Back Again

Very few people have the opportunity to study abroad in the same place twice, but so far the second time around has been even better than the first. I'm basically repeating what I did last summer, but I can't believe how different it feels this time. Most of it simply comes from the confidence I've gained by already having done everything once. It was so strange knowing exactly where to go and what to expect in the airport, and then being able to look out the window on the ride to my apartment and recognize where I was and predict where we were going next. Even arriving at my apartment was funny. Last time my fellow passengers and I were apprehensive about the security of our neighborhoods, since of course Rio's violence is always so emphasized. To be honest I was a little afraid to step out of the van and into the heart of Rio for the very first time. This time, however, I just jumped out with a smile, so happy to be back.

My Neighborhood

I'm living in the neighborhood of Gávea, which is next to Leblon, where I lived last summer. Sadly, my new apartment is not nearly as close to the beach as the old one, but it's only about a ten-minute walk from my university. I'd say it's a pretty fair trade-off, especially since it means I'll save a ton on bus fares. I'm a lot luckier than some of the other people I've met. One guy is stuck across town, far from both school and the beach, and another girl is living with her uncle way out in Barra da Tijuca. Though still part of Rio, Barra is isolated from the main parts of the city because it's located way on the other side of some mountains. The girl said it took her about an hour and a half to get to school. I'm quite thankful for my ten-minute walk!

My Family

I'm living with a woman and her son. Many of the students live with single elderly women, and that's what I was kind of expecting. I was rather surprised to find out I had a little brother! That possibility had never even crossed my mind. Ilma, my host mother, is probably in her 30s, and Lucas is 12. I've been perfectly happy with my living arrangements so far. We live in a mostly residential area, and I was pleased to find that this building doesn't have a porter. In my old apartment building you had to buzz an intercom to be let in by the porter, but it often turned out to be a bit of a hastle. I'm quite happy to just have a set of three keys instead. There's one for the outside gate, another for the main door, and then one for the apartment itself.

Return to PUC

I'm studying again at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, or PUC for short. The orientation was not exactly thrilling, but it was nice to have the chance to meet some of the other students. There are a lot more countries represented now than there were last summer, which I of course think is really cool. Among the countries represented are England, Germany, Portugal, France, Italy, Canada, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Chile. There were only about 30 of us at the orientation, but there are about 270 other international students on campus. I spent much of the time with a guy from Tennessee, and I also talked a decent bit with a girl from Canada. These first few days are always strange, knowing that there's a perfectly decent chance I won't end up friends with any of these first people I get to know. It's a start, though. There's one other person here from Wisconsin, but I don't see he and I becoming friends. There's also another girl here from OU, but I've yet to meet up with her.

Carnaval

Carnaval starts tonight, with huge celebrations all over Rio. Since it's linked to Lent, it goes through Tuesday night, and then there's Ash Wednesday the next day. Carnaval is such a huge deal here, and everything seems to be put on hold until after the festivities are over. The director of the orientation kept saying, "After Carnaval do this, after Carnaval do that..." People here wish you "Bom Carnaval" ("Good Carnival") like they would "Merry Christmas." It sounds like it will be lots of fun!