Hannah is our first exchange student from New Zealand! She has a qualification in English and she is passionate about travelling to new countries teaching her language and sharing experiences with teenagers abroad.  She will bee giving cultural English classes at ELO, an institution that creates opportunities to change teenagers’ lives through their preparation and placement for the workplace in the future!

Check it out our interview with Hannah:

Be: Why did you choose to come to Brazil for an exchange program?

My boyfriend is Portuguese so I wanted to choose a country that spoke his language. We met a Brazilian family in Chile who are so kind and offered to have us stay in their home in Curitiba, which helped make my exchange possible.

Be: What is the main reason you choose to go on exchange?

I have always wanted to volunteer. I have been blessed with many fortunate experiences and want to “give back”. As for teaching, I have to travel so this is a profession I can use in most countries and I love to share and educate the English language as it opens many doors in the world to have this language.

Be: What are your goals with this experience? If we met at the end of your stay, which achievements would you like to tell your friends you had.

– To learn basic Portuguese.

– Educate the students with a cultural experience and the English language.

– learn more about Brazilian culture.

– Make friends.

Be: How do you feel today that you are starting this experience?

Slightly nervous, more comfortable after meeting Ibrahim and Rafaela. But mostly excited.