THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MUNDAY. SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
PAGE 11
ATHLETE
HOW ARE YOU INVOLVED WITH KANSAS ATHLETICS?
I was playing [volleyball] in Brazil in 2001 when I got recruited to play at Kansas. Some coaches from the U.S. were recruiting in Brazil and I decided to go to Kansas because at the time I did not speak any English and Kansas was the only team with other Brazilians.
WHAT YEAR DID YOU GRADUATE?
I graduated in 2006 with a degree
in Communications Studies.
WHAT'S YOUR EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY?
Experience outside my country was very hard during the first three months, but things were better when I started to meet new people and when my English was also getting better.
WHY DID YOU BECOME A JAYHAWK?
WHY DID YOU BECOME A JAYHAWK?
I became a Jayhawk for two reasons. First, because I decided to go a school where there were others Brazilians that could help me with the language, and second, because Coach Jill Jones was the nicest coach [out of] all of the Americans recruiting.
HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE ABROAD IMPACTED YOUR LIFE?
My experience abroad has had a huge impact in my life. At first when I graduated and I went to Europe to play volleyball, I could talk to anyone in English everywhere I went. Now in Brazil in order to have a good job you need to speak good English as well. Going to a school outside my country has opened many doors for me in my professional career.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LOVE TO SHARE?
I am very happy and very proud to be a Jayhawk. I could not have chosen a better school to go to.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO KU?
My sister already goes to school at KU so that was one of the reasons, and also given that the rest of my family lives in Topeka, it is closer to home. I heard a lot of good things about KU business, which was what I was mostly interested in and still
STUDENT
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO KU?
STUDENT
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO KU?
I really loved the school spirit here. It's the real America. I watched some of the videos they have about the university and they were really good. I thought it was just something completely new and I'm the kind of person who likes to just plunge into something new.
SO FAR, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR
FAVORITE PART ABOUT KANSAS?
I think it's just meeting all the different people. The first couple of weeks I hung out with the international students and got to know them and then after that I met a few American people and since then I've been closer to them. I'm in a fraternity, which is kind of cool, and doing all the events and everything has been amazing. I think Lawrence is my favorite part of Kansas because it's very liberal and you can be yourself. Everyone's really friendly and it's homey here.
HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE ABROAD
MADE YOUR JAYHAWK EXPERIENCE
UNIQUE?
Studying abroad is definitely something I've always wanted to do, and it's met my expectations. I think I've grown so much as a person and it's so rewarding. When I left home I was more of a boy, but I know how to be independent now and my parents don't really worry about me like they did a year ago. I know how to do things on my own to get by and get around the country. You have to learn how to be street smart and book smart. If you don't do this, you're not going to pick it up until later in your life, like in your job. It good to do this when you're in school and young, and I think it's something that's really enriched me.
IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE, WOULD YOU COME BACK TO KANSAS AFTER YOUR STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE IS OVER? I'd definitely visit here. I have a lot of friends here.
am. Tuition and basketball played a factor in my decision as well.
SO FAR, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE
PART ABOUT KU/KANSAS?
My favorite part about KU is the basketball games. I was lucky enough to attend one once and it was an awesome experience. I do plan on going to more games this year and making time. Also the people I have met and the friends that I have made. The good thing about KU is that it is truly multicultural. I have met so many people from my country, Nigeria, which is great because we have
STUDENT
WHERE DID YOU STUDY ABROAD AND DURING WHAT YEAR OF COLLEGE?
I studied abroad this past summer for eight weeks in Florence, Italy. I only studied the Italian language and culture (this was the summer before my junior year).
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OF YOUR EXPERIENCE?
My favorite memory of studying abroad was traveling to all of the different places in Italy and visiting London! I went to Venice, Rome, Chianti, Naples, Sorento, Almafi Coast, Cinque Terre, and Termoli to name a few. It was an incredible experience filled with little sleep, indescribable views and breathtaking sunsets, along with lots of wine and cheese.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN BY STUDYING ABROAD?
While studying abroad I learned more about myself. For example, I feel as though I can navigate any type of transportation, anywhere in the country. In Florence I walked most places, and ventured to take the city bus a few times. We traveled by bus and by train almost every weekend. And of course we flew to London. Not only that, but I feel as though I can conquer any metro system anywhere after taking on the London Tube rails. Those can be very confusing and scary, but I managed just fine.
I finally realized how much I love America. We take so many things for granted that I was missing and wish I had in mid-July. Some of these things include free water in restaurants, as well as being able to drive a car. In restaurants you must pay to drink water, and it is about 3.50 Euro, which is close to $5. So I just ordered wine because it was usually the same price, if not cheaper. I missed being able to drive everywhere and be in control of when and at what time I showed up to a specific event or location. We take that privilege for granted living here and basically driving everywhere, every day. I really missed that.
that common bond. Also being a part of the African Student Association is really fun and great because I have met people from other African countries and also learned about their culture.
STUDENT
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO LIVE ABROAD THIS SUMMER, AND WHAT WERE YOU DOING WHILE THERE?
I am a global and international studies major and a Spanish major. I have always been eager to learn about different societies' histories and cultures. I chose to travel to Europe because I wanted to learn more about the EU. While in Seville, Spain, I took two summer classes and traveled on weekends throughout Spain and Portugal with my group. At the end of my trip I had the opportunity to travel to London to meet up with some of my family members for the first time, which was a blast!
WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT
SPAIN AND YOUR DAY-TO-DAY
LIFE THERE, AND HOW WAS IT
DIFFERENT FROM LIVING IN
LAWRENCE?
In Seville, I absolutely loved having a big lunch every day where the entire family came home for family time and even played cards sometimes.
The gastronomy of Spain is so unique; I recommend everyone try it someday. But my favorite experiences in Seville were the times my roommate and I would go to the market, or swimming, or just out and about with our host mom, Josefa. She was so caring and taught us so much about the daily life and the history of Andalusia. In Seville, everyone would be out and about until early in the AM, just catching up with friends, dancing or going to the bull fights. During the heat of the day, I was always surprised to see older folks with their canes walking all over the place and hardly breaking a sweat. People mainly walked or took the tram. The pace of life is different than it is here in Lawrence because not everything is rushed. They are very heartfelt people there who are very proud of their immaculate city and all its historic landmarks.
WHAT DID YOU MISS MOST ABOUT AND WHAT MADE YOU MOST GLAD TO BE BACK?
Really, I still miss Spain a lot. It was a good fit for me. However, I like having more space here in my Lawrence apartment because our home-stay was very quaint. Also, I just like being able to communicate with my family and friends, because we are in the same time zone.
DO YOU HAVE FUTURE PLANS TO TRAVEL OR LIVE ABROAD?
As of right now, I plan to return to Spain over Christmas break. Also, I am hoping to spend three weeks in Jerusalem during the summer of 2014 with my church. It would be my dream to have a job that allows me to travel abroad. I will just have to see what the future has in store for me.
CHECK OUT WHERE MORE JAYHAWKS AROUD THE WORLD ARE TODAY AT KANSAN.COM
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