Internship

Zeljka Grgic, student from Bosnia

Architecture and Civil Enginnering
University of Banjaluka  - Bosnia

2 months of paid internship
Employer: ArqMais Planejamento, Projetos e Obras LTDA
City : Maringá, PR
Period: July / August 2008

“I always wanted to visit Brazil, to see if the story about people dancing in the street is true! To see country that samba is coming from, to meet carnival people. I was in Brazil for a short time, but two months seem to be a nice period to learn and experience enough. I visited south and north and saw differences between them. For the whole first month I was living and working in Maringa, south Brazilian town in a Parana state.

I was working in ArqMais Planejamento, Projetos e Obras LTDA, architectural office. It was great professional experience. I was excited and surprised whenever I found some difference between making project in my country and in Brazil.Differences that climate and way of life are causing. The most surprising thing was a place for barbecue in every house project. But very soon I realized why â?¦ With Brazilian people I had barbecued every weekend. They spend a lot of time outside the house, enjoying the sun, eating meat, dancing and having fun. The other thing that I liked a lot was dancing all the time.

In Brazil, everybody is dancing- older, younger, boys and girls, grandmothers and fathers. When thenmusic starts, they just grab the first person next to them, and dance in the couples. Everybody dances, and knows to dance very well. It is great country to get old .... to get old dancing. I was constantly surrounded by happy, excited and friendly people. Everybody wanted to talk with me, to help me. I found the people of Brazil to be so kind, so patient and joyful to be around me. My overall experience was life changing. I am still the same, but I look at the things in a different way. I am more relaxed, confident, and more friendly and patient with people....I am trying to be and act like Brazilian.

The only problem that I had was the fact that I was the only foreign student in Maringa, during my trainee period. For the first few days, until I met some Brazilian friends that speak English, I was little bit lonely. And, my trips, to Brasilia and Rio I had to organize alone. It was difficult, but now when all ended, I realized - it was advantage. I spent time only with Brazilian people, doing things that Brazilians are doing. I actually lived real Brazilian life. I, probably, learned more about Brazilian culture and habits, than other foreign students that hang with each other. Regarding the trips, I saw Brasilia, Foz de Iguaçu and Rio. Brasilia was great architectural experience, city, totally different, than any other. Foz de Iguaçu is a miracle of nature. I was looking its waterfalls with my mouth wide open. And Rio.....Rio was something special. This city is so rich and alive that you even don't want to sleep. And sometimes you really don't. And wherever I went, I had such luck to meet good people that offered me place to stay and a lot of their time. Maybe it was luck, or it was just Brazil. I got so much love from Brazil. I will try to spread that love further.”