In a year of opportunity and newfound experiences, junior Jenny Reynoso is pursuing a new life, language, and love. While WHB endures hurricanes and winter weather, Jenny is enjoying the nearly year round sunshine and summertime of Brazil’s beautiful cities, friendly communities, and irreplaceable culture.
After a complex and stressful process, Jenny received her ticket to exchange – a student visa. In late August of 2012, she packed her life into the continually moving walls of her luggage, and prepared for what has become the best experience of her life.
Deciding to pursue a year abroad in high school is a big deal. Jenny first became interested after a local Rotarian spoke in her French class; she immediately became overwhelmed with possibilities. “I fell in love with the idea of going to a different country for a year, meeting new people, learning a new language, [and] having the experience of doing things that I’ve never done before, so that’s when I started to contact Rotary,” she said.
Jenny is currently living in the city of Recife – the capital of Pernambuco. The busy, rapid movement of city life has become her save haven, and home to her newly changing world. Although virtually opposite from her home town of WHB, Jenny raves about her city: “The city here is big, so there’s always something to do here like go the beach, movies, bowling, shop, [and] go to the amusement park.”
Now that she’s adjusted to Brazil’s sociable and unique culture, she couldn’t imagine life any differently. After experiencing some struggles, she’s now nearly fluent in Portuguese and has become accustomed to the schedule of her private school, Lubienska, through the supportive and watchful eyes of her host family.
In school she’s in the 2nd of three years of HS, and only has a total of 33 students in her grade – “It brings everything together like a family,” she joyfully says. Her schedule is also very unlike WHBHS. “On Mondays and Wednesdays we have school from 7:30am until 6:30pm, with an hour for lunch, and on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays we have school from 7:30am until 12:20pm,” she adds.
Spending a year in an amazing place like Brazil is exciting on its own, but add in trips to their famous beaches along the northeastern coast, like Porto de Galinhas and São José, and it becomes an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity. Jenny also had the chance to experience Brazil’s celebration of Carnaval, a four-day festival which entails dancing and singing throughout the streets, dressing up in fun costumes, and enjoying traditional Brazilian specialties.
A little more then half way through her exchange, and Jenny couldn’t be happier. “So far it has been one of the best years of my life and I have no regret,” she says. “I’m definitely not the same person I was when I got here six months ago. I’ve changed for the better and I’m more open minded about things.”
This year has opened the doors to numerous new experiences and possibilities for Jenny – so much that she urges everyone to participate in such a life-changing event. “Exchange opens doors to a whole new world. If you’re interested in doing exchange, I would definitely go for it. Without a doubt. Just locate your local Rotarian!”
