Florianopolis-Brazil

My internship in Florianopolis consisted of week-by-week among four NGO’s that provided education and care for at-risk Brazilian kids while they were not in school. My lessons, conducted with my Catalonian partner Mar, were modules on multiculturalism, Human Rights, Ethics, and Environmental Responsibility, taught to children ages 5-15. Keeping those kids interested in those topics when they rather be on the playground or the soccer pitch, with only a basic knowledge of the language was some of the hardest work I have ever had to do.

But the time spent at the NGO’s wasn’t all work. We’d spend most time just getting to know the kids, playing with them on the playground or the soccer field, playing connect 4 or checkers, or any other myriad activities at some of the more organized NGO’s, while others only wanted us to teach and didn’t really want us to. The best NGO’s to work at were those that allowed you to get to know the kids and befriend them, as well as doing interesting things such as taking the kids to a short film screening or making the kids meals from our countries for lunch.

Florianopolis was such a beautiful and great city, so outside of work there were always things to do. Beach trips, sandboarding, and meals at churrascarias were always in the mix. The work was challenging in a fun way and the city was incredible. Florianopolis is indeed paradise.