seekingmygreaterperhaps

Welcome to Brasilia, Brazil! Home of the American School of Brasilia, which is where I am starting as a high school counselor! This is my first international school, and as I am learning from my cohort mates, the onboarding process is one of the smoothest they have been through, so I am overjoyed.

I arrived in Brasilia past midnight, and when me and Kya made it through customs with our 5 suitcases (plus 4 carry-ons if we are being honest), Dival and Sabrina from HR greeted us with a huge hug. They took my bags from me, and walked with me to the van that would take us, and loaded my bags on a school truck. Then everyone came with me to my apartment, and they unloaded my bags right inside! Sabrina and Dival took me on a tour of my place and gave me my “settling in allowance.” I was happy Kya and I and all our stuff made it smoothly. My wifi was already set up, so I could let my family know I made it safely.

On Tuesday night, I finally met my new cohort and the school’s leadership team! We met at Crepe Royale, which is a crepe restaurant. Everyone I have met is so nice! My principal and head of school gave me a hug, and then everyone drank caipirinhas.

The next day, we got right to it! The school hosted us for breakfast, we went on a tour, we got our technology set up. Every teacher gets a macbook air, so I guess I am forced to use an apple product… sigh. But all of the iPhone lovers are ecstatic. 😉 The leadership team went through the mission and vision of the school in great detail. I am excited to be working alongside people who care so deeply, and are excited about education! They are passionate, and I hope this continues. It helps that there is funding, a low teacher: student (and counselor: student) ratio, great benefits, and travel to be had.

One of the benefits that all staff gets is a “lunch card.” Each day of work, the school puts a certain amount of money on a card to cover your lunch. This card can be used in the school canteen, or at restaurants in Brasilia. Or you could opt to get the card that you can use at grocery stores. I elected for the restaurant card. This school canteen is… LEGIT. There is a fresh salad and veggie bar, and also freshly made delicious Brazilian food, and a dessert, and some kind of juice. I’m sure I will do a post about the canteen later on someday. This is not your average American public school lunch folks.

On Thursday, we had breakfast at school followed by a trip to the Federal Police. The school set up our appointments so we can get registered smoothly in the country and get our fingerprints taken. Because the school has the “in” it only took about 15 minutes total. (I’ve heard this is a miracle from my cohort mates.) Back at school, they walked us through more programming and school information. At quitting time, we went on a walk to the Publican for Happy Hour! There, we met some returning staff, hung out with some of the Brazilian staff, and of course… imbibed. The craft beers and the food were delicious!

Friday was a big day- we all went to set up our bank accounts and our cell phone plans/ get SIM cards. This took… all day, but it is definitely an important task to check off the list. That night we were rewarded with an amazing dinner at our Head of School (essentially the superintendent)’s house. She lives in a gorgeous place in Lago Sul. It was catered with amazing food. Throughout the course of the night, we were all asked to give a toast to the good life, and what that means to us. Of course, they were plying me with wine, I am exhausted, and an emotional person in general, so I cried during my toast. It was well received, haha.

My toast went something like this- “Joining this school feels like the business class of education. I am so blessed to be surrounded by people who are excited about the work that we do, and who are like me. They want to travel and make friends. The good life to me is making it through all of the circumstances that led me to this beautiful place, surrounded by this astounding group.”

The next morning came way too fast, but it was another important day- the shopping trip. Our school loaded us into the van, following us in the truck, and another van. I was like… why are they bringing that? Everyone else was like… for our stuff, duh. *gasp*

They weren’t kidding. We went to Sam’s Club and bought appliances, electronics, kitchen supplies, etc. We went to Havan an bought decorations and rugs and towels. Our school set us up really well to start, and I think I bought less than others did… but still bought a crap ton. A working girl needs a microwave, amiright? This took all day. My dog mom heart feels so guilty for how busy I have been, but orientation is important Kya! When I got home, I took Kya on a walk to the pet store so she could pick out her new Brazilian food.

If you know me at all- you know I do not eat McDonald’s… especially not when traveling. But this was the mid-day emergency meal of the group, so I made the best of it. McDonald’s menu’s vary from country to country, and the special Brazilian thing I got here was the caramel apple pie sundae. They literally stick the pie inside the sundae, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

On Sunday we went on a Brasilia City Tour! I was giddy with excitement, because I love touring. They are tourist attractions for a reason guys. Plus, when you google Brasilia, these are the buildings that come up, so I’ve been staring at them for 8 months. One of the EAB (the school I work at) staff members was our tour guide. Without further ado, let me introduce you to my new home city:

After our tour, we went to a churasco at another leader’s house. A “churrasco” is a barbecue… but fancy and Brazilian and (you guessed it) delicious.

We have 2 more days of orientation left, but those days are more filled with resource gathering at school. It has been jam packed, and I am exhausted. People are asking if I’m settling in well, and I’m like… maybe? Kya hasn’t adjusted well (yet), and she is scared to leave our little bloco. I think I am still in shock that I uprooted my life and actually live in Brazil now. But this is my wild and beautiful life. I can’t wait to explore Brazil and South America, and meet incredible people along the way.

Tchau for now!