Will's Report For The Month of November

Posted by Ernest Hauser 
 

My Brazilian Adventures
November

 

            So as promised in last month’s report, I have more things to talk about and a couple of “exchange changing” experiences. This month I changed host families by surprise on the 9th. My exchange officer gave me a letter two days before the move saying I was moving immediately. It was not a bad reason for the move, it was just the family was ready to host again after their exchange student went home early a couple months ago. I welcomed this change and so far I love it! The family is amazing and dad LOVES American history, so we sit down on some nights and watch “Band of Brothers”. He has also given me “Mein Kompf” to read because of my interest in WWII. It’s in Portuguese though, so I will sort through it at a later date. They also live right next to downtown Patos, so everything is accessible by foot, including school, which leads into my “exchange changing” experiences.

 

       

 
As soon as I moved families, I started to help out with English classes in the afternoons at school from 3:30-6:30. These are just tutoring classes for the kids at school that want the extra help. It is nice because there are only 8-12 kids in each of the three classes, so I get to interact with the kids more. I do this every Monday – Thursday, which also gives me something to do in the afternoons instead of staying at home. The English teacher gave me an invitation to help out when I arrived in Brazil but where my first family lived, it was not possible to do so. Now, I am blessed to be able to help out because I have created so many relationships with the kids in those classes, especially the ones from 6th grade. Those kids can be a handful at times but I love working with them. I think I now have 4 “sisters” in that class and there is one that has become a sister I never had. It is wonderful to make relationships like these because they truly make your exchange better.

Today marked the end of the school year for me and summer break begins. Can’t say I have ever had two summer breaks (and two summer seasons) in one year. I must admit I love the idea! I really don’t have any plans for the summer. I think my family and I will just get up and go where ever we go. I honestly like it this way, getting up not knowing where my next adventure will take place. Also cost effective and another neat way to spend time with my host family which up until summer break, I have not been able too spend much time with because of work, school, and whatever else keeps us busy. It will be nice to slow down and bond with them.

I think November has been my best month here. Having a new family, making new friends and special/important relationships with people have really mixed into a wonderful month. Teachers and kids at school have noticed I have been much happier this month because I have been, in their words, “funnier, entertaining, more open, speaking more”. One teacher also pointed out I have made more friends at school because of it. I also can’t believe I am typing up a report for November already, wasn’t it just October? They weren’t kidding at orientation about time flying by. Just have to enjoy my time while it lasts because it truly has been the best time of my life! Until next time, hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas next month and tchau!