Voices from Abroad: Dario Fontanella

Sunset in Maresias, Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo (Brazil), Exchange Program, Fundacao Getulio Vargas

Well, it's clear that after almost six months living in another continent (and hemisphere) and absorbed in another culture, there would be a lot to tell!

During an experience like this, you meet innumerable people, you know countless places and experience different situations. I'm convinced that, with the right behavior and mindset, each of these experiences can strongly help you to mature; each one can be meaningful in modifying your perception of the world and your comprehension of it, or piece of the world.

During this exchange, there were two main points of view from which I saw Brazil: the first one concerns life in São Paulo City, at the Fundação Getulio Vargas-EAESP; the other pertains to the "real" Brazil (that one I met and got to know by traveling a lot, being curious and trying to be humble) that amazing Brazil often surprising you and staying alive in your mind, probably forever.

New Year's white party

From the first point of view, I can say I have gotten to know a proud country focused on progress and development, but slowed down by many social, economic and political problems: São Paulo is the typical Brazilian growing new capitalistic city, it's Brazil's financial center, an enormous hard and pitiless city, but always full of interesting nightlife and events. In this context, I'm sure that Fundação allows you to have a privileged sight and access.

The "other" Brazil I've gotten to know is the one I fell in love with. It's quite far from European culture conceiving life in a different way, living in line with different rhythms: it is the wonderful Brazil of the welcoming, friendly [always be careful, however!] and funny people, of the irrepressible and great, amazing nature...where I dreamt of an ideal life and of something really similar to my idea of paradise.

After this experience, strongly sought by me, I feel myself "richer," "stronger" and in some sense better than before. I'm really happy I lived in Brazil for several months, and I know that, unfortunately, it is a privilege for only a few people.

Dunes from Jericoacoara, Cearà

I fought a lot to be there as an exchange student and it has really been worth it...so, if you have this chance, don't miss it, use it, be proud of it, and live it being mindful and conscious of this exceptional opportunity. If you can, don?t waste a single minute there, there is a lot to learn and to understand and be always aware that your time spent there is always too short and, above all, unrepeatable.

Probably at your return, writing something like this, you will cry...as I'm doing now.

Good luck.