Due to personal reasons beyond my control I had to go Brazil. This happened to be my last day in my country after a week being there. We talk about culture shock when referring to foreign countries, unknown situations and environment. I have never heard someone talking about culture shock within their own culture.
When I was in Brazil everything seemed strange, yet familiar at the same time. Definitely, it is a different lifestyle from which I am not accustomed to anymore. People walking in the street and drivers driving so close to each other that I was always afraid of having an accident. The main thing I could not help noticing is that people invaded a lot of my personal space. It is strange to me when I think about it, because I used to be like this before. After a few years of keeping distance and following American norms, I could not help myself and let people get so close to me. They were coming to give me kisses on each cheek which is the Brazilian custom when greeting and I was stepping backwards and raising my hand to shake their hand. It was a really awkward moment. I felt like a fish out of water. One thing I could not stop to enjoy was the Brazilian food, fruits and the beaches.
This is my fourth year in America and during this time I have only been back to Brazil once before this. Coming back in such a short time really took me by surprise. I was not expecting to be back home that soon or to pack my luggage in a day. I was in one way happy to come back to Brazil because I missed my parents and relatives very much. Time passed by and you learn to move on with your life. Accepting the distance does not mean forgetting or feeling less for those who are so close to us.
During these years I went through culture shock, then understanding, acceptance and embracing the American culture. Years have passed by and without noticing I embraced customs and rituals that were strange and unknown at the beginning. American culture is as much a part of my daily life as are Brazilian rituals. There comes a time after being in a foreign country for so long that the line between them becomes blurry. It is like both cultures are part of my identity now, who I am. But the feeling of missing and thinking about my native country is constant.
