(Written last week)
Hello all! My name is Benjamín, and I am preparing for my independent Portuguese language study in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Currently, I am in São Paulo for an NDI study abroad program focused on Brazil’s social mosaic, comprised of its ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity. I decided to do this study abroad right before my independent study in Rio because I wanted a brief introduction to Brazil through an intensive English-language course in order to have a better understanding of the country’s background. Nonetheless, all of the paulistanos say that the cities’ cultures are very different.
Being in São Paulo has only heightened my excitement to go to Rio on my own. The Cidade Maravilhosa, as it is called, is a cultural hub for the country with a rich history. Because Rio is home to so many treasures of Brazilian culture, I expect a culturally immersive time there to teach me in ways a classroom never could. For instance, I expect to be able to feel the liveliness of Rio’s samba, the fierceness of its capoeira, the heat of its sun, the power of its street art, and the beauty of its landscape in a way no textbook could summarize. Furthermore, I expect to have frequent interactions with cariocas since I will no longer be with the Notre Dame crew. That means I will have a better ability to enjoy their hospitality and learn from and about them.
At the moment, I need my Portuguese to simply be sufficient enough to survive and get by. I want to learn its basic grammatical structures and words used to communicate daily occurrences. However, it is also important to me that I be able to discuss politics and social issues once my Portuguese becomes more advanced. There is an election going on right now, and I would like to be able to generally understand what issues are of most concern to people. This will help me explore topics I would like to research in Portuguese in the future.
My time in São Paulo has felt like cultural whiplash from my semester in DC, and I think Rio might feel even more so like that. That is good and healthy, though; it will help me grow as a person to be able to adapt more to changing environments. I expect to grow in my flexibility and in my ability to self-advocate. My time in DC helped me master my command over my schedule, but I think there, with this newfound independence, I will allow myself to enjoy more spontaneity and cherish the little things that make Brazil what it is.
Until next time!
Benjamín