Adriana Bussel-Alonso

I saw my semester abroad as an opportunity to fully immerse myself in Brazilian life and challenge myself in new ways. I wanted to experience Brazil not just as a visitor passing through, but as someone truly living there.

Florianópolis is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to! I would not have called myself an outdoorsy person before, but from hiking to spending weekends at its spectacular beaches, I loved taking advantage of these new experiences the island had to offer. Some of my favorite memories came from spending time with friends hiking, surfing, and sandboarding. I felt I was able to connect with the Brazilian culture and community by sharing meals with my host family, listening to Brazilian music, speaking Portuguese, and by experiencing student life with the friends I made at the host university, UFSC.

Through the Middlebury program, I also got to travel to Salvador, Bahia, and Niterói, across the bay from Rio. Visiting different regions of Brazil allowed me to experience how diverse the country is, from its history and traditions to its landscapes and local cultures.

I had to learn to step outside my comfort zone and build a community from scratch. Those experiences helped me grow by becoming more adaptable, confident, and an advocate for myself.