. 

That patience has put me at peace when thinking about the future ahead.  My good friends Kyle & Lea wrote a quote from Judith Thurman in the front of the notebook they gave me (yes, the same notebook I used to maintain this blog) that reads:

“Every dreamer knows that it is entirely possible to be homesick for a place you’ve never been to, perhaps more homesick than for familiar ground.”

I read that quote before I left for Brasil and I’m reading it again now; and I can’t tell you how much more I relate to it upon my return.  I love home. I love Michigan. I grew up here, my parents are here, my friends are here. Everything I’ve known has been here...We have some of the best beer this country has to offer (close rival, Colorado). 

But I also know that there is so much more out there. And as much as I feel at home here, where my roots began, I know I also have a home out there. I feel it. I have that itch in the back of my neck again. I’m longing for it. 

No, I’m not hopping on a plane tomorrow to Singapore or somewhere for some kind of vision quest (not yet at least). I’ll be here for a minute. I have people I need to create some memories with. But I’ll be on the road again...and I’m sure you already know that. 

Here is the video recap I put together of my trip to Brazil with US-Brazil Connect & Conexão Mundo!

Peep it and let me know what you think!

A million thanks to everybody who donated to help me fund this trip. It was a fulfilling experience from beginning to end. I love this program. I couldn’t have had the experience I had without you all; and for that I am truly grateful. 

The HD version is available on my Vimeo page. 

There has been a lot of anticipation up until this point, and we’re finally here.  I leave for Brasil tomorrow to begin my program with US-Brazil Connect. I could try to put what I’m feeling right now into a coherent order of words and expressions but I just can’t. I’m feeling everything. When one thinks of taking a trip such as this, they usually think about how it will be once they enter new land and not so much about how the moments leading up to the trip will be. 

I certainly did not take into account how taxing the preparation for this trip would be.  This past month has probably been one of the most hectic for me, ever (not all a cause of USBC). I haven’t slept in one for place more than two times consecutively for the past 3 weeks, and to be honest, I’m tired of sleeping on couches and air mattresses. Ironically, sleeping in one bed for more than three days in a row will make Brasil feel more like home to me than here in the mitten. 

Also, if you hadn’t already heard about my visa situation, last week surfaced an issue with my visa that would have caused me to miss half of my trip. Thankfully, through perseverance, two impromptu trips to Chicago, my group and freaking awesome friends (Chris, Adri, Adrián), miracles happened and I received my Brazilian Visa today from the consulate (see creepy visa picture above). This whole situation put me through The Millennium Force of emotional roller coasters and almost cost about the same as my plane ticket (not really but this was one expensive visa after counting all of the expenses involved with it). I now have a much greater appreciation for people who have to deal with visas, citizenship, etc. for more important issues than a summer trip. I can only imagine the stress put on someone going through this process just to see their family. It’s real. 

On another note, I’m glad I get to meet my students this coming Monday. I have quite the group. They self proclaimed themselves as “Natenses” which I guess means “a part of Nate’s group.” (i.e. Brazil = Brazilians, Nate = Natenses). I can already feel the love from across the hemisphere, I’m getting psyched for when we’re all together. I’m about to English the hell out of them. If you see videos surfacing of Brazilian students doing ‘The Whip,’ you’ll know who their coach is. 

I could ramble on but I should probably start packing. After all of this, I’ll probably mess around and forget my passport...

I feel like I’m already lagged from travel, and my biggest leg of travel is tomorrow. Wish me luck and pray that I can sleep on these planes because I will need it. 

Friends & followers

Please take a moment out of your day to watch this video and read about my fundraising campaign for a summer fellowship I’m partaking in this summer.

This opportunity allows me to do what I love: mentor and teach students, learn foreign languages, and travel.  The US-Brazil Connect has offered me a competitive fellowship to travel to Brazil to teach Brazilian students English and to mentor them on how to lead great lives.

I've mentioned this program in a post before and am EXTRA thrilled to have this opportunity. I am deeply grateful to be granted such an opportunity. However, these types of roles cost money. So, I am asking you to at least read about my fundraising campaign to learn more about US-Brazil Connect and my relationship with them.

If you are unable to donate, perfectly fine! Sometimes we can’t. I truly appreciate that you've at least taken the time to see what what the program is about.  If you are able to donate, also perfectly fine & encouraged! Even if it’s just $5, I’ll be more than ecstatic to know that you care enough about me to support me in the best way you can. To go to the direct page of the campaign, click here:

gofundme.com/p6hozg or www.gofundme.com/muitobem

Thank you so much in advance. I love you all! Even if we don’t talk a lot! Just know that there’s a spot in my corazón for you!

Much love