From the Tropics to Poland

Hello there, it´s a pleasure to be writing this from the beautiful country of Poland. 

My name is Matheus, and I come from Brazil. More specifically, from Recife, a coastal city in the tropical region of Brazil (which means we don’t have winter and we can go to the beach pretty much all year long). Recife is located in the northeastern corner of the country, where you can find a different kind of Brazil, a place with unique music, culinary and architecture. And, of course, breathtaking beaches with clear and warm water. A place I recommend if you ever visit Brazil. Trust me, you will not regret it. 

Now, you ask me: Don’t you miss all of that?

Well, sometimes I get homesick. But I moved from Brazil to Portugal. And I would say that there is a bit of Brazil in Portugal. For instance, we have the same language, fairly similar customs, and they are too a coastal country. I felt at home in Portugal. I could speak my language and travel around the country with my friends. We visited some royal palaces in Sintra. We ate some Pastéis de Nata in Lisbon. And if you want to learn how to surf, go to the south of Portugal. The Algarve region is the place to be. 

However, everything was so familiar that I decided to shake my life. I figured that I wanted to meet new people, experience new cultures and languages. One of my best friends, when I was in Portugal, was Polish, from Lublin. He told me wonderful things about the country and its culture. So, I decided to pack my things and study in Warsaw. I have been here in Poland for one year, and I simply fell in love with the country. I am proud to say that I have been to the major polish cities, such as Krakow, Warsaw, Poznan, Wroclaw… I have hiked some pretty scary mountains in Zakopane and, I also kite surfed in the cold waters of the Baltic Sea near Chalupy. Overall, I had great adventures here in Poland. And I hope to have way more. 

Oh, and we can’t forget about the food in Poland. Simply delicious. Pierogi and Pączki are just too good to say no. 

So, yeah, I sometimes miss the warm weather of Brazil, and the beaches. But Poland received me with open arms. I feel so embraced here that it is like I never left home.