May 13, 2025
Its Not Over Yet
I leave in just 21 days
How is that even possible? Didn’t I just get on the plane to come to Brazil? It feels like I blinked, and suddenly I’m at the end of something that still feels so new in many ways. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around how quickly time has passed. I have so many memories, but at the same time, it almost feels like a fever dream, like none of it was real.
I was on a call with my family the other day, talking to my dad, and he said something that’s stuck with me ever since. He told me to enjoy every single moment of my exchange while I still can because i can't relive it again. That one sentence has been in my mind ever since. Yes, I can always visit Brazil, and I definitely will, but it won’t be the same. I’ll never again be able to study here as a high school student. I won’t live with my best friend again for months on end and I won’t be able to relive those little moments with my host families and friends. This chapter of my life is one of a kind, and I’m trying to live every single moment like it’s my last. I’m holding onto these memories with everything I’ve got, and I know I’ll carry them with me for the rest of my life.
But enough about the future, let me give some life updates!
So much has happened since the last time I sat down to write a journal. I remember someone telling me that the end of your exchange is when you finally feel the most comfortable, when your social life is great and when you’re the happiest you’ve ever been during your time abroad. Honestly, that couldn’t be more true for me.
There was some unexpected news for me recently. My third host family wasn’t able to host me in the end due to travel plans and other complications, and unfortunately, they let Rotary know at the last minute. My current host family was also traveling until right before I leave, which left me in a weird situation without a place to stay. But then I got the BEST news ever! Giovanna, my best friend here in Brazil, offered for me to stay with her and her family for my last month.
Her family has already felt like a second family to me, we’ve spent so much time together that I was already super comfortable with them. I knew how they lived, and they welcomed the idea of hosting me. Her dad and I even have our own handshake, and every time I tell him I like a certain food, he goes and buys it for me immediately. I feel completely at home in their house, and honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to close out this incredible year.
Giovanna and I made a bucket list of all the things we want to do before I leave, and it’s been so much fun working through it together. We’re determined to check off every single item. Here’s what we’ve got on the list so far:
Bucket List for the Final Month:
Go to the pier at least 3 times
Bike around the whole beach
Visit the center of Santos (Pele Museum and Coffee Museum)
Go to São Paulo, São Vicente, Praia Grande, and Guaraú
Eat a LOT of Brazilian food
Play volleyball at the beach every day
Bowling night
Swim in the ocean (even if it’s freezing!)
Try cooking different Brazilian dishes
Have a proper Brazilian barbecue
Host a goodbye party
So far, we’ve already done a few, like our bowling night and biking the full beach, but there’s still so much more we want to check off our list. I know we’re going to make it all happen.
In April, I got to celebrate Easter with my first host family. I didn’t expect Easter in Brazil to be such a big celebration, but it really was. First, we went to my host grandma’s house for a huge lunch. It felt like Thanksgiving with how much food there was! Then we went to my host aunt’s house in Praia Grande for the Easter, and I swear I’ve never seen so much chocolate in my entire life. It was so good to spend time with my first host family again. They were the first people who welcomed me to Brasil, and they’ve done so much for me.
Just last week, I had my final meeting with my Rotary Club. I still can’t believe it was the last one. That meeting was very special. I got to give a presentation about my entire exchange year, from the very beginning up to now. Putting together the slideshow and going through all my pictures gave me literal chills. It was amazing to look back and realize just how much I’ve grown and experienced. So many people complimented my Portuguese, which meant a lot to me. I got to say my goodbyes to some truly amazing people who helped make my exchange what it was.
This year has changed me in ways I never imagined. It’s been beautiful, challenging, emotional, exciting and absolutely unforgettable. As the days count down, I’m not focusing on the sadness of leaving just yet. Instead, I’m living up every second, every laugh, every sunset, every bite of pão de queijo, and every hug from the people who have become family.
I still can’t believe how fast it’s all gone, but I also can’t believe how lucky I am to have lived it.
Tchau e beijos!