Hello! My name is Onesiforo Souza. I am from Natal, Brazil. “Natal” means “Christmas” in Portuguese, and the city is named Natal because it was founded on December 25, 1599 by the Portuguese. It is the capital and largest city of the State of Rio Grande do Norte. Located 31 meters (102 ft.) above sea level, Natal boasts many beautiful beaches, is surrounded by sand dunes, and is blessed with 300 sunny days a year. For these reasons, the city has been nicknamed both the “City of the Sun” and the “City of Dunes”. The city’s water is among the purest in Brazil and, according to NASA, Natal has the purest air in the Americas. During World War II, Natal served as a rocket launch base for Americans. For this reason, Natal has also been called the “Space Capital of Brazil”. Natal is home to many beautiful beaches which can be appreciated year-round, given the city’s favorable climate. Its South Coast is comprised of 15 beaches and the North Coast hosts 20 beaches, all to be enjoyed and admired for its wonderful sights and spots. Visitors are amazed by the more than 400km of Atlantic Coast, which can be explored either by foot or on an exciting buggy excursion over the dunes, along the coast and past the lagoons.  Ponta Negra is the most famous and most-visited Natal urban beach.

I was raised in the middle of American missionaries in my town and I grew up with a curiosity to learn a little more about that culture. Time passed, and a new opportunity came to me. I worked twelve years in a commercial aviation company. I was the aircraft load balancing control and I needed to improve my English to have better communication with the pilots. I decided to come to Florida with the aim of studying English. Tampa was my first point of interest. I’ve continued to be fascinated by the American culture as I’ve gotten to learn more through my college experience.

I chose to become an SPC student for a few reasons. First, the college was highly recommended by friends who had already had a positive experience at SPC. One of the critical decisions for me was the highly qualified and experienced professors. I also chose SPC for the great flexibility and I knew that as a student at SPC, I would have ample time to explore my options and find the right major for me and that it was going to be a great program.

“For me studying abroad has been life changing. It has changed my perspective in many ways, due to the different people I have met, the experiences I have shared, and the culture, in general, that I’ve gotten to be part of.”

Although, it was sometimes a challenge to adapt to the different customs, traditions, and ways of learning shared with me at SPC, I believe it has allowed me to be better equipped and confident in my skills and knowledge. Studying at SPC has benefited my life a lot and I would recommend it to others.

For the next year, I will be concentrating on my OPT (Optional Practical Training) program, which is an honor and a privilege, which gives me the best opportunity to get practical training and expand my knowledge in my field of study. I realize that working in the U.S. for a full year under the program is a valuable experience, which has the ability of opening doors for me in the future. Five years from now, I see myself holding a degree in Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and working with a great computer company.

Written by: Onesiforo Souza