The experience of living in New Orleans

 

My name is Bruno Kamino Yamamoto and I am twenty years old. I have been living in New Orleans for almost six months. I arrived here on August 17 of last year. I felt very excited and scared about living in another city. Some products I used to eat in Brazil are hard to find here and I miss the food that tastes like the food from my homeland. I like to eat junk food and I know it is not healthy but there are many places that sell junk food like hamburger and fried chicken legs.
            My first impression of the city of New Orleans is the cheerfulness of the citizens who live here. The city recovered very fast after Hurricane Katrina. In fact New Orleans suffered a lot of losses but the will of people who lived here to rebuild the city was essential to New Orleans.

At this point, New Orleans has good universities and I appreciate the tradition of Dillard University. The university campus is very beautiful and students look very motivated about their classes. However it is difficult for me and some other foreign students to make friends inside the university. Usually the native speakers do not like to talk very much and when we chat, most of the time the talk does not last more than a couple of minutes.
            I liked the city of New Orleans and I really would like to see more new places in the city because I do not know many places to visit or go out on the weekends. I must talk more with native speakers because I spent a lot of time talking in Portuguese and I want to work more on my English language skills. There are some aspects that shocked me like the low taxes and the low price of electronic devices and clothing products. That is because in Brazil you must pay lots of taxes to the government: we paid 6 times more on taxes in Brazil than in the United States.
            In addition I bought a lot of stuff such as t-shirts and pants and shoes that I liked for cheap prices. During these six months living in New Orleans I developed new habits like going to the gym close to the dormitory that I live in and go out with the Brazilians I met here at Dillard University.

Here in the United States each state has it own law for their citizens, in contrast the law are for all the country in Brazil. There are many nice aspects of United States in general that I like. For example; the way of teaching in the universities, health system, salaries, cost of living and employment opportunities. I am really love American culture, I enjoy the English language and like to watch series in English.
           I watched an American football game once at Superdome, and in my opinion American football is an interesting game but very violent. I prefer basketball instead football because it is the type of sport that is not usual in Brazil and I think this sport is amazing. I am waiting for an opportunity to watch an official basketball game here in New Orleans. I am having a very good time here and I hope to have more good news to tell you in the future.

From Fortaleza to New Orleans

Marília Silva

Hannah Griggs

Writing Practice

From Fortaleza to New Orleans

            Since August 17^th, 2013, I have lived in New Orleans, Louisiana. I am participating in a program called "Sciences without Borders". The main goal of this exchange program is to insert Brazilians students in other countries to complement their study, and to include them in another culture, and put them in contact with another language. I am one of these students, and I am currently studying English and Biology at Dillard University.

            First, when I decided to participate in the selection process for this exchange program in the United States, I was a little afraid because I was going to leave my country to live far away from my family and friends. I was leaving my ordinary life at my college and job to face a new reality in another country. Because of this, I thought it would being a little hard for me in the first weeks. But when I arrived in the United States I surprised myself because I loved it, and as soon as I came here, my insecurity was gone. I realized that I had a unique opportunity, and I am determined to enjoy it to the fullest.

            Before I arrived in New Orleans, I did not know almost nothing about this city. I just heard about Hurricane Katrina that devastated the city. But when I came here, New Orleans surprised me at first sight because it is different from the "America" that I saw in the movies. I think New Orleans is unlike other American cities because it has strong influences from other places such as Africa and France. 
           Since I got here, my habits have changed because some things here are very different from my country; for example food, weather, customs, and, obvious, language. First of all, the English language was the biggest challenge to me because I did not know how speak English. The English that I knew, I had heard on television, so it was very poor. Second, the food from New Orleans is pretty different from Fortaleza, my city in Brazil. Here the food is sometimes sweet and spicy. Also Americans like to eat fast food, and I was not familiar with that. I miss Brazilian food so much. Another difference is the weather. Weather here is different from my city too. Fortaleza does not have the distinction between the seasons. Then, the temperature does not vary much throughout the year. It is always about 86 ºF. Because of this, we use the same kinds of clothes during the whole year. New Orleans does not have Winter as so cold well as in the northern United States, but it is still cold. Those who live here must use warm clothes in the Winter. Lastly, New Orleans has other traditions that impressed me such as Halloween. Unlike in Brazil, the Halloween here is a big party. People wear costumes, and go out to celebrate on Halloween night. In addition, other thing that impressed me it was Bourbon Street. The first time that I went to Bourbon Street, I was surprised when I saw semi-naked people even during the day. That was very crazy, because I did not imagine finding it here.

                      In conclusion, despite differences between here and Fortaleza, I am really enjoying living in New Orleans. The history and customs of this city exceeded my expectations. Although sometimes I am homesick, I think I am having good time here because I am studying in another country, meeting other people, learning a new language, and also experiencing a new culture. I will New Orleans so much when I go back to Brazil.

Living in New Orleans

Living in New Orleans

I arrived in New Orleans on August 17^th, 2013. It was my first travel by airplane and my first international travel. Passport, airplane, scales in other cities, USA everything was very unusual, unexpected, and great for me. New Orleans is known for music, culture and Hurricane Katrina. I was not afraid. I was very excited and happy. In few days, I missed my family. However, in Brazil I do not live with my family. When I talked with them by Skype I felt me better.

The shuttle that picked us up was different than the busses I saw in Brazil. This was the first impression of being in a movie that I had. When I was arriving at Dillard University, I thought, Oh my God, I am in a movie! All is like in the movies: little beautiful houses, sidewalks and gardens, houses without wall around them, large buses and many trees.

One thing that more caught my attention was the American flag. Many houses and commercial establishments have the American flag. I already knew of American patriotism but I did not think that it was this way. It is very beautiful to me. However, in Brazil the people do not have this. In contrast, there we just see patriotism in events of sports. In addition, last year had many protest against sports events. Brazil part, the American patriotism is a characteristic that deserves admiration.

 When I began to get to know the city, I saw the great rich culture of New Orleans. In addition, the valorization of culture is very beautiful. The Renascent of city after Hurricane is pride of local people. One time I saw a man in the bus with a tattoo that said: Katrina 2005. At first I thought this was very strange, but after I just thought in pride. The truth is until today I did not know its meaning. Initially scared me because Katrina was not good happening for people.

Before I came here, I did research about the city and about the Dillard University. I can understand the reason but I do not agree with historically black. Personally, I think it actually is a form that segregation.

When I went to get the visa, the interviewer said that food of New Orleans was the best in the USA. Therefore, I came here anxious to try it. The food in my university of Brazil is not good. It is Brazilian food but is not delicious. If a foreigner tries it for the first time he will not like of Brazilian food. However, this is because the food is not well prepared. I thought the same way in relation to the food of New Orleans. Perhaps the food is not well prepared, but I had a sense of how it is. I disliked it. When it is not spicy it is without salt.

I tried jambalaya and gumbo. Jambalaya is good but is not delicious. Gumbo I did not like. I also do not like crab. I went to the Po-Boy Festival and enjoyed it. I tried three sandwiches and liked them. I think that I am already getting used to the pepper. Talking about traditional food, I also tried beignets with café au lait at Café Du Monde. I loved it. I love coffee and these beignets are divine. They are soft and not too sweet. 

The American people are not too close like Brazilian people. Brazilian people make relationships quickly. Here I have found it difficult to talk with Americans. However, it is culture. Nobody can change so fast.

Keeping with the subject of culture, I love the way people dress. Each person has its own way. The women value themselves. The men like attention. In addition, nobody cares. In Brazil, if you dress of different way that the most people, they will look at you different as if you were crazy. Moreover, everybody likes to dance. Jazz is cool. However, I do not have so much to talk about it. I miss places that have electronics music, nightclubs to dance. The nightclubs here is different of Brazil. 

Everything here is cheap. I bought many clothes in Forever 21 and I did not spend much money. The better this all is that clothes are style. Since I started shopping, I have changing my style of clothes. In Brazil beautiful clothes are very expensive.

The only thing that really bothers me is security. The neighborhood is dangerous. I would like to ride my bike more. In Brazil I do not live in a security city but I know places. I would like to explore New Orleans. I am loving this city. I want to enjoy every moment that I am here.

A Foreigner in New Orleans

Student: Fabio Vinicius Dumaszak

Prof: Hannah Griggs

Reading and Writing

jan/31/2014

A Foreigner in New Orleans

Living as a foreigner in a different country has been a great experience for me. I did not think that it could be so different. At first it was hard and I felt a little afraid because of the language. It was difficult even to take a cab from the airport to the university. Everything you are doing or wherever you are going you have to remember that you do not belong here and it makes things difficult. In other hand, New Orleans is a touristic city so you can find people from many other countries, and I think that makes it easier to socialize and not feel like such a stranger.

When I arrived the first things I noticed were the weather (it was really hot in New Orleans that day) and architecture. Everything was new to me. I was delighted looking at new landscapes. Roads are larger with labyrinths of overpasses and houses are so beautiful.  It is even difficult to control myself because I wanted to do everything at one time, there were so many things to do and new places to explore.

One of the greatest changes that any foreigner feels when moving to a new place is gastronomy. American food is really  different. People like to eat hamburgers, french fries and fried chicken, and any kind of sandwich so much. The main carbohydrates come from potatoes instead rice like in Brazil. Brazilians eat rice and beans everyday. I liked American food, but Americans diet do not seems so healthy. It is difficult to find something fresh or not packaged. Almost everything comes in a can, and they drink soda every day. Maybe this is why there are so many people overweight here.

When Brazilians come to US they enjoy the opportunity to buy a lot of stuff which is more expensive in Brazil. It is like a paradise to someones who likes to shop. Clothes and electronic things like cell phones, computers, cameras, tablets, and so many other items. It is a great opportunity to fill our closets and get some devices that some people in Brazil always dreamed to have.  

Culture always has great changes when you move between countries as I came to United States, but New Orleans is a particular place in this wide country. New Orleans history with its French roots made it an uncommon city. When talking with any American who is not from New Orleans the first thing they talk about here is music, parties, and seafood. This city is known for these features and I admit the nightlife here is very cool and quite different for me, especially Bourbon Street. There are many bars and nightclubs to have fun. This place is most frequented by tourists and older people but I still like it there.

Talking about people, socializing with Americans is difficult. Language was the first bump in my path. At the beginning  I spoke almost no English. Even now that I have gotten better and I can have some conversation, it is hard because the New Orleans accent is too difficult to understand. During my winter break when I went to California I understood why people complain about the southern accent. The difference is huge. People were very polite and receptive in this university when we came, but it is difficult to make friends. We are accustomed to Brazil, one of the countries with the most friendly people. But now it is going better than when we came, our language has improved and we know more about culture, the people and the city.

Another great difference I noticed about people and culture at United States is the racial segregation. It also happens in Brazil, but the difference is extremely great. Some people do not interact with people because of color and it is sad. I noticed that in New Orleans people are segregated with separated neighborhoods, parties and social events are separated, and even in universities people are separated from each other by their color. It was a great disappointment to me when I realized this kind of social behavior, I got to see every kind of people mixed in the same places and interacting with everybody.

Other matter to talk about being a foreigner in the United States is security. Many places I visited were good experiences in regards to safety, of course you always have to be careful, but I think it is worse in Brazil. Unfortunately, New Orleans is one of the most dangerous cities in US as news and statistics on the internet says. Even on campus we had bad experiences, there are lots of drugs and girls can’t walk alone at night even to go to the library.

Almost six months have passed since I arrived and I do not feel so foreign anymore. Wherever I go I will always find good and bad characteristics. I always try to enjoy what this place have to offer and it has been a great experience for me. I have grown since I came here and I will take those good things I have learned with me my entire life. I have stopped feeling foreign and I am starting to feel divided between missing home and wanting to stay.

The Beginning

I left Brazil in August 2013 to live in the United States. The government of Brazil offered eighteen months in the US. I was and I am very happy for this opportunity. Almost everything in the US is new to me. There are a lot of different things here. Let’s begin at the part that I think is most different for new people here, the food. The first day I came to New Orleans I was anxious to try new foods. But the first time that I tried the food in Kernay, the taste of pepper in the food was so strong. My eyes filled with tears and I swallowed the fish. After some seconds I thought with myself “I will never get used to it”.  Well, I am glad that I was wrong. Today I can eat everything and I like it for the most part. I’m accustomed with pepper, rice without salt, sugar beans, skin potato, and many others things. I think everyone who live here love a meal called gumbo. Gumbo is a typical meal that I dislike.

An interesting thing about U.S is their cars, motorcycles, and buses. Usually the cars and motorcycles are new, and here a lot of people can buy Chevrolet Camaro that cost only $23,000 and others “dream cars” for people from Brazil. Cars here do not need tag in front and in some states who driver motorcycle do not need a helmet! The buses in of New Orleans are very different than brazilian buses. In Brazil buses usually are crowded and people do not respect the priority seat. Here the bus have air conditioning and the bus lowers so that you can enter. The first time I saw it I thought to myself “it is really a country of first world.”

A curious thing I found here is the coin of one cent or called penny. In Brazil when you go to supermarket and you go to pay your purchases and the price is $9,86 you will pay $9,90. In U.S when your purchases is $9,86 people from shops give back to you the four cents!

And here you pay tax after you buy your things. In Brazil the tax is inside in the price of product. Some days ago I found almost 30 cents in pennies coins, it was on the floor near my house. I gave all my pennies coins to my friend Igor. I think he found more than 200  pennies coins.

If you want an alcoholic drink  in the US you must have more than 21 years old. There are many bars that you just can enter if you are older than 21 years old. But usually people under 21 drink everything. In Brazil after 18 years you can drink everything and in everywhere without problems.. If you are under 21 years and want to drink an alcoholic beverage in U.S you need be careful because you can be arrested the police.

People from the US can get a driver’s license at sixteen years old. When I was sixteen years old my dreams was to live here. In Brazil you just can get the license driver after you turn eighteen years old. A curiosity about US traffic. For instance, here you can turn right on red light.  If you do it in Brazil you will probably need to pay a traffic fine.

Finally, I think that New Orleans city is very good place to live. The US can be better at many things. But I really like Brazil and I want to go back to live there and sometimes come back to the US for tourism. I recommend to everyone to visit U.S, here you will can find friendly people and nice places to go.

Gustavo Goncalves,

February 4, 2014

My Experience in New Orleans

            On 29^th April, 2013 I did something that changed my life. I registered for a program called "Science Without Borders". It is a program in which you can study in another country in your university major. You can also learn about the language of the country. After some steps such as many documents to send and tests to take, I was chosen to participate in the program. I was chosen to study in New Orleans in Dillard University. I arrived in New Orleans on August 17. I have lived for almost 6 months.

            Before this program, I always lived in a small town called Sao Jeronimo in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. I worked in Sao Jeronimo and studied in another city called Porto Alegre. I was very busy and I did not have enough time to do other things. Although I was busy and tired, I loved my job and I was happy to study in a good university in my favorite major. I lived with my parents and I had many cats and dogs.

            My first days in New Orleans was very difficult to me because I was very afraid of this new experience. I think I had this reaction because I really changed my life! I left my job that I worked for almost 4 years, I was far away from my parents and friends and I needed to learn a new language. All of those things contributed to make me feel scared. In addition, it was not just because of a new culture but all those things put together. 

             When the initial shock passed I started see things differently. I think that when I felt better I really started to live here. One of my shock was the food. The food in New Orleans is very different compared to Brazil's. When I was in Brazil I used to eat rice, beans, many kinds of salads, fruits and some meat. I was very healthy. The university cafeteria does not have many kinds of healthy food and all those things are so spicy. In addition, some food is made with sugar such as beans and some meats. It is very strange because in Brazil we put salt in those foods.  Even though I have adapted I do not like the food here. I prefer brazilian food and I miss it.  Another different thing compared to Brazil are the supermarkets. In Brazil you can find many kinds of fresh food, such as fruits, cheese, vegetables, meat, and  bread. It is very common and you can buy those things in bulk and it is very cheap. However, all supermarkets have bakery and you can buy fresh breads, cakes, pastries, and snacks.

            On the other hand, the music in New Orleans is amazing. The most common kind of music is jazz.  I had never listened this music before and I really love it. New Orleans has many bars that play jazz live and sometimes it is played in the street. Some of them have free admission. Furthermore, this city has many jazz concerts too. This culture of music is very strong. When I was in Brazil I used to listen to rock music, but now I listen many kinds of music.

            New Orleans has many beautiful places to visit. For example, City Park, Audubon park,  Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis King of France, French Quarter, St. Louis park and others. All those places are in perfect state and have culture from different parts of world. Although this city was hit by hurricane Katrina, it is so beautiful and attractive. Another good thing is the public transportation. It is better than Brazil's. The vehicles are in perfect state, they arrived on time and they are cheaper.

            In conclusion, it has been a good experience. I can tell that experience has changed me in a good way. I opened my mind for the new and I learn something new every day.

Renata Cardoso

02/04/2014

New Orleans's Sight

Six months ago on an airplane in direction to New Orleans I was anxious and totally amazed. I was living the biggest challenge of my life: Traveling  to another country to study in a city about which all I knew was carnival and a hurricane. That does not bring good regards for the people from New Orleans. However, those things  anyone in the world who has a television would know. 

When I arrived I had my first glimpse and the only word that came into my mind was patriotism. Like other cities in the United States, New Orleans hangs the national flag in front of buildings, stadiums, and some houses. It is Something that happens in Brazil only duting on World Soccer Cup, but finishes after the first defeat. Even so, this city has something more special when we speak of patriotism because New Orleans is decorated with the fleur de lis symbol, that hangs since the time when was a French colony. Soon after I discovered a city with impressive architecture, especially the French quarter, the most touristic part. Beautiful and decorated houses are common to see, all them with small or without wall to protect the house. New Orleans is also filled with mysteries, such as legends, haunted houses and voodoo. It also is a city with many green lands. In the Audubon Park, and City Park we can see trees and animals, creating a harmony between nature, the city, and its population. 

Besides all that typical American cuisine based on fast food, New Orleans possesses its specialties, even more so when I talk about seafood, which is not very different from the food of the city from where I came. In New Orleans, Gumbo and po-boys are preferred on local cuisine. Both are really delicious, as also are the beignets that come with traditional coffee with milk. In addition, New Orleans has many foods which are spicy. Local people are passionate for a large portion of pepper on their food. And this do not sound good to me, I prefer smaller amounts of pepper. 

Something you cannot forget when talking about New Orleans is the music. It is the birthplace of jazz, gloriously represented by Louis Armstrong and all his musical ability. New Orleans continues with their culture, as it is common to hear jazz playing in bars or even by musicians on the street of touristic places. At night, space is divided with rock and roll, electronic music, which is preferred by young people, and hip-hop with their followers that have dropped pants, almost touching the ground. Jazz is also played during Mardi Gras parades, the same that I already knew by watching television, and now I will have this experience for the first time. 

Is clearly visible that New Orleans is one of the American cities with stronger own culture. Those aspects are viewed in each face of the local people. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to know this city and I believe it still has much more to surprise me. 

Igor Lins, 

February 4, 2014

Six months in New Orleans

My name is André Yuri. I am in a Brazilian scientific program in the United States to improve my English and study my major. This is a short story of how it is to live as a foreigner in almost six months in New Orleans.

My Vision of New Orleans

Well, how can I start? In the first moment when I discovered  that I was going to be an exchange student and I am going to live and study in other country, my heart stopped for a short time and in a second I thought  of all the work that I had to get it. It was kind of hard to leave family and friends behind, but it was my dream to study in another country. Even better, I was going to study in the United States of America. New Orleans is the city that the Brazilian Government chose for me. This is the place that I will really began to learn American culture.

 When I arrived I was really excited with the idea of living here in New Orleans. I read about the culture, Bourbon Street, food, Bourbon Street, lifestyle and Bourbon Street. A lot of people told me about this place, and they told me that I was a lucky guy, because of the opportunity to learn the unique culture of New Orleans, especially because of the music. With this of information I packed my bags and took the flight to here.

When I arrived, I think I was much too excited. I passed by people smiling and saying “Hi!” to everyone. Some people looked at me with a strange expression, others spoke in English much too fast and I did not understand anything. But the most of them smiled back at me and I think they knew that I am a tourist excited with the idea of living in this popular city.

Like I predicted I love the city. In the first week I tried to go everywhere. I failed in my attempts but I went in a lot of wonderful places like City Park, Audubon Park, New Orleans Museum of Art, The National World War II Museum, and some others cool places. When I went to the French Quarter and eventually to Bourbon Street I was surprised by how many musicians were playing in the street. Because of my research I already knew that New Orleans was the cradle of Jazz, but I did not think that I would find musicians playing for coins in the street. This thought made me a little sad because I am a bit of a musician, I play guitar and I love music. I wish to learn saxophone here.

One thing that I did not comment about yet is the food. When I tried in the first time I did not like it because sometimes it was too sweet and other times it was too spicy. But one food that I loved since the first time that I tried it was the famous gumbo. It is really good and tastes delicious. Other food that I learned to like is barbecue sauce. Everything with barbecue makes it better. 

Eventually my lifestyle changed too, but not too much because I am still wearing my favorite colors but not my favorite brands. Now I use more kinds of clothes. I am more dynamic when I need to choose a shirt.

In conclusion I want to say that I appreciate living here. Some people complain all the time about this city or about food, music, people and culture. But these people do not deserve to live here. This a city with a bad past because of the Hurricane Katrina. But this city also have a promising future, this city survived a natural disaster, this city restored their culture with strong hands and faith. This city will always be in the heart of this Brazilian guy. Thank you for everything New Orleans.

Fernando Massarotti

02/04/2014