Sustainability and Human Rights
The beauty of the place, the friendliness of the people, and the sounds of samba ranting through the air continue to enchant me four months later. I cannot help but feel as though some part of me remained in Brazil. Sometimes, I even feel as though I am in a dream as I reflect on the time I spent there. It was unforgettable and a very educational experience that I will treasure for a very long time. I have to admit, I did not expect this study abroad experience to be very different than the one I am already on here at Arizona State University but the trip to Brazil was exceptional, exciting and unforgettable. Nothing like I have ever witnessed before. It was characteristic of great social and cultural aspects unlike any of my previous travels, but also provided a rare learning opportunity. It was mind boggling trying to assess the intricate issues that Brazil continues to grapple with, some of them being a scarcity of water, social inequality, and the achievement of the basic human rights. Tackling such issues made me feel as though I was living in another fantastical world. And a world that was different from the one in which I took many things available in my country for granted. Dealing with issues as an undergraduate student from a different part of the world proved challenging but highly motivational for me to do something about the situation.