The Complicated Life of a First Year Brazilian Notre Dame Student


The Complicated Life of a First Year Brazilian Notre Dame Student

I believe I forge Life-Giving Relationships by Being Completely Honest

Life giving relationships are essential in anyone's life and they are what most people try to make over
time. I believe this as the most important part in any relationship is to be open and honest with the other
party. “In order for connections to happen we need to allow ourselves to be seen.”  (“The Power of
Vulnerability” by Brené Brown - Moreau FYE Week One) This quote demonstrates the point that the only
way to forge true relationships is through opening. Here at Notre Dame I've been trying to be completely
open in all of my relationships and follow Dr. Brown's advice and insight. Vulnerability permits you to
connect in meaningful ways and express your emotions more vividly. Courage is essential to face your
fears and explore deeper connections that are not in your comfort zone. These are both key areas of
honesty and there is no real relationship without these.

In my journey to build life giving relationships I have learnt that there is no easy way to do it. “Because I
love you I text I can’t live without you.” (“Because I Love You - Whiskey” by OneLove - Moreau FYE
Week Four) This quote shows the gravity of life giving relationships and how intense these relationships
are. I have come to realize that honesty is the only way to form these relationships as without it there is no
way to build a real connection at any level. Over my time here at Notre Dame even though it has not been
very long I think that I have started on the path of building these relationships. This belief of mine has not
been challenged since the start. For me honesty has always been an essential part of any relationship.
Even before coming to Notre Dame I have always followed this idea. Over my time here my actions have
changed so that I can be able to build these relationships.  Here at Notre Dame my journey to build life
giving relationships will continue following the principle of complete honesty.

I Believe That I Grow by Meeting New People

In every new person I meet I believe I learn something new and grow as a result. I noticed this when I
started Notre Dame. Over my time here I have learned new things from all of the people I meet. This is
even more evident during my classes. For example in my moreau class I have learned to open myself
more and be more honest about my emotions. “You’ve left family and friends to form new relationships
and create a new home here at Notre Dame” (“The Role of Faith in Our Story” by Campus Ministry -
Moreau FYE Week Three) As Fr. Pete states all of us students have left our families and friends.
Although I have left them I have come to realize that I have only done this temporarily. By leaving I had
to sacrifice friendship and leave my family behind but now I have made hundreds of new friends.

By going to new places I am able to build new friendships and meet new people. “Meet father tom, Vector
biology professor. He's also at the helm of curing the disease of elephantiasis in Haiti.” (“Two Notre
Dames: Your Holy Cross Education”by Fr. Kevin Grove - Moreau FYE Week Five) The example of Fr.
Tom going to Haiti is a great example of visiting new places, meeting new people and doing good things
at the same time. He is helping with a very serious disease and by doing so went to an underdeveloped
country to do this. Going to Haiti must have been a great experience and one I hope to do someday.
Meeting new people during his journey to help others and get influenced by them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwQ5ur9OZ-g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcZMeqWWOIs
https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=859bc1a8-0d0f-4eb4-a1c1-d0a45c429187
https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=859bc1a8-0d0f-4eb4-a1c1-d0a45c429187


Being from Brazil I have experienced more than the average American student. In a place that I love so
much but is filled with violence, corruption and crime. During the Moreau class, writing the poem
reminded me of all the good and bad things about my home. The poem showed me how this transition of
culture and how I have changed since I left. This positive change can be attributed to the connections I
have made here and the people I have met.

I Believe That my Purpose is to Change into a Better Version of Myself

Here at Notre Dame I have decided that I want to work on myself and improve myself. This has guided
me as over my time in highschool I had several flaws that I wanted to change in myself. “You have to
surrender to something outside yourself to gain strength within yourself. You have to conquer the desire
to get what you want.” (“Should You Live for Your Resume or Your Eulogy?”by David Brooks - Moreau
FYE Week Two) This quote shows in my opinion some steps that I should take to get better and grow as a
person. I also need to learn how to conquer my desires and this change would be very beneficial to me.
By doing this I would not only grow as a person but as a student, employee and friend.

I used to have a problem of being very one sided and not looking at the bigger picture; this left me not
understanding certain problems. “How impressionable and vulnerable are we are in the face of a story”
(“Danger of a Single Story” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Moreau FYE Week Seven) When I was
doing the activity for this week the idea of the story really called out to me. This is because I used to look
at only my opinion in any argument or dispute. Here at Notre Dame I will do my best to look at the whole
story and not just my side. This also resonates with the idea of honesty as usually one side of the story is
extremely biased and the views are distorted to fit the idea that is being talked about. Sio going forward I
will look at the bigger picture and not just one side of the story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlLWTeApqIM
https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story