Brazil is a country in South America with a population of 214.3 million people. The language they speak is Portuguese. It’s a very pretty country and the city of Sao Paulo that I had the privilege of living in and being a citizen of. 

What I miss the most 

     If you want me to be honest, there aren’t many things in Brazil that I miss. If I were to say something I would say my family, and some friends. Due to my parents always moving from place to place to have a better life, I didn’t get to create roots anywhere, and when I started creating roots I had to move to the U.S. 

     In the beginning, it was a little difficult because of the language barrier. But people were always trying to help me understand and learn and I miss that. I miss how people were always pushing me to participate in things so I could practice Portuguese and make friends.  

   The people there were so genuine in their actions that it made me feel accepted and comfortable with them and at the same time they made me see how things truly are in Brazil, which helped with my growth as a person. 

Culture 

     The Brazilian culture is very rich and diverse, and that’s because of multiple factors. Historically speaking, we had many people come to Brazil, so the Brazilian culture is especially influenced by the Portuguese, Africans and Natives because of colonization as well as the Japanese and Italians because of immigration.   

    One of the most famous cultural festivals in Brazil is called Carnaval, and that’s because of the impeccable performances, groovy samba, and colorful costumes. 

Food 

    Brazilian cuisine is flavorful and composed of diverse culinary traditions from different regions of Brazil. Some iconic dishes that are among my favorites are: 

• Feijoada: Black bean stew with pork, sausages, and beef. 
• Açaí Bowl: It’s a popular and healthy dish made with frozen açaí berries topped with granola, fruits, and honey. 
• Pão de Queijo: Cheese bread balls made from cassava flour and cheese. 
• Brigadeiro: Sweet chocolate truffles, that are present in most celebrations. 
• Coxinha: Deep-fried dough filled with shredded chicken. 
• Churrasco: Brazilian barbeque featuring various meat. 

Sports 

    Football (soccer) is undoubtedly the most popular sport in Brazil, deeply ingrained in the culture. The country has a rich football history, producing legendary players like Pelé, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho. Brazilians are passionate about supporting their local teams and the national squad. 

    Aside from football, other sports hold significance.   Brazil has a strong tradition in volleyball, with both men’s and women’s teams enjoying success in international competitions. 

    Brazil has also produced many world-class fighters in sports like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA, including names like Anderson Silva and the Gracie family. 

     With its extensive coastline, Brazil is a popular destination for surfing, and the country has produced top surfers.  On the race track, Brazil has also produced successful Formula 1 drivers such as Ayrton Senna. 

Living in Brazil vs. living in Miami 

   When comparing both places, there isn’t much that comes to mind.  They are pretty much similar if you want me to be honest. Languages are similar, cultures are somewhat similar, they both have nice people, and they have very mixed races in both places. 

    However, the school system in Miami is kind of slower compared to Brazil. For example, when I arrived at my Miami middle school in 7th grade, the students were learning pre-algebra while I had already been studying geometry.   

   The quality of life in each place is also different. Brazil has fewer opportunities compared to Miami, but honestly, they are both very expensive places to live in.