Havaianans Ready… Minas Gerais Awaits
PGS: Perspectives in Afro-Luso-Brazilian Culture
Anna Maria, one of the Penn Global Seminar Correspondents, shares her experience abroad during the Spring 2025 PGS. Follow along with the group of correspondents on our blog and look out for their images on the @pennabroad Instagram feed.
I am writing this blog post while sitting at Newark International Airport and awaiting my much-anticipated flight to Brazil with my PGS. Within the past hour of waiting for our plane to depart, I had already had the opportunity to meet so many exceptional individuals with whom I had not interacted before. I can only imagine the bonds that will be created and the memories made together on this much-anticipated trip.
Before departing for this trip, I was skeptical about what new perspective this trip would give me on Brazil, seeing as though I have visited twice before. Logically, I understand that a country of Brazil’s size will have various nuances in terms of culture and history; however, in the back of my mind, I view all of Brazil to be like the little country town that my grandparents live in or the bustling city of father’s youth, with little in between. However, as my PGS class has shown me, Brazil has a varied past with linkages that unite the country. I am excited to see how those linkages are unique in their own right.
To prepare for travel to a Penn Global Seminar, I first and foremost ensured I had all of my essential documents packed away and easily accessible. I also reviewed the itinerary, familiarized myself with the names of people going, and took note of the flight information, making sure to share with my family the materials sent to me by Penn Abroad as well. Furthermore, I made sure to buy an eSim to communicate with the broader world while on my trip. Lastly, I packed my bags according to the local weather reports and advice given to me by my Professor and Penn Abroad. I made sure not to forget the essentials, of course: my flip-flops and sunglasses!
While on this trip to Brazil, I am looking to explore how the state of Minas Gerais differs in terms of history and culture from the parts of Brazil with which I am familiar. I am also looking forward to connecting the literature and history explored in class to the sites where we will see and witness the present-day impact of Portuguese colonialism on everything from race to politics to societal structures. Furthermore, I look forward to interacting with the Brazilian University students we will meet in São João del Rei. Gaining the perspective of those who live in Brazil is incredibly valuable in gaining a deeper and more personal understanding of Brazilian past and present. Lastly, I hope to explore as much of Brazilian culture as possible, such as the food, music, and language.
I enrolled in this Penn Global Seminar because I wanted to have the opportunity to learn more about my father’s native country while simultaneously strengthening my Portuguese-speaking skills. Additionally, the impact of Portuguese colonialism on the countries they colonized is fundamental to understanding the present complexities these countries experience. As an international relations major on track to gain a certificate in the Portuguese language, I wanted to become more knowledgeable about the regions in which my language is spoken. Without question, Brazil is also one of the most beautiful countries in the world to me, in more ways than one, and I was itching for the opportunity to return!
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