Brazilian student warms up to Canada
Enjoying work as technician at Cambium
Celso Henrique da Silva might need to be pinched.
He’s been living in Peterborough as a working exchange student from Brazil since October, fulfilling a dream he’s had for years.
Henrique da Silva taught himself how to speak English by watching films and TV shows and now he’s experiencing everything he watched from afar up close and personal.
“Everything I’ve seen in the movies, I’m living it,” Henrique da Silva said, his face beaming.
The 29-year-old is working as a technician at Cambium Inc., a consulting and engineering firm that has two offices in Peterborough as well as offices in Barrie, Oshawa and Kingston.
The upbeat Brazilian recently graduated from civil engineering in Brazil and landed in Peterborough through the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE). It’s an exchange program for young science and engineering students that provides paid, course-related work experience.
Henrique da Silva had always dreamed of travelling and Canada was first on his list.
After hearing about IAESTE, the Marilia native applied, crossing his fingers he’d be chosen.
He arrived in Peterborough on Oct. 29, just in time for Halloween.
Henrique da Silva visited a pumpkin patch and handed out candy — dressed in his first costume, of course. (He was a character from Guardians of the Galaxy).
Seeing kids all dressed up was amazing, he said.
“That kind of culture is unbelievable.”
Since arriving, the South American launched a YouTube channel so his family and friends at home can keep track of his journey.
“Every place I go, I’m recording everything,” he said with a laugh.
His loved ones are fascinated, he said, especially with snow. They’ve even joked about him bringing some home for them to see.
Although Henrique da Silva isn’t a big fan of the colder weather (it’s 35 C in Brazil right now), seeing snow for the first time was magical.
“I felt like a kid.”
He made his first snow angel and tossed his first snowball, too.
“Everybody wants to do that once, right?”
Henrique da Silva’s dream was able to come to life because of his dedication to learn English.
At 15, he and his twin brother started watching movies and shows to pick up the language.
Lord of the Rings is his favourite film and Prison Break and Breaking Bad rank high on the list of favoured TV shows.
Henrique da Silva said he would turn off the subtitles and just listen, repeating words to himself over and over.
“I used to talk to myself,” he said laughing.