Claire Taggart studied abroad with ISA in Florianópolis, Brazil Spring 2020 and is an ISA Global Ambassador at University of Indianapolis.
I was recently asked to provide one word to describe my study abroad experience in Florianópolis, Brazil. Without hesitation I said, “life-changing.” And I meant it. Spending a semester studying abroad directly changed the trajectory of my life. It doesn’t always happen like that, but I’ve never met someone who studied abroad who says that their life hasn’t been impacted. Maybe that means just opening your eyes to different cultures and ways of life, or it could mean what happened in my case: I found my home.
I’ve known that I wanted to study abroad for as long as I can remember. After living in the same house for my entire life, I was desperate to see the world. I didn’t even know where I wanted to go, but I knew I needed to go. I ended up choosing Brazil because my mom’s two brothers were adopted from Recife, Brazil, and even though they were adopted when they were babies, I still felt a strong family tie. The Office of Study Abroad at UIndy helped me find a program that was right for me and on February 1, 2020 I started my first day of Brazilian college with the help of ISA!
My first days in the island city of Florianópolis in Southern Brazil were incredible. I remember so clearly the joy and excitement that I felt as I saw the mountains and ocean for the first time from the plane. I was even able to see downtown, which was where I spent my first month with a host mom. I barely spoke Portuguese, but I started classes right away and I communicated with my host mom using a combination of Google Translate, hand motions, and smiles. I was greeted every morning with a type of Brazilian cheese bread called “pão de queijo” and a glass of homemade strawberry juice, before walking to campus for a day of classes. All of my classes were in English, aside from my language course, and we had breaks throughout the day to leave campus for a coffee and pastry.
I quickly connected with my fellow study abroad students and we did our best to take advantage of the gorgeous tropical island we now lived on. After class we explored downtown, got comfortable using the bus system as most people use public transportation, and challenged each other to who could visit the most beaches; there’s 42 on the island alone! But Floripa, as the locals call it, is not just a beach paradise. There’s also tons of mountains covered in thick jungle and a plethora of trails to hike. One of the highlights of my time with my peers was when we decided to do one of the most famous hikes on the island. A two-hour hike around the side of a mountain is the only way to access a secret beach and freshwater lake separated by a small sand bar. Near the end of the hike, we saw poisonous sea urchins and even a seal!
Another time that will live in my memory forever is the week of Carnaval, one of the biggest parties in the world. I feel so lucky to have been able to attend the last one before the COVID-19 pandemic hit worldwide. With incredible samba and funk music, crazy outfits, and nonstop celebrating, it was definitely a special experience. Unfortunately, the end of Carnaval signaled the end of the world we knew. Two weeks after the festivities died down, the world shut down. In mid-March, all study abroad students were evacuated from Florianópolis three months before we all thought we were going home.
I continued classes at my Brazilian university online from the United States, but it wasn’t the same. I had made such strong connections while I had been abroad and as soon as the Brazilian borders re-opened in August 2020, I decided that I was going to go back on my own. With a negative COVID test and online classes at UIndy, I got on a plane back to Brazil! The first few months were hard, I felt alone, and my Portuguese wasn’t great, but once I settled into an apartment I started going to skateparks and making friends with other skateboarders. I also reconnected with some other Americans there!
After an unexpected trip to Santiago, Chile, where I really didn’t do much because of quarantine regulations, I spent my first Christmas and New Years on the beach with my friends back in Floripa. It felt right and I was happy, not to mention that my Portuguese had improved significantly. My visa ran out March 1, 2021 and I had to come back to America. It was nice to see my family and friends back in Indiana, but I felt and still feel like something is missing. In Portuguese, there are some words that we don’t have in English and one of those words is “saudade” (pronounced s-ow-dah-jee). It basically means the actual feeling and longing that you have when you miss someone or something, but it’s stronger than just missing. Feeling “saudade” for Brazil and my life there just confirmed what I already knew: through study abroad, I discovered my place.
My study abroad experience was unique, but even if I didn’t have to deal with a pandemic while abroad, I still would’ve discovered a place where I truly felt like I belonged. I don’t know if Florianópolis will be my home for forever, but I’m planning on going back this summer and staying for at least a year. Moving to another country alone may not be for everyone, but I really do think everyone can benefit from global travel. Interacting with other cultures opens your mind in ways you cannot get if you stay put. Many people are worried about the price of studying abroad, but the rewards you can reap from a global experience are priceless. And who knows, maybe you’ll find where you belong.
Inspired by Claire’s journey and want to discover your own while immersing yourself in an abroad experience? Fill out your details below to let our team know and we’ll help you find your adventure today!
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