Rotary Exchange Student - Jess Mokrzycki's April report from Brazil
Posted by Marina Lamb
on Apr 29, 2014
Here is Jess' April report!
Even if you know it or not, it’s true that every person that passes through our lives, either making a small or big impact, takes part of making us who we are today. My exchange year has opened up so much to me, from the unforgettable experiences with a balance of ups and downs to the adventure and to the discovery to the challenges. Everything I have faced has got me to where I am now. With my mind going a thousand miles a second, as I start to look at the palm of my hand and see what I’ve experienced in the past nine months. Of course I am left with that endless question of time. Here I am writing to you my 9th monthly report people…
Click on more to read her report.
I can’t stress enough emphasizing how great my past 9 months have been. I am so thankful as I’ve been one lucky girl when it comes to everything from great families, travel opportunities and what not. Dare I say - perhaps my big travel days may have slowed down? Reflecting back on my month of March, it’s clear to see I’ve been quite lucky being able to have gone to both Rio de Janeiro and Peru. Heading in to the month of April, you could say my month was at a more ‘tranquillo’ pace. After arriving back to my city at the beginning of my April I had someone visit my house. My friend from the Netherlands who is doing exchange in a city nearby came to visit for 8 days. It was so nice to have her here and also great as the majority of the exchange students in my city got together and on top of that, we also went to our first Brazilian concert, a singer name Ivete Sangalo. My first outdoor concert in the mud fighting with the rain. It was fun! This month I visited the University of UNESP and watched classes of Social Sciences, which was interesting. I am quite lucky that I get the opportunity to mix up my day to day studies. Also another activity of this month was donating all the donations I gathered from my birthday. I donated all the products to an old folks home ‘Ashilo Casa Do Caminho’.
As I’ve been living with my current family now for 3 months it’s normally the time to change. As this is my third family and I am meant to change every month, I’m filled with absolute joy that I have the opportunity to stay with my current family for the next 3 months. I’ve became extremely close with my current family and I am overjoyed to be able to stay here for the remainder of my exchange. I feel right at home here with my Brazilian family. As the Easter weekend came by, I made a Traditional-Polish dish for my family..(being the polish-canadian I am).. I made perogies, which surprisingly turned out good. ( ha-ha ) My easter weekend was very sweet in many ways, with an a abundance of chocolate and great weather as well as a ton of bike rides and time with my Brazilian family and friends.
April seems to me to have somehow just started but has already somehow came to an end. I hope your month of April was just dandy and that you had a cherishing time with your families and all is beyond well. Sending lots of love your way.
Is that the Month of May coming around the corner. How can that be? Looks like I’m heading on to my 10th month. Could anyone else be as surprised as I am? Time is sure flying and I look forward knowing there is a big part of me here now and I know there always will be. I smile looking back at the past 9 months and smile knowing that the next 3 will be filled with greatness. Making every last moment worth it, that’s all I can do! Never will there ever be enough thank yous said, thank you so much for making this all possible for me. As the month of April was short yet sweet who knows what May will bring? Big hugs being sent from me to you – Month 10, I’m ready for you!!!