Erika’s Journals

March 15, 2025

Life is Short and the World is Wide

Wow, I can’t believe it’s already been over seven months since I’ve been in Brazil. Time has flown by, and as I look back on all the incredible memories I’ve made, I feel so lucky to have had the chance to experience something like this. The past few months have been filled with trips, hangouts, and learning about new Brazilian traditions, and every moment has been unforgettable.

January was my “Dreamtrip”,  an adventure across the northeast of Brazil and when I tell you it was the BEST month of my life, I mean it! I left on January 12th and the night before I stayed with another exchange student close to the airport. The flight was super smooth and relaxing, but once we landed we had a 9-hour bus ride to Fortaleza. Honestly, the long bus ride turned out to be amazing because it gave us all the chance to get to know each other. We became friends fast and by the time we arrived at the hotel, I already felt like I was surrounded by family. The hotel wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but it was very cozy and despite not having talked much with my roommates on the bus, we clicked almost instantly and spent hours talking each night before bed.

The first day in Fortaleza was incredible, even though it rained a lot. We went on buggy rides and it was a blast! The pit stops along the way showed beautiful views of the sand dunes and it felt so surreal to be there. That first day really helped me bond with everyone and by the end of it I had made so many new friends.

The first week of the Dreamtrip was unforgettable. We had another 10-hour bus ride, another buggy ride, went to a water park, and even went horseback riding. During the trip, I posted tons of videos for the Instagram of my Rotary district in Brazil and even though my time to post officially ended, I couldn’t stop. I kept recording video after video and every day I’d ask everyone to say "Hey vlog!" and by the end of the trip I edited everything into a video that I know will be a memory for everyone. Throughout the trip, many of the cities we visited had beautiful beaches and some days we had the whole day free just to relax by the water. These moments of downtime were so refreshing after the busy schedule. 

It’s hard to put into words how much I connected with everyone on this trip. Being with 40 people for an entire month, with 10-hour bus rides every few days, it’s inevitable that you’ll form strong friendships. One of my favorite memories was experiencing Carnaval in Olinda. Everyone spent hours getting ready, trying on costumes, and doing our makeup and hairstyles. Then we went to the parade, where professional dancers taught us the moves and we spent hours running up and down the streets dancing with the crowd. It was something so new and different, but the energy was incredible and I’ll never forget it.

Another unforgettable experience was in lencois. This part of the trip was different from the rest because we weren’t near any beaches. Instead we spent our days hiking to waterfalls and exploring caves. On the first day, it rained a little, but it actually made the waterfall hike even more fun. The rain helped us slide down the rocks at full speed making it feel like a waterpark. The hotel we stayed at was small but had such a traditional vibe and I was so happy it wasn’t one of those giant high-rise hotels we had already stayed at.

It’s hard to explain how much I loved this trip. It honestly felt like I lived a whole lifetime in just one month and I’m so grateful to have had such an amazing experience. Before I knew it the trip was coming to an end and we were in Rio de Janeiro, which was beyond amazing. The hotel we stayed at had a view of Christ the Redeemer and it felt like a dream. We visited iconic places like the Selaron Steps, Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, and of course, the Christ the Redeemer statue, which looked even more impressive in person. One of the highlights of Rio was going to Pão de Açúcar, and then taking a helicopter ride around the mountain and Christ the Redeemer during sunset. The view was absolutely breathtaking.

The last day in Rio was bittersweet. While we had made incredible memories and lifelong friends, it also meant that the trip was ending. I remember thinking to myself, “How did a whole month feel like just two days?” We had one hour to say our goodbyes and then we went back to our rooms for the night. That hour was so emotional with everyone crying and saying their final goodbyes. The next morning most of the group had already left for their flights, but since I was closer to where I live I took the bus back. The whole ride home I spent editing my vlogs and reminiscing about all the amazing experiences I now have.

When I returned to Santos, I felt both happy and sad. It was so nice to see my school friends and my host family. My little host sister, ran up to me so excited that I was home and this made my return even sweeter. Things have settled back into a routine now, but it’s been great catching up with everyone. A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated Carnaval here in Santos, which isn’t as big as in other places, but I still made the most of it. I went to the beach with my friends for a celebration, and it was so fun. Everyone was dressed up and dancing, and there was even live music.

Right now, life feels peaceful and I’m really happy with how much I’ve grown personally. I’m grateful for every moment and excited to see what’s to come next.

Until next time! Beijos e tchau!