Hey blog!
We're a couple weeks in...
The biggest news for this week is that I moved into my apartment at Uliving! I am sharing a “studio” style apartment here with a roommate from Brazil (we met on move in day)!
Getting adjusted back to a freshman year roommate situation is different than what I expected for this semester, but there’s positives to every situation and I really have a super easy and sweet roommate which I’m thankful for!! Another thing that’s different is the communal kitchen in my apartment building. Basically, my studio apartment has a mini fridge, microwave, and a sink. It’s enough for small stuff, but if you want to cook, you have to go to the communal kitchen. This huge kitchen is set up like a cooking competition. It has five or six separate stations each with a stove, sink, oven and extra counter space. There’s big communal tables, microwaves, and fridges all along the room. It actually is a cool setup and it’s been fun when I have friends cooking at the same time! I’ve also gotten to meet people there, and it also ends up being a hangout spot on the weekends. I’ll include a picture on my next blog (there’s always so many people in there so it’s awkward). But, with all the fun, it makes cooking harder too because you are bringing things up and down from your room, and nothing in that kitchen is necessarily yours. If you’re not in the mood to be around people when you’re cooking, it can get a little draining. Also, laundry here costs around $2 per each load, and it's also communal style. Most times I've had to drag my clothes through about 10 floors until I find one that is empty and working. Another adventure. +
The setup when I first came into my room- my favorite part is my shelf space, I'll include a picture later when it's all done
My bed! It's a lot happier in there when the window is open haha
My desk setup (going to tape up some pictures soon)
Moving on...
To get real, I have been feeling pretty homesick. I think a lot of my cohort wasn’t necessarily ready to leave home before coming to Brazil. We only had a month between our Singapore semester and school starting in Rio, and it went by insanely fast. We ended school way after USC did, and we started school a month before USC too. A lot of people in my program (me included) are also job/internship searching this semester, so everyone seems to be a little more distracted than normal and not as focused on touring around and seeing everything (like it has been the other two semesters abroad). I know this will change with some time, but it is hard to transition from finally being home, to then uprooting ourselves again and trying to get adjusted into a completely new school, city, and country.
Pulling from my last blog, I am still not officially registered for three out of the four classes I am taking this quarter… it’s honestly been really frustrating and I don’t have access to the coursework because of it. I have had to ask friends for everything. I’ve talked to my professors and they have tried to help too, but it’s becoming a problem because the main registration office for incoming students hasn’t been replying to me. It’s caused some stress and I’m just ready to see FOUR classes in my student portal.. not just one lol. But, these are the little things that take patience with any new school or study abroad. It’ll get worked out, but right now it’s getting to me (especially since I have been dealing with this issue on and off since early July).
Ok- onto another positive note. Something that I am looking forward to is volunteering with the program “EduMais”. This is a school dedicated to teaching kids who live in Pavão-Pavãozinho and Cantagalo favelas in Rio. The program give them access to education that they would not otherwise receive, and they provide English courses, business skill courses, and advanced technological/mind training courses that volunteers can all help out with. We had an info session about this opportunity this past week, and I just submitted my application yesterday, so hopefully I’ll get an interview and start volunteering this Wednesday! My class schedule is completely open on Wednesday’s, so I applied saying that I could work two shifts then. I am really excited about this… I know if I get to do it, it will really fill my cup and give me a new sense of purpose in my new home.
Studying abroad is hard. This is my third time doing it, and some things are a lot easier than the first time, but some things are just inevitable no matter how many times you do it. Sometimes I feel guilty if I’m not having the time of my life, because study abroad is so often glamorized. And, if I tell people that I’m in Rio de Janeiro, they assume I’m living my absolute best life automatically- which is true sometimes of course but not all the time.
Unrelated- BUT here is a pic of my cafeteria food. I'm obsessed and will eat here every day that I can.
After talking with my family I realized that I still have not been able to be a tourist in Rio. I haven’t gotten to do all of the fun things yet, because I moved in and school started immediately at the end of July. It gave us no time to relax and enjoy, and we were all (and have been) preoccupied with buying things for our apartments, going to school and learning our schedules, getting groceries and cooking, and trying to settle into our lives. Good news though- one of my lifelong best friends is coming to visit me next week!!! It’s given me something really fun to look forward to, and we’ve been making lists and planning so many things that both of us need to see.
One of MANY chaotic trips to malls and stores to get everything set up
I’ve been reminded that even things that would be so simple for you to do at home, aren’t simple in the beginning of an abroad semester. You have to relearn where you get all your groceries, products, clothes, kitchen things… the list goes on and on. Another thing I’m getting adjusted to in Rio
Also, since we’re on the topic of challenging things, long distance with any of your favorite people is hard. Whether it's a relationship, your family, or your best friends, it’s hard. And trying to balance making friendships here while being grounded in my ones from home is always challenging. But, one thing I’m thankful for is the time change here. It’s only an hour from home, which is so much easier than Singapore and makes me feel a lot closer. But it's still hard.
Pic sent to my family/friends after finally setting up my room. I was very proud. I don't like move in day without my parents and people!!!! :(
Ok, since this week has been a little up and down for me, I’m gonna end with a “homesickness tip” :)
Music helps. Genuinely. Also, move. Get out of your room (it’s hard when you’re not feeling it) and get a friend to go on walk, do a HIIT workout, feel good about YOURSELF at least. Even if you’re uncomfortable, these little things help. Right now I’m blasting one of my favorite songs while writing this, and I’m leaving to go on a run with my friend in 10 minutes- so I’m taking my own advice. It’s a day by day adventure and I’m just gonna lean into the discomfort until it starts feeling more normal here haha. We grow the most in discomfort!!!!
Also- a lot of people have been asking me about safety here. It's another new layer to get used to, but I've been cautious with my phone, worn less jewelry, and have taken so many Ubers with friends to get around (super common here). My area is known to be pretty safe, but it's an adjustment. I'm still trying to feel out which places (if any) I can run with my phone or wear headphones. I'm really aware and always watching, but it can wear you out. It's weird taking Ubers to school, but it's the safest option.
I've walked/ran on this trail probably 50 times already... so many good talks and BREATHTAKING views!!! So lucky to have this space!!
Also, there's weekend markets in a lot of areas and this is one that I went to! There's art, clothes, food, jewelry, house stuff, and so much more!!
Thanks for reading and keeping up, I appreciate you!!
Much love,
Brigitte <3
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