Brighton hosts a Brazilian exchange

Brighton High School hosts approximately five foreign exchange students a year. Camila Dos Santos is one of them. Dos Santos resides in the vibrant country of Brazil over 5,000 miles away.

“I like it here. It’s a lot better now than it was when I first moved here because I’m getting used to it,” Dos Santos said.

Dos Santos came to The United States in August and will be here until July. Throughout that time she will be with a total of three different host families.

“It’s a cool experience living with someone from a different country. She was really uncomfortable at first but she’s a lot better now and I think she’s really enjoying herself," Dos Santos’s current host sister, junior Madeline Zimmermin said.

Dos Santos went on to say another difference is in Brazil they don't have Thanksgiving due to it being an American holiday. She said it's something new and she was excited to experience it.

Dos Santos will be residing with multiple families during her time in the States.

“I’m not nervous to switch families. We have hung out before and I really like them," Dos Santos said.

School in Brazil is fairly similar when it comes to class types and difficulties. The main difference is in Brazil they go to school from 7am to 11am.

“Getting used to the longer days was the hardest part to adapt to," Dos Santos said.

Dos Santos got a scholarship to come to America as a foreign exchange student. The scholarship paid for everything.

"Right when I got the scholarship there wasn't a doubt in my mind," Dos Santos said.

As anyone would imagine, it was hard to leave home. Dos Santos leaves behind her parents and her older brother.

"My parents have always supported me. My dad was the one that was a little nervous for me to go because I have always been his little girl," Dos Santos said.

She went on to say that coming to the United States was what was best for her. Since it was always something she wanted to do she thought she should take the chance while she had it.