The first trip abroad is always something extraordinary and, why not say it, magical.
I remember very clearly the feeling I had when I realized that, on a certain day, I would be in a place completely different from anything I had ever experienced. Leaving a tropical country, from a city where it’s hot almost all year round, and ending up in the northeastern region of the U.S. was a climate shock of astronomical proportions. On top of that, I was going to a place with a different language, culture, and completely different behaviors from what I was used to in my daily life.

Despite all that, the feeling of discovering something new and unlocking a new perspective always stands out. Visiting another country—and not just one different from mine, but a country whose culture I had consumed massively since I was a child—was surreal. I grew up surrounded by American movies, TV shows, fashion, music, art, gadgets, technology, and of course, the English language. And last, but most important for me: GAMES.

I was a child deeply into console games like the PS1 and PS2, so most of what came from abroad was in English. I ended up learning many words and phrases the hard way, simply because I played a lot and had access to a computer and video games from a young age. This helped me immensely in the future—which is now my present.

And despite all that immersion that made me want to visit those places one day, once I became an adult, I finally made it there through a work exchange program. It gave me both the time and money to plan amazing trips across the U.S.

I went to work at a ski resort called Gunstock—just like the ones I used to see in movies as a kid. It was in a small town called Gilford, located in a lesser-known state called New Hampshire. I worked a seasonal job during the northern hemisphere’s winter (from December to April). I met many people from different nationalities, made lifelong friendships, and greatly improved my English.

At the end of my contract, I had a vacation period during which I treated myself to some unforgettable trips. The experience was so incredible and had such a positive impact on me that after my first year there, I went back again—and I’m planning to go once more.

The trips I took and some of the remarkable experiences I had during my stay in the U.S. will be the topic of future posts on our blog. So stay tuned to learn more about this amazing journey.