Solar student returns from US exchange
Franciele Martins de Souza, student from the 1st year of High School, participated of the Brayce exchange program in August of this year. She spent 3 weeks in Connecticut, USA, with all expenses paid.
We asked a few questions to find out how this experience was, whether she liked it and whether she would like to participate again. Check out the interview below:
- Where did your exchange go and how long did it last?
My exchange went to the United States and lasted 3 weeks: two at a camp (Camp Hazen) and another with a family who hosted me.
- How was camp?
Participating in the camp for me was amazing, because it was always my dream to travel abroad and it was also a great opportunity to improve my English.
- What was it like staying with an American family?
Staying with an American family was a lot of fun. My Host Mom was Brazilian, but my Host Daddy and my Host Sisters were American. Everyone was kind and funny.
- What were the other teenagers like and how did you interact with them?
In the camp and out of the camp, everyone I met was super cool, respectful, funny and very understanding because I was there to improve my English.
- What activities did you do?
I did canoeing, shirt customization, survival lesson, cooking class, paddle, construction of murals, navigation…
- What do you like best? And what least did you like?
I loved all the activities I did, but I had a lot of fun at Paddle time. There is no activity I did not like, but the one I least identified was navigation, because it was very complicated to navigate.
- What did you learn?
I learned a lot of things from the activities I did, but in relation to things in life, I learned a lot not to get caught up in just the same people and to always make new friends in the localities, to improve my English more and to lose some of the shame of communicating myself.
- What are you missing already?
I miss the friendships I made there, the food, the places I met and my Host Family.
- Would you like to make a new exchange? To where?
Of course, I would spend the rest of my life traveling around the world. I really want to get to know London and France.
Once again, Solar thanks all those who have made this exchange possible: Anna White, Diana Nijboer from partner institution EduMais, Rafael Guerra and Margot Calder from Brayce Program, Mais Caminhos, parents and caregivers of Franciele and Franciele herself.
