Office of Student Life
Buckeye Leadership Fellows Program

Abroad in Brazil

March 31, 2020

By Beth Johnson

“Traveling to Brazil was my first time ever traveling outside the United States. I never dreamed that I would be able to study abroad, but thanks to amazing donors, I received full funding through grants and scholarships to go! I would like to personal thank Honors & Scholars, Ohio Corn & Wheat, the Wolfe Study Abroad Scholarship Fund, and the Mervin G. Smith Student and Faculty Fund in International Agriculture for believing in my education!”~ Maddie Allman, BLF '22

How did you discover this study abroad program in Brazil?

I am a member of the Alpha Zeta Partners (AZP) professional leadership honorary fraternity in the College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). Each year, after induction, the newest class of members travel on a study abroad to Brazil. OSU AZP chapters have been traveling to Brazil for over 20 years! I first learned about the study abroad when I learned about AZP. I decided to join AZP to grow in professional development and learn more about agriculture, sustainability and natural resources. This was my first time abroad and it was great! You can learn more about AZP and why we go to Brazil at: https://alphazetapartners.osu.edu/home

What were some of the notable experiences you had while you were in Brazil?

I spent six weeks in Brazil doing all sorts of exciting things. The first 3 weeks of the trip we stayed in the city of Piracicaba where I took classes at a branch campus of The University of Sao Paulo called the Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz" (ESALQ). Classes ranged from agricultural economics, to rural sociology, as well as Brazilian history and basic Portuguese. We sat in class from 5-8 hours a day Monday-Saturday and took exams at the end of the first 3 weeks. The second three weeks we spent traveling all over the country touring farms, natural resource preserves, tourist attractions, cities as well as state and national parks. We completed a journal every day about what we learned and that was a great way to keep us focused on our purpose of travelling to Brazil. 

Also while in Brazil I spent a lot of time by the pool at our hotel relaxing and listening to music with my fellow travelers. I made a few Brazilian friends who attend ESALQ and had an amazing time getting to know them. I enjoyed Brazilian foods of all kinds - especially rodizio pizza! Memorable moments are singing karaoke on a Tuesday night, loving all over dairy calves at the university's dairy research farm, learning to Samba, as well as seeing the national park that inspired the movie "Up". I had the opportunity to learn about honey bee production and riding in the back of pickup trucks to see soybeans which looked like a dark green ocean. I had an amazing time swimming under waterfalls, hiking through the rainforests, and seeing "the place where the two rivers meet but do not mix" - Encontro das Aguas

What was your favorite moment while in Brazil? What did you learn from this experience?

The most unforgettable moment I had in Brazil was standing under the waterfalls at Foz de Iguazu. A natural wonder of the world, Iguazu Falls literally took my breath away. We walked under the falls and saw the majesty and size of the giant falls shared by Brazil and Argentina. Then we took a boat ride and got soaked from the water of the falls as we traveled in and throughout them.

I also think the most impressionable moment I had while in Brazil was our Day of Service. Each year, AZP helps to build a house for a family in need. Prior to the trip our chapter buys supplies to help build the house. This year, I truly realized the impact this service has on the community. To see the "home" the family of six "lived" in before the home we helped to give them would break your heart. There were two little girls who kept shouting "Uma casa verde, uma casa verde!" every time we put another coat of green paint on the house's outside walls. They were so excited they could hardly contain it. My heart ached for them, but I was so happy to be making a difference in their lives. I learned that no matter how hard you think your life is, there is always someone out there who has it worse but is still thankful for what they have.

What were some valuable takeaways from your time in Brazil that you would like to bring into your BLF experience?

  • Collaboration is not always about working to get people to like you. It took a long time for me to realize this. I am the kind of person who wants to make everyone happy, wants to be friends with everyone and be happy. However, I quickly realized during my time in Brazil that it's about being productive and getting the job done.
  • You are stronger than you believe and always bet on yourself. My second week in Brazil, I lost two of my best friends in a fatal car accident. There was no way I could fly home to be there with my friends and family, and it was the hardest thing to miss their funeral. I had a really hard time staying present and engaged while in Brazil but I used my determination to get through. I reflected a lot while there and learned that I am strong-willed and independent. These are important characteristics of mine which I must remember as I continue to lead in the future.
  • Drink water, enjoy the sunshine, and listen to the forest. I spent four days in the Amazon Rainforest, and although I was disconnected from the rest of the world during that time, I felt more connected to myself and the world around me than ever before. I slept in a hammock and would listen to the forest. It was silent there – no cars, people or any other distractions - and yet it was still so noisy. You could hear the hum of the forest around you. You could hear fish jumping in the river and howler monkeys howling from miles away. Birds were everywhere and once you started listening to them you couldn't drown them out. The sounds of the forest were calming and gave me piece of mind. It was like therapy. I definitely recommend anyone to just take a walk in the forest one day. Also, enjoy the sunshine because it is so good for your mental health and I know it certainly helped me.