Just Roll With It- Danielle Jaeger

One week ago, we landed in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I stepped off the plane with endless questions about what lay ahead, and my nerves took over as we departed from the Airport to begin our time in Brazil.

Alyssa and I with our host family: Jonatas, Regina, Gabi, and Lucas.

One week later, I awoke in the morning, ready and excited for the day. After a peaceful breakfast of fresh bread and coffee with our host mother, Regina, we departed for the University to begin a day of learning and exploring. We began our day with a Portuguese lesson, where the instructor had us walk around the campus and interact with people while using our growing knowledge of Portuguese. Although I began this little adventure feeling nervous, I quickly found it easy to approach and speak with people. Talking with individuals around the Metodista campus allowed me to set my worries aside and just go with the flow. I loved meeting new people on this spontaneous journey. After the lesson and a quick meal with friends at a restaurant off-campus, we attended a Biomedicine lab class and took a tour of several campus buildings.

I have fallen into an easy routine during my days here in Brazil. While my trip started with many unanswered questions about the culture and feelings of unpreparedness, my emotions have changed now that I have spent a week in Sao Paulo. My experience quickly shifted its focus to the beautiful places and people I had seen. I wake up every morning feeling excited about the experiences that await, eager to learn more about the beautiful culture that is present here. 

Some of the group preparing for the Biomedicine Lab at the University!

After our activities at the University were finished for the day, we drove home with Regina. Upon returning home in the evening and enjoying a delicious meal with the entire host family, we were told that we were going bowling as a fun way to end the day.

The sunset from the car ride home from the University!

We bowled, laughed, and enjoyed each other’s presence after a long day. As I enjoyed the company of the host family that I have been so fortunate to have been welcomed into, I wondered about how my thinking has changed so significantly in just a short week. I began this journey full of curiosity and worry about the unknown. I am increasingly becoming more familiar with the lifestyle in Brazil and the daily adventures that I have the opportunity to be a part of. I have learned this week that life can be much more worthwhile if we stop focusing all our attention on our worries and shift that focus onto the adventures that lie ahead and the connections that can be formed. 

The Bowling center where we spent our evening with the host family!