Undergraduate /
Common App main essay: "Out of the frying pan, into the fridge" [3]
Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fridge
From the sizzling 40o Celsius summer in Brazil to the freezing, snowy -20o Celsius winters of Canada. It was February 12th 2011, an important transition day in my life.
In October 2010, my father called a most unusual family meeting. He told us that the decision made that day would significantly change our lives. He had been offered a contract to work in Canada and if he were to accept, we would have to move to Montreal early in 2011.
As a family, we accepted the offer. However, having lived in Brazil most of my life, I was initially reluctant to move since I would be leaving all my friends and everything that encompassed my childhood behind. Furthermore, I was about to begin the process of applying to Brazilian universities to study engineering, which in itself is a continuation of an unyielding process I had started earlier in high-school. I had taken every possible class offered in preparation for the arduous application regimen.
From the moment I arrived, the city of Montreal was simply breathtaking. Stepping out of the airport, I was astonished by the small droplets of snow that were falling from the sky. I had never seen or touched snow before that day. Almost immediately, I fulfilled on of my wildest dreams - to play in snow - and, yes, it was just like I imagined and had seen in the movies. This was a new and interesting element that became part of my new life. Of all of the changes, this was one of the most significant for me.
In Canada, I learned how to play a new sport: rugby. When I made the rugby team, I impressed myself because I had no prior knowledge of the rules of or how to play the game. The only thing I knew was what I had seen in movies, which was to run non-stop. Despite all the difficulties, rugby was a great way for me to meet new people and, as a bonus; our team won the championship, an even more impressive feat for a newcomer to the sport!
Adapting to and learning about new cultures has been part of the process of assimilating to this new country for me. Thus far, I haven't had problems adapting to new situations; in fact, I quite enjoy being the "new kid" because it always gives me the opportunity to learn and experience different things.
Overcoming difficulties of moving to a new place was not easy. Obstacles, such as leaving lifelong friends and acquiring new habits and tastes are surmountable. However, living in a new place also meant making new friendships and embracing new cultures, aspects that I've learnt to enjoy very much. Going on to university will be another challenge and a new opportunity for me to learn much more and experience tremendous personal growth.
Be rigorous, please!!
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