Away From Home: Interview with Clarice Ramalho

Hi there!

Remember last week when I said that I've got no more answers from the girls for the interviews? Well, apparently they felt sorry for me and I've got more replies! yeeeey!

Today, I present you Clarice. She might be tiny, but this girl has a huge personality! She is amazingly sweet, extremely cute, super intelligent, funny and has a delicious sense of humor. No need to say that I love her veeeeeeeery much.

Together with her husband, she lives in Clermont Ferrant, a small town in France. And despite of all the love for the local cuisine, they are having a hard time out there. I really understand what they might be feeling - I felt the same myself on my time in Finland - sometimes you just don't connect to the place.

Well, let's wish the best for this lovely couple and hope they find their way very soon to somewhere they like.

Name?

Clarice Ramalho

Age?

30

Nationality?

Brazilian (and Italian, but actually I’ve never lived there)

City and Country where do you live now?

Clermont-Ferrand, France

Do you have kids?

Not yet, but I do have a husband who wants lots of them ;)

Profession?

Tourist? (Seriously, I don’t know the specific word in English: I have a bachelor and a master’s degree in Tourism)

Do you work? Study?

I work in the marketing department of the Auvergne Regional Tourist Board. In a few words, I promote the region for international tour operators and travel agents.

 Do you do any extra activity (gym, yoga, crafts)?

YES! I’ve joined a fitness club dedicated to women (like Curves, you know?). And it’s already been 2 months! Only 2 more months to go and I’ll break my record of regular physical activities. How cool is that? ;)

Why have you moved away from Brazil?

Actually I’ve always wanted to live abroad. But the “official” version is that I came to do a master’s in Sustainable Tourism in London and Tours (it was a partnership between an English university and a French business school). It finished in 2010, but we decided to stay. Now, it’s my husband who is doing a master’s in language and cultural studies. That’s how we end up in Clermont-Ferrand.

Do you feel part of the local culture?

When I lived in London, yes, but perhaps because “local culture” there has quite a flexible meaning. In France, no. I definitely admire its culture and way of life, but after 2 years here I realise it’s not enough to make you feel a part of it.

Have you ever wanted to go running back home? Why?

Yes, twice. And I did. When someone I loved very much got really sick, and then when he passed away...

What does make you want to stay?

I don’t plan on staying right here in this city, but I do want to stay in Europe. It’s quite hard to explain, there isn’t a “concrete” answer... The violence in Rio plays a big role, of course, but I think my personality doesn’t really match the life there. I don’t think one country is “better” or “worse” than the other, they’re just different. (I know it’s an obvious statement, but sometimes I get the feeling that people don’t realise it.)

If you could choose a favourite place in the city you're now, where should it be?

Les Berthom, a rock pub in the centre of Clermont.

Is your life abroad very different from what it was back in Brazil?

Yes, quite different. Services here are very expensive, so you have to do everything by yourself, from cleaning the house to replacing the shower, or carrying and assembling a 40-kg wardrobe. Also, our family and most of our friends are in Brazil, so our social life is just a tiny little bit less active...

What would make you return home?

Wanting to return home.

Where do you feel more beautiful? In Brazil or abroad?

Well, I never actually thought about it... I don’t know, I guess it depends on my state of mind, not on where I am. But I do love that people here don’t keep telling me: “oh, you are so white!”. The tan culture in Rio drives me insane!

Away from home: Interview with Milena Benevento

Hello people!
It's Friday finally!
Here in London the weather is gorgeous, sunny autumny days, with a cold breeze and yellow leaves falling from the trees. Tomorrow I'll show you some pictures!

Today, I'm posting what I think it will be the last interview on the blog. My lovely friends haven't got THAT engaged on the thing and I didn't receive lots of replies. Anyway... I think it was fun, don't you reckon?

Also, I have to show you guys my new desk at work! After a bit more than 1 year and a half in a room with no windows, i've got the best sit in the whole building, I'll share a few snapshots very soon! I have an amazing view for the lake with ducks and swans, pine trees, it's so European and gorgeous!

I hope you enjoy knowing a bit more about Milena. She's a super friendly girl, with a huge sense of humor. She loves to travel and is an amazing cooker. Really, that girl has some skills. Everything she does is delicious! She's also a blogger, if you'd like to know a bit more about her, go to her website, she's also writing in English as well!

Name?
Milena Benevento
Age?
28
Nationality?
Brazilian
City and Country where do you live now?
London, UK
Do you have kids?
I don't have kids, but they'll come in the future.
Profession?
Graphic designer
Do you work? Study?
I am currently working at a café. Since I've been living in London I've have never worked as a graphic designer... At the beginning I was more keen on traveling around Europe and needed no commitments, so I was not looking for a job, then it became just too hard and tricky to find this kind of work. So, meanwhile I get some money doing other things, this is my second cafe so far and I have worked as a dog walker for a while, which is quite fun!
Do you do any extra activity (gym, yoga, crafts)?
I was going to the gym almost every day and running quite a lot. But now that I'm working like a dog, waking up at 4 in the morning, I'm in no mood for working out. I was doing very well on yoga though. :/
Why have you moved away from Brazil?
I always wanted to live abroad and improve my English and my partner wanted to do his MA. So we decided to move to London. Not very exciting but...
Do you feel part of the local culture?
I do. I like sunday roasts and Pimm's but I still can't get why they drink tea with milk and like marmite.
Have you ever wanted to go running back home? Why?
Not really. Maybe at the very beginning, when I was trying to open a bank account. That was annoying and I missed our "brazilian way" of doing things... But that was all.
What does make you want to stay?
When you get used to the way things are done in here you realise that this is a very nice place to live. Also because it's safe to walk on a bus or streets... I feel safe and it doesn't happen in Rio. And, above all, because of the little black cat that our neighbour kindly [not really] share with us since it was just a kitten [about 1,5 years ago]! I love the cat so much and it's just too hard to imagine leaving him.
If you could choose a favourite place in the city you're now, where should it be?
It depends on the mood... but I like to walk or cycle along the Thames from Hammersmith to Kew. I like Kew Gardens, It's beautiful.
Is your life abroad very different from what it was back in Brazil?
It is. I have less responsibilities here... I know this is not the usual thing one living abroad would say, but it's so true. No complains, though.
What would make you return home?
Well it may happen next year if I can't manage to sort out my italian citizenship before my visa expire. It would be sad, man.
Where do you feel more beautiful? In Brazil or abroad?
Here I feel fatter and shorter than I really am because I am always surrounded by these europeans with theirs long and thin legs *sighs*. I  Brazil I'm kind of average so I feel less different. But it depends more on whether I'm happy or not with myself rather than where I am.

I love this picture of her very very much!

Away from Home: Interview with Ciana Lago

Today's interview is with a very good friend I've met when I lived in Buenos Aires. Some people know how to live the life, and even when life gets tricky and difficult, they never, never stop smiling. This is Ciana, a sweet pretty girl (but who can be really loud when she wants! he he)

Here she is!!! Gracias chica!

Name?

Ciana Lago

Age?

29 years old 

Nationality?

Brazilian.

City and Country where do you live now?

Buenos Aires - Argentina

Do you have kids?

No. But I would like to already keep the names Chloé and Milo for my future kids. They are mine, I'll have this blog as proof. 

Profession?

Journalist, copywriter and radio DJ

Do you work? Study?

I work as a copywriter producer for Disney Channel Latin America and I co-host a radio show called Canta Brasil at Radio Palermo.

Do you do any extra activity (gym, yoga, crafts)?

I try to go 3 times a week to my Functional Gym classes

Why have you moved away from Brazil?

I came to Argentina because of work when I was living in Rio and worked for Globostat. So I thought: "Why not? If I don't like there I can always come back after the first year" Well, that was not what happened.

Do you feel part of the local culture?

I do. And you know it's not a difficult thing to feel at home in Buenos Aires. But still bothers me when I arrive to a party at midnight and still there's no one around. Everything starts so late in here.

Have you ever wanted to go running back home? Why?

In the beginning, yes. During my "adaptation period" -  something that I've never believed that really existed, but it does.

What does make you want to stay?

The mix of work and people who became really important in my life. One thing wouldn't survive without the other.

If you could choose a favourite place in the city you're now, where should it be?

The 3 Febrero Park, just in front of my flat. But I also love to get lost walking through Palermo streets (Call me cheta!). Cheta means posh in "argentinean")

Is your life abroad very different from what it was back in Brazil?

Not much. It's like leaving in the same way but in a different scenario. Maybe my life here it's more quiet and I might feel more in control of my life.

What would make you return home?

At this moment only an extreme situation at work or with my family in Rio. But I'm not making any effort for that to happen. But these things change all the time.

Where do you feel more beautiful? In Brazil or abroad?

Today I see myself more beautiful than when I left Rio but it's because I feel more mature, now that I'm getting close to the 30's. But you can't deny that in Rio I blend more easily to the crowd. In Buenos Aires, different from the Argentinean girls, I'm more full of curves. It can be good or bad, depend on the day.

Away from Home: Interview

The other day, I was on my way home on the train and had a brilliant idea! Why not have a series of interviews with Brazilian girls who live far from home, just like me?
This way we can know a bit more how different people react to a complete new environment and how life treats all of them.

So I planned a list of questions and asked the girls to answer them. I can't say it was a general fever among them, but at least I had one answer quite fast!

Please meet Pat, a friend who I had the pleasure of meeting earlier this year here in London. A very smiley, cheerful girl, who loves her work, going out with friends and mostly, Dexter her (very cute) cat.

Name?

Patricia Claper

Age?

29 years old (oh dear!)

Nationality?

Brazilian, with Greek and Austrian families

City and Country where do you live now?

London, UK

Do you have kids?

Not yet

Profession?

I’ve graduated in Communication /Publicity and I’ve done a Marketing Communication’s Masters so I’m pretty much a Marketing / Ad Sales professional

Do you work? Study?

I work at Viacom / MTV International

Do you do any extra activity (gym, yoga, crafts) ?

I run every week (3 times a week/ sometimes less, sometimes more) and I’m part of the NIKE Run group in Hoxton (every Tuesdays – night run)

Why have you moved away from Brazil?

I’ve always wanted to live abroad. Actually it was always my dream to live specifically in London.

I was also getting a bit tired of Brazil. One day I decided to apply for a scholarship over here to chase my dream. My final decision was basically made because I got the scholarship. I also have to say that I’m always seeking different experiences...so why not try a bit of everything? :)

Do you feel part of the local culture?

Sometimes yes. I usually go back home from work running with a small backpack! That’s so British!

I’m also going to pic-nics at parks, drinking white wine when it is summer (and also when it’s not!)

Have you ever wanted to go running back home? Why?

Oh yeah! Many different reasons but most of them is when I miss someone (s) over there.

And also when it is winter, dark and cold over here.

What does make you want to stay?

All good things that London can offer! :)

I really like living here, even if I know that I won’t be here forever. I already have a “established” life here at the moment and just can’t think about going back to Brazil right now.

If you could choose a favourite place in the city you're now, where should it be?

Angel, just by the canal - there is a specific one but I won’t tell anyone! ;P

Is your life abroad very different from what it was back in Brazil?

It is different but sometimes I just feel that is almost the same. Life here is a bit harder I would say. My social life is almost the same, lots of friends all the time, going out all the time...the gigs (that one is different as London has a way more gigs to offer!)

However in terms of responsibility, I have more things to worry about in London than I use to have when I was living in Brazil.

What would make you return home?

A very good life/ work opportunity, someone’s sickness (family), the feeling that I’m losing the most important things in life that are happening in Brazil.

Where do you feel more beautiful? In Brazil or abroad?

Not sure, but I think in Brazil it’s easier to be yourself so automatically you feel a bit better than when you’re here all alone, with no family or friends that know you better than anyone else.

Would you like to feature on Made By Who?

Write me an e-mail and be the next to be interviewed!