Day 1 – Emmaline Verratti – Different, and Yet the Same

I had no idea what to expect on any international trip, let alone a trip to São Paulo, Brazil. There is no amount of preparation that can replicate a true culturally immersive experience, which is what I have now been privy to. From, most obviously, the language difference, to the food, climate, and differences in social habits, there have been countless opportunities for myself to set up my familiar Western New York culture as an opposite to Brazilian culture. However, while differences clearly do exist, I have found that humans are more similar than they are different, no matter where in the world they reside.

One of the parts of Brazil I was (and still am) most excited to explore is the food! I am pretty adventurous when it comes to trying new things, food especially, but once I realized that pão de queijo is quite literally just bread and cheese, and that Brazilians have incredible taste in dessert and coffee, I knew I was more at home than I would have originally thought myself to be.

Another welcome comfort was playing games with my roommate for the trip, Esther, and our host sister, Serena. There is a game back home that I play with my sister, called “Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza”. As it turns out, there is a version in Portuguese too, called “Taco Gato Cabra Queijo Pizza”! Not only was it a great ice breaker into learning more conversational Portuguese, but it was a reminder that sisters love to play silly card games everywhere.

The final joy of the day was found in the exchanging of gifts! Esther and I got the privilege of bringing some of our favorite foods (that aren’t necessarily common in Brazil) to give to our host family. They are just are curious about our eating habits as we are of theirs! In return, later and unexpectedly, our host sister gave the both of us our own capivara stuffed animal, which sing a capivara song when squeezed and are holding little electric guitars — because we’re musicians! The joy one gets out of seeing a person pleased with a gift is universal, and, along with all of the other experiences of the day, it allowed me to realize that, with allowances for cultural differences, all humans really are the same. I am able to feel at home in Brazil because of this. And coffee. Coffee will make any place feel like home!