My Life in Brazil - Paperback

by Maria Cavalcante-Fleming (Author)

My dreams of becoming a distinguished English teacher in Brazil and coming to America to become fluent in the foreign language have led me to face many obstacles in my life in USA. I left my origin and family behind and broke up several engagements with my fiancés, not knowing for sure how much my adventurous spirit would cost me. I traveled across two oceans, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, throughout my journey to fulfill my aspirations. To build a life in another country is the same as starting your life from scratch, all over again, thinking of yourself as a toddler who is taking his first steps in life and articulating his first words. To move from São Paulo, Brazil, to New York City, USA, to specialize in the English language was the greatest challenge of my life, which did not come and happen with roses and wine. It happened with thorns, adversities, and barriers defying me to struggle and fight, to be ridiculed and teased, yet I had to get up to fall again over and over. I had to swallow the bitterness of injustice that is staggered onto those who bravely take the risk to cross the threshold to another country other than his. Being unable to speak the other country's language-in my case, English-as good as those who were originally born in the country, it has been the worst test I have put myself up to. However, I acknowledged the challenge, and holding onto God's hand, I went on and on, striving for a better tomorrow. As Scarlett O'Hara always said on the movie Gone with the Wind, "Tomorrow is another day."