I arrived in Vienna on August 26th for my long-awaited exchange year in Slovakia. Even though this is not my first exchange program, I found myself as anxious as if it were my first time outside Brazil again. Staying in a village with only 1800 inhabitants was definitely scary for someone who comes from such a big country as Brazil, but I am managing to enjoy my time here more than I could ever expected.
Trip to Terchova with my host family
Nastia and I on our first days at school
On my first days, I was lucky to meet Nastia, another exchange student that’s basically in the same city as me, and who’s being so far my partner in all adventures in Slovakia. We both go to the same school, a Gymnazium in Skalica, where we attend classes as any other Slovak students. Going to school in a language you don’t understand is a really big challenge. So is to live your whole routine without really knowing what’s happening around you. Because of that, I’m dedicating myself a lot to learn Slovak as soon as I can! And not only Slovak, as I found myself on the border of Slovakia and Czechia, I’m also learning at least the basics of Czech to be able to fully understand what people are saying to me (no, the languages are not so similar as everyone says to me hahaha).
Brazilian exchange students at the meeting in Kroměříž
Me with the girls at the meeting in Kroměříž
And it’s impossible not to talk about the best part of the exchange for me so far, which was meeting people from all over the world. I love meeting people, and I was so excited to meet everyone who would be with me throughout this year! At our first meeting in Kroměříž, I met so many incredible people! I’m so glad the exchange program could provide me with this experience. Meeting all these different cultures and being able to show my own to them has been truly amazing, and I’m so excited to meet everyone again!
I hope by the end of this year I’ll be able to fully understand the Slovak and Czech language, visit a lot of different places, and make so many friends! I’m looking forward to seeing with my own eyes how this famous Easter is here haha, and until then, I’ll be working to make this year a wonderful experience for me.
Anna BARBOSA, District 4571, Brazil → RC Valtice – Břeclav, Slovakia
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