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PIME 2015
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Brazil Immersion 2015
The Adventure of a Lifetime
Marisa Ngbemeneh
I hardly knew.
The Cecoia students then performed a
beautiful dance in colorful plaid costumes
reminiscent of American “country western”
clothing. It was mesmerizing to see this
interweaving of cultures—of Brazilian dancers
performing a traditional dance to American
students from another hemisphere.
It wasn’t long afterwards that we met again
with the students from Notre Dame, whose energy
and linguistic skill proved extremely helpful in
interacting with the children. Because of them, we
were able to communicate with kids in basic
conversation and through such athletic excursions
as potato-spoon relays. Throughout each activity,
we connected more and more with the Cecoia kids,
laughing and dancing together, like two cultures in
perfect harmony.
After over three days of cancelled flights and
delayed departures, we finally arrived in São
Paulo. I, like the rest of my group, was tired,
hungry, and luggage-less. Yet all the misfortune
we had experienced could not even begin to
prepare me for the warm welcome we would be
met with in Brazil.
As we walked onto the Cecoia campus, we
were greeted by loud shouts and the buzz of
children’s conversations. Carol, a teacher at
Colegio Notre Dame, welcomed us with a smile
and embraced everyone in our group. Notre Dame
students followed suit, introducing themselves and
asking us questions about our fellow Holy Cross
school—Saint Francis High School—back home in
California. I’d never felt more connected to people
My CECOIA Experience
One of my favorite parts about the entire trip
would definitely include the food. Everything from
the traditional meal of beans and rice, to the
perfectly crispy pastel, to the sweet tapioca
desserts and guaraná soda was absolutely
delicious. On our visit to the parish of Santa Clara,
our hosts prepared a particularly remarkable meal
that ended with an incredible dessert of differently
flavored ice creams. I used to be content with
American food, but nothing in the United States
could come close to the rich flavor of Brazilian
food.
Paroquia Santa Clara
After our meal at the parish, we visited homes of
the sick, accompanied by several guides and CND
students. It was really powerful to share in the
experience of people struggling through life’s
hardships. It was especially difficult because we
couldn’t do much to help them other than offering
our compassion by being completely present in
their suffering.
Festas Juninas
Festas Juninas was one of my mostenjoyable experiences in Brazil, as it
was filled with great food, fun games, bonding with CND and Saint Francis students, and watching spectacularfireworks at the end of the night.
The absolute best part, however, of my experience in Brazil was interacting with the
CND students. Although it initially seemed a little intimidating to engage in conversation
with students from another country, the CND students we met were so welcoming and kind
that it was hardly a challenge at all. Their musical taste and sense of humor especially
lined up with mine, and made it even easier to connect with them. Before long we even
exchanged nicknames—mine was “crazy girl”—and developed inside jokes in the midst of
all our activities. From playing pick-up soccer (futebol), to selling cards at Festas Juninas,
to laughing about my dance moves during body percussion classes, to sharing jokes over
delicious meals, I was always smiling around the CND students. My experience would
have been incomplete without them, and the memories we made together have made this
trip unforgettable.
CND Students