Lucas Battel
Posted by Edward Covelli
Hello, everybody!
When I decided to do this Exchange Program, I was completely unsure about the outcome. A lot of people told me it was an excellent decision, life-changing. On the other hand, some said that it would be a hard time, being away from my family, friends, country. Anyway, what I knew for sure is that it would be an adventure.
When I decided to do this Exchange Program, I was completely unsure about the outcome. A lot of people told me it was an excellent decision, life-changing. On the other hand, some said that it would be a hard time, being away from my family, friends, country. Anyway, what I knew for sure is that it would be an adventure.
I had a lot of work to do. Fill out the applications, medical appointments, get my passport, visa, school transcript, plane tickets, health insurance... It was a big challenge even before I came! I only actually found out I was coming to the USA in June, so I was rushing to get all the documentation right.
After two long months, I was getting into the plane. I had never been out of Brazil before. I was wondering if I had made the right decision. If I hadn't, it was too late.
Ten hours later, I was arriving at the JFK airport, where I met an American for the first time, Tony Maccarini. I was happy and relieved. The dream finally came true!
As time went by, things only got better and better. Everything was new. Everyone was different. During my first weeks, staying with Lisa Gold, I felt more energetic than ever! I even went to some soccer practices to test the Brazilian stereotype (which I found, in my case, was not true). I finally went inside the High School for the first time. It was even bigger than it looked! I was a little scared, didn't know what to expect. But in the end, I simply loved it!
Then, I was going to meet my first host family, the Covelli's. I was anxious but afraid of doing something stupid. They took me to the Lake Carmel, where I had a wonderful day with them all. (I guess I didn't do anything stupid).
Then, time started to go really fast. I was moving to their house, school was starting, and when I realized, I had already been here for one month.
People in Carmel were really nice to me. It wasn't hard at all to make friends in school. At that time, I was already 200% sure I had made the best decision of my life.
Now, I've been here for more than three months! Sometimes I wonder what would I be doing if I hadn't made this decision? How different would my life be? And each day that passes, I realize that I am a completely different person: much better than I used to be, much worse than I will be at the end of this year.
I just would like to thank you all for your support and kindness. I am extremely lucky to be in such a wonderful place, full of even more wonderful people!
Sincerely, Lucas.
After two long months, I was getting into the plane. I had never been out of Brazil before. I was wondering if I had made the right decision. If I hadn't, it was too late.
Ten hours later, I was arriving at the JFK airport, where I met an American for the first time, Tony Maccarini. I was happy and relieved. The dream finally came true!
As time went by, things only got better and better. Everything was new. Everyone was different. During my first weeks, staying with Lisa Gold, I felt more energetic than ever! I even went to some soccer practices to test the Brazilian stereotype (which I found, in my case, was not true). I finally went inside the High School for the first time. It was even bigger than it looked! I was a little scared, didn't know what to expect. But in the end, I simply loved it!
Then, I was going to meet my first host family, the Covelli's. I was anxious but afraid of doing something stupid. They took me to the Lake Carmel, where I had a wonderful day with them all. (I guess I didn't do anything stupid).
Then, time started to go really fast. I was moving to their house, school was starting, and when I realized, I had already been here for one month.
People in Carmel were really nice to me. It wasn't hard at all to make friends in school. At that time, I was already 200% sure I had made the best decision of my life.
Now, I've been here for more than three months! Sometimes I wonder what would I be doing if I hadn't made this decision? How different would my life be? And each day that passes, I realize that I am a completely different person: much better than I used to be, much worse than I will be at the end of this year.
I just would like to thank you all for your support and kindness. I am extremely lucky to be in such a wonderful place, full of even more wonderful people!
Sincerely, Lucas.