By Suzie Castello
Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro
December 7, 2021
December in Brazil is a magical time. It's the holidays and summer, something incongruous to me as someone who grew up in the global north. To be more specific, the month of December in Brazil is half of summer vacation, a time to shoehorn decking the halls, gathering with loved ones, ringing in the new year, and carefree days of flip flops and beach reads into 30 days.
For high school seniors add the prom and graduation. And, for those who have applied to college in the US in the early round, add decisions into that already emotional mix. Early round US college decisions usually come out mid-December, sometimes as grads are getting ready to attend their prom/graduation party. Where I come from, these momentous events are spread out over the year. The holidays fill their own two-week winter break, while the three-month summer vacation affords a rising senior free time for exploring activities, essay writing and enjoying summer, and graduating seniors a time to pour over housing applications and learn to do laundry. Meanwhile, almost all Brazilian seniors graduate high school without knowing their next step. That's for the second half of summer vacation.
I have a great appreciation for the intense emotions and even overwhelm this season brings for all Brazilian high school seniors (and their families). Many have dedicated the year to high achievement in fourteen required academic subjects, plus additional projetos, regional college entrance exams and the ENEM. I salute the graduates! And for those who have added to that mountain of achievement the task of applying to college abroad, I give you an additional salute. The calendar was not designed in your favor, yet you still did it.
Be proud of your achievements graduates! I certainly am.
If you are in high school or have recently graduated, and you are interested in studying outside Brazil, I'd love to hear your thoughts and answer any questions you might have. Please leave a comment below, or send me a message here.