While on this trip, a reoccurring observation has been expressed by many of us students. We all have gotten the impression that Brazilian people seem to be much more united than at home in the U.S. In the United States, people are very individualized now with an “I’m this, and you’re that” mentality. However, in Brazil, it felt like people may have their differences, but at the end of the day, everyone is Brazilian, so it doesn’t really matter. We all realized we could have this observation because we are very sheltered here. Three weeks may feel like a long time to us, but it is still not long enough to fully observe and understand the complexity of this topic.

Our class picked up this sense of togetherness through the welcoming and caring personalities of the people here. For example, in Capoeira, the most significant idea is how the sport creates respect for one another and the community. Also, we noticed that even the homeless work together and help each other survive, which I have never seen at home in New York. However, when talking with Cami at the pool, Emily and I realized that both countries have similar problems. We learned that political parties here have the same issue that we have in the U.S. It created a massive separation in people who supported President Bolsonaro and the current President De Luca. During this waring campaign, the Brazilian national soccer team’s jersey was even used to represent bad morals. This turned something like soccer, which once united the country, into something that separated it further. Cami told us that, thankfully, the recent World Cup happened just after this crazy time, which turned the jersey back to something that symbolizes the goodness and unity of the country. We learned about other issues like people losing their homes to flooding, which sounded similar to the hurricanes in Florida, and there are also issues of race that are highly similar to problems we face in the United States.

We learned about good similarities as well, which I found fascinating. We learned that Brazilians compare Rio to Los Angeles; it is where Brazil’s media is produced and where the big movie stars live. They also compare São Paulo to New York City, and Paulista Avenue is said to be the Brazilian’s Time Square.

Paulista Avenue was a lot of fun. We looked in some shops and saw the various types of people living there. It did remind us very much of Time Square in NYC. We stopped at a Brazilian coffee shop where we relaxed and talked while drinking fantastic coffee.

There is a large homeless population here, which is another similarity to Rochester. Although in Paulista, at night, the government sets up tents that are raised off the ground under the MASP Museum for people to sleep in. I thought this was very special because I have never seen an initiative like this to help our homeless population at home.

Once we got home for the night, we watched the São Paulo soccer game on T.V. and ended the night by playing Rummikube.

Today was a great day of relaxation, but it also truly immersed us in the Brazilian culture. At the beginning of the trip, looking forward and seeing how long of a trip we had ahead of us was scary. However, now that we only have two days left in São Paulo, it is really sad to go home and leave our amazing host family. Emily and I will forever be grateful to them for their amazing kindness.

Joanna, our host mom, picked us up from campus and brought us back to her wonderful home. We drank tea, ate some fruit, and took a few selfies.

After, we had lots of downtime to recover from our long hours of travel. It was stressful because this downtime allowed us to think about how long this trip is, and the differences between Brazil and home. This trip is completely out of my comfort zone, but I keep picturing it as a rollercoaster. When I look at a rollercoaster from the waiting line, it looks big and scary, then on the ride there may be a few parts that are uncomfortable, but then once it’s over, I’m full of energy and ready to do it again. That’s how this first day has been and how I imagine the rest of this trip will be.

When it comes to learning languages, I am not exceptionally gifted, but I would say I am usually better than average. I took French for seven years, and I am not extraordinarily fluent, but I am reasonably proficient. Sometimes I translate things into French in my head or even use a few French words or phrases here or there without realizing it. And this, combined with the fact I am in a foreign country, is probably what led to this somewhat embarrassing and totally hilarious situation.

It seems like every time I try to learn this new language, the part of my brain responsible for foreign language activates and somehow French spills out—even when everyone else is speaking Portuguese. So, learning this new language has been quite the adventure. But, I am going to keep learning it—or at least trying to.

All throughout this trip, I’ve been making a point to write down, snap a photo of, and remember all the things that remind me of home. Except, recently, I’ve been feeling restless and my heart feels homeless yet also at home everywhere. So, whatever reminds me of Rochester, Kenya, Seattle, Togo, Brazil, and everywhere else– all the places I call home or feel I could someday call home. Sunday, it was the Tim Horton’s in the Toronto airport and the discomfort of a long plane ride. Yesterday, it was a coconut, the landscape, and the McDonald’s I passed on the road. Today, it was a Harry Potter mug, a Portuguese Bible, a beautiful Methodist chapel, and a French word spoken at the wrong time. It reminded me of my last experience in a foreign country, a country I someday hope to visit, my hometown, my school, and all the hilarious and awkward situations I always manage to get myself into.

So, as I struggle to learn this wonderful new language and grow to be more at home  in this place that has already begun to steal a part of my homeless, wandering heart, I remind myself to find joy in the hardships, embarrassing situations, and happy moments alike. Because no matter where my home is or what language I’m speaking, those moments remain constant, and they are what make a place home. 

-Rebekah Distaffen

Our host had invited us to water aerobics, saying it was a special class for Carnaval this week. Of course we accepted the invitation; while working as a lifeguard, I’ve supervised many classes but never have been able to participate myself. The social environment of the event was different than what I had seen before. In part of the class, we were divided up into teams (the other women were kind enough to be sure that Martha and I were on the same team as Gisele, our host, who was the only person playing who spoke English). The game was pretty much water polo, and it wasn’t long before we were shouting along “Aqui! Aqui!” and doing our best to help our team win.

There were several more games. We were told earlier in the day that Brazilian people do not care about being first. Apparently the person who told us this had never met the women in the water aerobics class; they’re all dirty cheaters and definitely cared about winning or losing.

Our team won in the end, much to my delight. Apparently competitiveness is something I have in common with the women here.

I have to end this blog by brining it back to the first topic I wrote about, the traffic.   The flow of traffic has not slowed down since we first arrived.  The roads are a horror even by an Western New York native’s standards. While every Brazilian person I’ve met so far has been welcoming and friendly, apparently once they step on the gas pedal they lose any respect for others. I’ve never been so scared of crossing the road before!

We all had a bit of trouble with the pronunciations, but we were partnered with University students who spoke both English and Portuguese and who coached us step-by-step. I now understand what Professor Betania meant when she described the language as a type of singing: it relies heavily on inflection, and it sounds like music to hear native Brazilians converse! With only two hours of instruction under my belt, I already have a much greater appreciation for the Portuguese language and for the University, which we toured after class.

Every person we practiced with in the cafeteria and on the sidewalks was incredibly amicable and helpful, and- it sounds odd to say it, but- I can’t wait for class tomorrow!

Side note from the editor AKA Dr. Kovach:  Martha celebrated her birthday today!  We (well, really our Brazilian friends) sang to her in Portuguese.  It is no surprise that the Brazilian happy birthday song (sung to the same tune) is far more energetic (clapping and shouting and made up noises) than the American version.  Parabens pra voce Marta (the deletion of the h is deliberate).  We are so happy to celebrate you in Brazil!  Marta’s host family was also happy to celebrate as they threw her a surprise birthday party!!!

Next, we headed downstairs and across the street to explore Ibirapuera Park, a gorgeous, verdant oasis for the Brazilian people in the midst of the sprawling metropolitan city. The park is always packed on weekends but was especially so today since the Carnaval celebrations continue throughout the week. We were impressed with the bike rentals, cycling paths, covered skating park, and beautiful arenas that host many of the biggest events in Brazil such concerts and Fashion Week. In our opinion, Ibirapuera is the perfect gathering place for families and friends alike!

Our next destination was Vila Madalena. A few short years ago, this area was a rundown, abandoned alleyway but the creativity and imagination of Brazilian street artists breathed new life into it! Now Brazilians and tourists flock to see the walls covered with colorful statements from a multitude of artists. The murals ranged from the fun and playful to important social statements. We loved taking it all in and stopped in the cafe for a quick lunch and some refreshing Açai and fruit juices before heading out again!

After taking in some of the sights from our van, we traveled to the Municipal Market which was created in 1933 by architect Francisco de Azevedo. Not only was the exterior of the building gorgeous, but the interior was an intoxicating kaleidoscope of colors from the vendors’ stands. Brazil is a diverse country and the foods in the market had a variety of cultural influences. The Lebanese cheese was especially delicious but our favorite part of the destination was the fruit! We sampled old favorites such as Mango and tried many new fruits with names I can’t pronounce or remember!

The final stop (my personal favorite) was in the neighborhood of Liberdade, the largest Japanese community outside of Japan. In Brazil, there is no typical “Brazilian appearance”. The Brazilian people come from a mix different cultural backgrounds including Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, and Lebanese heritages among many others. Although our time was short, we had fun wandering the streets of the neighborhood while viewing and purchasing the beautiful Japanese goods.

After our trip, we had a quick rest before heading to the Methodist Church located on the campus for evening worship. Even though we couldn’t understand much of the service, we loved being able to worship with our Brazilian brothers and sisters. A special moment was being able to sing Great is Thy Faithfulness together! It is always an amazing and humbling experience to worship God in the context of another culture!

Today was another fantastic day of experiencing the culture and sights of São Paulo! We can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring!

We were told that Carnaval would be insanely busy, but I completely underestimated this statement. The flooding crowds began at the metro, much before the big event. I felt like I was hugging thousands of people at one time. The funny thing was that even though the lines were incessant, no one was impatient! There was a sense of relaxation, contentment, and acceptance of the long waiting game. Even more amazingly, there was a tangible excitement spread by laughs and screams of enthusiasm. The journey was an experience itself, and one more contribution to allow us to get a feel for the culture.

Luana and her friends were the ideal tour guides throughout the new experience; they explained along the way, but also went about their normal routine, allowing us to get a feel of actual life in Brazil hanging out with friends. I personally was so happy to have Luana as a host sister, as she reminds me of my own sister at home.

My go-to Portuguese phrase for the day was, “Você quer dançar,” or “do you want to dance.” I of course practiced this a LOT and apparently could say it correctly. However, when I used it to make friends, the conversation ceased immediately. My new acquaintances expected me to respond to what they had begun to say to me, but were instead met with the most confused look. ? I’ve got quite a bit more of Portuguese to learn…

If we learned how to ask people to dance, we obviously had to learn the dance itself! Juliana’s best word of advice was, “Keep your chin up and you’ll look like you know what you’re doing.” The beautiful thing about Brazil was, yes of course everyone recognized us as awkward, pale, “gringas” who couldn’t dance, but they didn’t care! We felt loved through warm smiles, kiss greetings, and dances. Not only was our adventure at Carnaval an absolute blast, but it was also an invitation to participate in the unique, cultured, accepting, bubbly society that is São Paulo, Brazil.

The first thing we all noticed when getting off the plane was that we were not hit by the familiar blast of icy Rochester air. It was a welcome feeling to all of us because by this time of the winter we’ve usually resigned ourselves to our chilly and rather unpleasant fates. Instead, the heat welcomed us to Brazil, and I think it’s safe to speak for everyone that we were all delighted. Heat is not unfamiliar entirely, but it’s certainly been a while since we’ve felt it in the air at home! It  felt like our first warm welcome to Brazil.  The next warm welcome followed as we met Vanessa Martins,  International Relations Advisor at the Methodist University of Sao Paulo, and our host families.

First selfie in Brazil, credit to Martha

As we were lead into Brazil by new friends, we remarked about palm trees and how green and colorful everything is compared to the environment we just left.  However, it wasn’t long before I realized the more surprising difference was how traffic works in Brazil.

The rules of the road here in Sao Paulo, Brazil are nothing like the rules in Rochester, NY, and it was with awe, fascination, and the slightest bit of fear that I watched motorcycles and motorbikes whiz in between cars (who also seemed to do the same thing, when able). I guess everyone here is used to that, since we made it to the university safely and no one seemed to want to drive us off the road. It was at that moment that I decided I would never be able to drive in Brazil; I’m aware of my more timid driving habits and the strictness in which I follow the rules and hold others accountable for them. The movement of the cars was like water flowing, stopping as infrequently as possible as it moved past obstacles and rolled on toward its destination. Thinking back on it now, I wonder if a comparison could be made to the culture we’ve begun to immerse ourselves in, but I think it is still too early to tell.

We’ve been welcomed with open and very friendly arms! While we have spoken to only a handful of people, everyone has seemed to be excited to see us and very helpful with getting settled in. Joana, the woman that Anna and Kirstin are staying with, let us all pop in for a visit before Martha and I went off to Gisele’s home and fed us cake and coffee or tea. We’ve been very well fed so far! Not long after arriving at our host’s home we were also given a very delicious lunch of chicken and rice and beans. So far, I’m a fan of Brazilian cuisine. It seemed a little different to me to have a warm lunch in the middle of a hot day, but it’s not like I’ve never done that at home myself. The time was familiar, just about noon when we ate, but I don’t think I’ve ever had a meal like that for lunch before, unless I was reheating leftovers from dinner the night before.

The people we’ve met have gone out of their way to help us feel comfortable, but I think the others would agree that we want to try as many new things as possible while we’re here… –except maybe driving!

A sunset over the city of São Paulo

Fast forward to today, and we are returning to Brazil!  Julie and I are headed back (without Kevin—we will miss you Kevin!) with four honors students for a trial run of the on-location course.  In May of 2018, we will be taking our first Global Honors Program class (26 students) for the full on-location course.  We thought it was a good idea to test it on a smaller scale first!  We fly out tomorrow and will be in São Paulo for eight full days.  Then, we are headed to Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil to see the spectacular waterfalls and to discuss the experiences we had in São Paulo, including:

• Portuguese lessons at the Methodist University of São Paulo
• Seminars on human rights and sustainability in Brazil at the Methodist University of São Paulo
• A visit to the Atlantic Rain Forrest
• A capoeira workshop (Brazilian martial arts) at the Methodist University of São Paulo
• A job shadow experience within each student’s field of interest
• A meeting with 27million to hear about their ministry in São Paulo.

Wow!  This is in addition to normal tourist activities and experiencing a completely new culture—one that is warm, friendly, and vibrant!

The campus of the Methodist University of São Paulo

I am confident that this trip will change the way that these students see the world, how they see God, and how they relate to those around them.  In experiencing the diversity that God has created, we are able to better understand who God is.  I am excited to be a part of this transformative experience in their lives!

I am so thrilled to go back to Brazil!  I look forward to reconnecting with our friends in Brazil, and I am excited to lay the foundation for this integral component in the Global Honors Program.  I must admit that I am also excited to be able to order suco de manga again!!  Stay tuned for future blog posts from our four students (Stephanie, Kirsten, Anna, and Martha) as they share and reflect on their experiences in Brazil.  Keep reading—it will be just like you are experiencing this exciting adventure with us!