When Eduardo Lima came to the U.S. from Brazil for his Academic Year Program, he was only 15. In addition to adjusting to a new country, school, host family, and daily routines, he was not very confident in his English skills. But as he later described himself, he was “fearless” about talking to people and would strike up conversations with anyone.
That willingness to put himself out there helped him find his footing. Instead of waiting until he felt completely comfortable, he learned to adapt by participating. Eduardo kept himself busy trying new things and meeting people by joining several school activities, including marching band, hiking club, and American football.
“That was the only way I found to adapt and push myself out of my comfort zone,” Eduardo said. “It’s extremely rewarding to look back and see all the things I’ve been through.”
After returning to Brazil, Eduardo could see how much that experience had changed the way he approached unfamiliar situations. During a later international experience in Canada, he noticed that communicating in English and adapting felt much easier than it had during his first exchange.
Back home, he pursued his interest in technology. During his senior year of high school, he studied programming and robotics and entered a project in a university competition with more than 30 college-level entries. His project placed third.
After high school, Eduardo received a scholarship to study Software Engineering at FIAP, a technology-focused college in Brazil that he describes as one of the country’s leading schools in the field. While studying there, he also began an internship at FIAP. As he gained experience, he earned a promotion to Full-Stack Software Developer while still completing his degree.
Today, Eduardo continues to build his technical skills through school, work, and personal projects. He also uses the English he strengthened during his exchange to communicate with people from different places and make new personal and professional connections. With about a year and a half left until graduation, he is already building a career in the field he chose to pursue.
The confidence Eduardo developed during his exchange has continued to help him navigate the opportunities that came afterward. Learning to step into unfamiliar situations, communicate even when he was not fully confident, and keep participating through the discomfort gave him skills he continues to build on today.
