Then and now

Hey, everyone!

This blog is all about sharing my experience as a student at the University of Texas at Austin, where I’m participating in a Teacher Training Program for Brazilian English teachers. My experience goes way beyond the classes — it’s in every person I meet, every place I visit, every text I read, every food I try, and so much more. I know I’m starting this blog a little late (Sorry, Fontini!), but better late than never, right?

Let's start with some thoughts on the past and present. Back in 2008, I had the chance to take part in a similar program here in Austin, but through the Texas International Education Consortium, sponsored by the American Embassy in Brazil. At first, I was really surprised by how much the city has changed over the past 17 years. Some changes were great, others… not so much.

The not-so-great ones? Well, one of the saddest things I noticed was the increase in the number of homeless people on the streets. It really got to me, and I just hope that situation changes soon. Another thing is how much the city has grown — and so has the traffic, especially during rush hour. And the number of tall buildings really took me by surprise! Back then, there were only a few around Congress Street and nearby areas. Now, there are loads. They’re beautiful, though! I’m not complaining about that, but I just hope Austin doesn’t turn into a city like São Paulo where you can barely see anything but buildings.

On the bright side, some things haven’t changed — the city is still super clean, has good public transportation, the friendly people, tons of green spaces, amazing food, and of course, fantastic places to listen to live music.

Now, about me — how I’ve changed over these 17 years. Ana Paula from back then was 25 years old, had a 2-year-old daughter, and a husband who traveled a lot for work. I was still struggling with two jobs and pursuing a a challenging graduate degree. I had tons of plans, but no time to make them happen because I didn't even have time for myself. Because of that, I didn’t really get to enjoy the opportunity to the fullest because I was always worried about my responsibilities back home.

Ana Paula is now 43, has a husband who travels much less, a 19-year-old daughter who's super smart and amazing, and a stable position with a good income at the Federal Institute of Amazonas. All this new context allows me to be a better teacher, a better student and a better mom. Also, it gives me more time for myself to do the things I love and, as a result, I can be a better person. This new chapter is really letting me experience what I couldn't back then — living in the moment without guilt and truly diving into this intercultural experience. I'm excited to share more about all of this soon!

Catch y'all later!