Enter a query in the search input above.

Your search: "{{ currentTerm }}"

    • {{ tag }}

No results found for your query.

Jul 12, 2017 Exploration Programs Conversation Student Life

Meet Claudine from Brazil

For 16-year-old Claudine, her experience at EXPLO has been shaped by the people around her. She's found a new home away from home.

Sabrina Polin

For 16-year-old Claudine, her experience at EXPLO has been shaped by the people around her. She's found a new home away from home.


In our living group we have jars where we put memories or highlights of our days. It’s really nice; I always write what I did that day and what friends I spent time with. The first week we talked about goals we had for the summer, and today our RAs asked us what we’ve accomplished so far, making that connection.

My goals were to meet new people and I think I’ve met some really nice people. I was really homesick the first day, so that’s what inspired my goal. I’ve traveled a lot before, but never without my whole family. I did come here with my two sisters — we’re triplets — but everyone else made it that much easier to get comfortable. I didn’t know anyone else here, but within the first few days I was talking with my roommate and making new friends from class as well. But, now that I live here, I don’t want to go back home!

Back in Brazil, my friends are all people I’ve known since I was a kid. At EXPLO, though, you have to go out of your comfort zone to meet people, which is scary; I’m pretty shy. But I’ve been changed since I’ve been here. EXPLO helped me grow up and brought out the curiosity in me.

Sabrina Polin