Fellow Stories

Discovering Brazil

Sophie Auvin

2018-11-28

This Saturday will mark not only the start of summer here in Brazil but also my first three months in-country. It is weird to think about how just under 90 days ago, I arrived in Florianopolis knowing nothing about Brazilian language or culture. So, to celebrate all that I have learned and all that is...

"If it’s different, is it wrong?"

Jovana Jovanovska

2018-11-28

I was born in a multi ethnic community. At an early age I was exposed to different cultures, languages and religions. Amongst that, many times I’ve also experienced tensions and a lack of tolerance for “the other groups”. I was born in a region where schools are still divided in terms of different ethnicities and...

A reality check

Sophia Alfaro

2018-11-28

I came in like a sparkler: bright, fun, and shooting embers in every direction. Now, I’ve burnt out. I’ve been held mid-air, slowly disintegrating, becoming smaller and less explosive. I am no longer reacting, no longer on fire. With nothing left to spark, to light, I have been left behind on the ground, a stick...

Shorts and a tee

Tiarnan Ferry

2018-11-28

A year ago today, I was bundled from head to toe freezing my toes off in the Pennsylvania winds of a late November night. I never thought a year later I’d be in shorts and a tee and walking to school, not to learn but to teach. It’s pretty amazing so far. No homework, and...

The Power of a Single Word

Eliza Stowe

2018-11-28

A picture can tell a thousand words, but sometimes a single word can paint an entire picture. If my time here in Ecuador has taught me anything, it’s the importance of a single word. Living in a Spanish-speaking community while speaking a limited amount of Spanish, has made me realize how important words are. On...

Defining Normal

Jacqueline Oeschger

2018-11-27

I’m having a hard time defining normal. Considering I have never once in my life been called this, nor can I say I associate with it in nearly any way. But, after shaving my brothers head, stepping over half dead crickets and chicken bones to get to my room I turned around and looked at...

An Ecuador Mixtape

Grace Partridge

2018-11-26

One of my favorite parts of the day is the breathtaking bus rides through the mountains, where I am often blessed with the company of my *vecina*, Avry. I’ve made a playlist of a few favorite songs we frequently share earbuds to on our daily drives. Follow the link to Spotify to channel some carefree...

A White Man’s Perspective: Something You Have Already Heard Before

William Shain

2018-11-26

Not every part of this journey is amazing. Many parts are unforgettable, but that’s not always a good thing. The picture above is from a park in Ibarra, the hub city for fellows in my area. Walking through on my way to lunch, I was caught dead in my tracks. At first, I searched for...

Interviewing with Rocks in my Mouth

Ariella Brodie-Weisberg

2018-11-25

Upon arriving in Garopaba, a feeling of unwelcomeness seeped into every space I occupied, both internal and external. I felt too intense, too radical, too political too masculine, too much of too many things. I considered my queerness, something that informs most of what I do, to be a great burdon. I did not see...

Dafa Sedd, It’s Cold

2018-11-25

Dafa feex Dafa tang Dafa sedd You never know what you’re gonna get Once you are together Once you are apart Jean-Paul Sartre told me You may play a part Exciting the dullness of life You may be deprived You may be sad But you may also be satisfied Again you may be down Next...

Disposable Diaries

Hannah Dang

2018-11-25

October – November xoxo

The art of not doing anything

Aissatou Tagaty Badio

2018-11-23

October 2018 “Take this upstairs and I’ll join you in a few” say my mother as I was standing in the middle of the corridor, freshly awoken and slightly confused. In my head, I tell myself: “Wait, there is an upstairs?” She then points the stairs right next to me, in the middle of the...