Fellow Stories

Little Rain Cakes — October 28, 2015

Eve Harris

2015-12-23

Last week, I decided to start volunteering at a local preschool in addition to volunteering at Projeto Lontra because I wanted to spend more time working with children.  I go to the preschool Monday afternoons and Wednesday mornings.  Because I do not have any formal teaching training, I am just an “amiga” or “tia,” a teacher who is more of...

How to Make a Bed in Brazil — October 25, 2015

Eve Harris

2015-12-23

  I know how to make my bed. After all, I have been making my bed since I could tie my shoes. Bottom fitted sheet top sheet pillows with pillowcases blankets comforter:  sleep in it at night and make it in the morning.   There’s nothing to it, right?  Wrong.   When I arrived at my new...

“Adulthood” — September 23, 2015

Eve Harris

2015-12-23

  I reject the number 18.  Eighteen. In the picture above, I am two-years old and my dad is thirty.  The age difference between my dad here and me now is the same as the age difference between my baby sister and I.  It seems inconceivable (to quote one of my favorite characters), that that tiny little girl headed to...

Whistles — September 21, 2015

Eve Harris

2015-12-23

  When I blow a whistle, one of two things happens: kids start scooping up rings and rubber ducks or a river otter hops up on its hind legs like a meerkat and pokes its little face in a tube. I spent many mornings in 2015 working at Hayden Recreation Center as a lifeguard and swim instructor.  This...

Pimenta — September 19, 2015

Eve Harris

2015-12-23

  From left: Anna Louisa, my host niece, Pureza, my host mother, Joara, my host sister, Octavio, my host nephew, Jezia, my other host sister, and Jesse, my host father. I have spent my first two weeks in Brazil living with my host family in Curitiba, the capitol city of Parana, one of the southern-most states in Brazil.  The...

Searching for Success with SESI

ericagonzales08

2015-12-23

It’s been 3 months since I’ve entered my community here in Paranaguá. I’ve already overcome some challenges (such as learning how to ride a bike), but the challenge that remains is with my apprenticeship.  I’m still confused and feel as if I’m a failure. After 3 months, shouldn’t I feel that I’m growing as a...

Happy Moments/LGBTQ/Host Family/ Music

Deonte' Lee

2015-12-15

Just Some Thoughts and an Attempt at an Update 12/10/2015

Steven Schwab

2015-12-11

I’m easily realizing – I can’t necessarily say quickly realizing – that it’s too easy to get lost in one’s thoughts, to get trapped per se. It can feel like I am running on a treadmill without an end and it can also feel like I am opening a door to escape some mental reality...

The arrow

Zoe Barnes

2015-12-04

Culture shock. Homesickness. Loneliness. Lingual incompetence. FOMO (fear of missing out). Just a few on the list of difficulties I should be prepared to face during my eight months in Brazil. It was no surprise when these topics were introduced in both orientation at Tufts and upon arrival in Curitiba for in-country orientation, as they...

LGBTQIA+ voice blog

Deonte' Lee

2015-12-01

The Language in the city      

Friend or Foe

Gabriel Lucas Yerdon

2015-11-22

    I make the trip to R3 Animal monday-friday with the goal of helping the struggling animals that have wound up there. Yet still, with these caring thoughts in mind, I get pecked on the head repeatedly by toucans, attacked mercilessly by many a parrot and have to play chicken with angry marmosets (squirrel-sized...

Capoeira

Maria Nazarova

2015-11-21

    Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I have the opportunity of participating in a Capoeira class. Capoeira is defined as “a system of physical discipline and movement originating among Brazilian slaves, treated as a martial art and dance form”. It is well known throughout all of Brazil and allows me to be a part of...