High School Experience in America

Introduction

High school in Brazil:
- Fun and enjoyable.
- Had many friends and loved the teachers.
- Overall happiness with the school experience.
Expectations upon moving to America:
- Anticipated high school to be like movies (e.g., High School Musical).
- Reality: Was a nightmare.

First year in Florida:
- Moved to Florida for a year and a half.
- Hung out primarily with other Brazilians due to lack of confidence in English.
- Did not like the high school experience; felt scared and hesitant to learn.
- Vivid memory of leaving the school on the last day: felt a sense of peace.

Moving to California:
- Found high school odd and different.
- Struggled to make friends; felt done with the whole experience.
- Some friendships formed, but most developed after high school.

Classroom Structure:
- In Brazil, teachers come to the classroom.
- In America, students switch classrooms, making the experience hectic.
Curriculum Issues:
- Important subjects (geography, history) are not mandatory.
- Commentary on Americans' lack of geographical knowledge.
Friendship Challenges:
- Constantly changing classrooms made it hard to form friendships.
- Teenagers often feel awkward, making socialization tougher.
- Language barrier further complicated making friends.

Independent Studies:
- By senior year, opted for independent studies to finish high school at home.
- Decision was positive; preferred staying home over attending school.
Graduation in 2020:
- Graduated during COVID-19; did not have a graduation ceremony.
- Speaker was indifferent about missing prom and graduation events.