In the summer of 2013, with a lot of worry and fear in my stomach, I boarded the plane to São Paulo. I left a summer-warm Sweden and arrived in a Brazil that was then in winter.
At the airport I was met by my host family, and after another couple of hours by car we found ourselves in the city that would be my home for a year. The first thing I remember about my city is the hug I got from a relative of the family. A stranger hugged me and assured me that I was safe – even though I’d left everything safe behind me.
My exchange has shaped who I am today and I don’t regret it for a second. It was the best choice I’ve ever made. During my year I got to pet dolphins in the Amazon, go to the carnival in Rio de Janeiro, eat lots of new food and meet friends for life. During the year I became fluent in Portuguese, which I still master today – something that carries extra weight when you’re applying for jobs.
My confidence grew enormously, and even though, like everyone else, I had tough periods, I came out of them considerably stronger. My ability to adapt and resolve conflicts was put to the test in the host families, but I gained an experience of the country that can never be compared. My exchange was a wild adventure, and if you’re open to experiencing the world, I recommend it with all my heart!
Ready to experience the world? It's free to register your interest. Read more about the one-year exchange.