Curitiba
Yes, I received some cross-cultural training before moving to Brazil.
The people in Brazil speak Portuguese. I tried to learn the language before arriving but I find you really have to be in the country to fully accept the new language. I took an intensive course 3 hours a day for 6 months right after arriving. In addition, I was "forced" to speak Portuguese with my cleaning person, at the grocery store, etc. This isn't exactly a country where you can assume everyone speaks English. Speaking the language of the country you move to is EXTREMELY important if you want to feel accepted or to even feel comfortable where you are. I highly recommend that anyone who moves abroad learns the native language.
I wasn't so worried about the culture shock when moving to Brazil because I moved from the States to Germany 15 years ago. THAT was the country where I experienced a bigger culture shock. I feel Brazil experience is closer to the N. American feeling than Germany was.
When I first moved to Germany 15 years ago I was hit hard with homesickness. Apart from the fact that I couldn't understand anyone, the weather was very different for me, everything smelled and tasted different and the people were not as friendly. It took quite a while to adjust. Learning German helped me to meet other Germans. I also searched the community for other expats to exchange my experience with them. THAT was a huge help for my sanity.
I definitely went through these stages in Germany and now in Brazil. It is a constant up and down and I go through feelings of utter happiness but also complete sadness. I think it is important to go through a personal assessment of what is actually important to yourself to make you happy. Maybe it is finding a box a pancake mix? Or making sure to go to the beach once a month? Or finding a place to practice a hobby/sport that you love? I try and search for people to be with - locals and other expats. I think staying at home alone is probably one of the worst things to do to yourself. I find that when I am alone all day I start thinking about all the people and things I miss back home and in the process I miss all the good things in the new place I am in.
I go through mood swings, depression, frustration, etc because of the fact that EVERYTHING seems different when you are away from your home country. In addition, I feel as though I am anoutsider, at least I felt that way in Germany and here in Brazil.
I love so many things here in Brazil. The nature, food, environment, most of the people, etc.
The language is the hardest for me here.
I did so many silly things here. I constantly say something wrong. Once in the beginning here in Curitiba, I went grocery shopping. I was looking at the meat and couldn't read the package. I wanted beef cubes. I thought the word on the package said mule so I tried to get someone to help me. I wanted beef, not mule. The butcher could not understand my portuguese - I was asking what animal the meat was from. In the end I pointed and said "mooooo" and he laughed and nodded "Sim, mooooo."
When you move somewhere new things will be difficult. Try and stay positive. GO OUT and FIND people like you in the community. GO OUT and meet others from the country you are in. Don't bury yourself at home and reject everything, it will make life so much harder. Every different country has it's positive and negative parts. Find the rainbows after the storms. Be active in making your experience a positive, remarkable and memorable one.
Eight years ago, a British couple bought a small farm that's a few minutes from the beach and settled into retirement in Brazil. They have great tips for newcomers about finances, renting vs. buying and learning the language.
An American who decided to retire abroad chose Niteroi, Brazil as his destination. He has found learning Portuguese and studying for second citizenship a challenge, but appreciates that he found a great immigration lawyer. He feels that you can retire comfortably on 2,000 a month.
An American couple extensively researched and visited properties buying a place in Praia de Pipa, Brazil. They share great tips for anyone following in their footsteps about the property buying process and moving to Brazil.
I am sorry to say that after 14 years in Brazil my advise would be don't move, please reconsider. I have grown to love Brazil but the prices, lack of infrastructure, noise, traffic and now protests and violence have taken their toll.
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