My name is Troy Neves, I am beginning my second year as a student at Northeastern University in Boston. I am studying Sociology and Political Science and have great interest in Urban Studies and Environmental Studies. I am a student activist and am involved in the United Students Against Sweatshops affiliate group on my campus. Moving to Boston last September brought its own level of culture shock, self-reflection, and growth. Ten days ago, I left my hometown of Newtown, Connecticut once again to return to Boston, but this time only to get on a plane and take part in a summer abroad program my university refers to as a Dialogue of Civilizations. I am spending five weeks in Brazil, studying portuguese and public policy in Belo Horizonte. Looking back, it truly feels like a lifetime ago that I was in the United States.
After what was the longest time spent traveling in my life, we had made it to Rio de Janeiro, where we would be spending two days before heading to BH. Before leaving for this trip, I really did not know very much about Brazil and I am in no way an expert now that I'm here. If anything, I have more questions than before but now these questions are much more complex and the answers are multi-faceted and often just cause my curiosity to grow. Brazil as a whole cannot be easily defined or pinned down, just as anyone who tries to do so with any other nation cannot do so.
In no way do I claim to be an expert on Brazil in any way, this blog is serving the purpose of expressing my own journey of misconceptions, cultural understanding, and personal growth. The overwhelming physical size of Brazil is enough reason to say that Brazil is a place full of differences, just as the United States is. I have spent my whole life in the United States, yet outside of New England, all I know are misconceptions that are vague and in no way show understanding of many parts of the place I claim as my home. I am not writing this blog as a voice for all people from the United States, but as one voice from the perspective of an individual. The same is true for Brazil, my journey is only covering a small piece of this grand country, including Belo Horizonte, parts of the greater state of Minas Gerais, and some of the city of Rio de Janeiro.
Now that I'm settled in here in BH, I am excited to reflect and share my thoughts and findings on this amazing experience and about myself.
