Exchange Student Takes Us Home

Posted by Jon Winston 
 
Isadora Quintanilha, our inbound Exchange Student from Brazil, has been in Santa Cruz for 8 months attending SCHS and learning the ins and outs of being a American kid.  Isadora has attended many of our weekly meetings throughout the year, but we've never really had the opportunity to get to know her and her background.  Today we had the pleasure.
 

Youth Exchange Chair, Mark Junod, introduced "Isa" and from the moment she took the podium, she lit up the room (which is not easy to do at 7:30 am) with her energy, enthusiasm, confidence and pride of her home in Brazil. 

Isa demonstrated her excellent command of English as she took us on a PowerPoint tour of the geography and culture of Brazil.   She opened by sharing that as an only child she's very close to her parents.  Not having seen them since coming to the US has been one of her biggest challenges. Isa, like her parents, were born and grew up in Rio de Janeiro.  It's clear she's very proud of her city and the diverse and expansive country of Brazil.  

Isa's beautiful photos showed Rio, the most multi-cultural city in the world, as the home to an amazing array sights, sounds and events.   She described the gigantic "Cristo Redentor" atop Corcovado mountain, named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World; Sugarloaf mountain; and the world renowned beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, Barra da Tijuca and Isa's favorite, Itacobera.

Favorite Brazilian sports include volleyball, basketball, tennis and, of course soccer.  In fact, like most South American and European countries, Brazil lives for its soccer.   National holidays are declared whenever Brazil is competing the World Cup, especially against it's number #1 rival - Argentina.  Many of the worlds best soccer players hail from Brazil such as: Pele, Zico, Ronaldo, Garrincha and Rivelino. 

Why only one name, you ask?  Isa explained that it is a long held tradition in Brazil to be known by only your first name, or a nickname.  Pretty impressive (or confusing :)) for a country with nearly 12 million inhabitants!

According to Isa, Brazilians love to eat, too!  Especially rice & beans!   A typical home cooked meal consists of the staple rice & beans with french fries and a meat dish.  Did you notice that longing look in her eyes when she described her home cooked beans & rice? 

And let's not forget about one other things Brazil is famous for: partying! Carnival, samba, capoeira, dancing, festivals, music - Isa described having fun as being at the very core of every Brazilian.   You got to love a country that really knows how to party!

After sharing a few words with Al Rodrigues in Portuguese, Brazil's native tongue, and describing how much easier school is here in the States (she really likes that!), Isa was asked what she thought the one most significant thing that could be taken from the Brazilian culture to improve ours here.  Without a pause she declared: Hugs!   Brazilians are very open, loving and affectionate people who immediately make you feel welcome with a warm embrace.   Americans could really benefit by giving each other more hugs.   Good advice, if you ask me.