January 21, 2019
Sadly, today was the last day with our host families. Because we all had different experiences, I will report on my day specifically. I woke up at 7 a.m. to get ready for the day and had breakfast with my family at 7:30 am. It consisted of drinkable yogurt, milk, orange juice, coffee, fresh fruit (papaya and mango), toast with cream cheese, and ham and cheese paninis. Breakfast was a time for my family to all sit down, spend quality time with each other, and prepare for the day. During breakfast, my host mother talked about her company which I was visiting today.
At 8:15 a.m., another host family picked me up to go to their work. Evan, Meredith, Milan, and I all had a host family member working at ArcelorMittal. This company is the world’s leading steel and mining company, which is in more than 60 countries. Our tour of the company included an overview presentation of the company and its products, a walking tour of the processing facilities (which was extremely hot, but fascinating), and lunch in the company’s food court. An interesting fact was that what the facility in Brazil produces in a year, China produces in 15 days. However, Brazil’s process ensures high quality steel.
After the tour, my host mother picked Evan, Milan, and I up from work and dropped us off at the hotel (“home”).
After everyone returned from their homestays, we all had a meeting with Dr. King in the hotel lobby. However, this meeting was actually a surprise birthday celebration for me! Shirota (our navigator for Brazil) and Cristina (our Portuguese instructor) were there with a birthday cake! Something unique about a Brazilian birthday is the cutting of the cake. Instead of making a wish before blowing out the candles, the wish is made when cutting the first piece of cake. Also, the cake is cut from down up, symbolizing that I am always moving up. Then another special tradition in Brazil is that I give the first piece of cake to an important person in my life. I chose Cristina. (:
And if you were wondering, having a birthday in Brazil was amazing! 10/10 would recommend!
Milan, Meredith, Evan, and I at Archer Mittal!
So thankful to have spent my 21st birthday in Brazil!
-Philip