Mara is University of Trento student and our exchange participant.

She went abroad with AIESEC Trento and is now in Brazil this summer working for a Non-Governmental organisation "Formiga Verde". These are her first impressions about the experience:

 

1.Where are you working right now and what are you doing?

 

I am working with kids between age 6 and 12  in a NGO "Formiga Verde". Actually the project is different from what I had expected. At the beginning I thought I will come here to teach English to the kids and do lessons for them but this far it has not happened yet. For now I play with them and organize different recreational games. I'm starting to learn football as well here since everyone loves it so much here. I am working together with an English girl, who is really fun. People don't relly speak that well English here, also amongst the other teachers, so, I think the goal of teaching English is hard to achieve but no one in the NGO is expecting us to do it. Our boss thinks that the point of this challenge and exchange is showing the kids people from other cultures and parts of the world, by sharing their environment in kid's everyday life. He always tries to put the accent on fair play, team cohesion and things like that, which I think is really good. It is the purpose of the NGO, which is not a proper school, but a place where kids spend their mornings doing outside activities. At the beginning I was a bit upset, as it was different from what i expected, but I like what I'm doing now. In addition, we are taking part in several other activities of the NGO.

 

2. What's the biggest difference you have discovered for now between Italy and Brazil?

 

The biggest difference between Italy (Trento =)) and Brasil I think is about organization and punctuality. Here you never know what will happen tomorrow till tomorrow. It is very very common to schedule and re-schedule things, also meetings and other stuff. Nobody cares about fixed plans, they are just relaxed and go with the wind, and arriving late is the rule. That sometimes annoys me actually, cause I'm kind of an organized person.

 

3. What's the best thing about Brazil this far?

 

The thing I actually like most is the share-feeling that I can feel everywhere - at home, in the streets, at work. People are much more opened, starting from the way they waved at you, talk to you and integrate you in their life. It feels like being in a family every time, so you don't know what will happen, but you can be sure that if you need help, you'll find someone who will help you with pleasure!

 

Stay tune to hear more about Mara's adventures when she comes back to Italy. 

 

Interested to go abroad with AIESEC Trento? Contact us!

 

Applications are open now! Follow the link http://aiesec.it/move/subscribe/