João Paulino, a design student from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, is completing his first five-month international work placement, ready for new challenges: 'It's difficult to condense five months into a farewell blog. But when I look at the pictures from my arrival in Europe, something strikes me: I barely recognise myself anymore! I've grown so much that even my own face has become unfamiliar to me.'
During his five-month work placement in Maribor, João grew professionally by collaborating daily on cross-border projects. He had the opportunity to develop his design and professional skills across different platforms, learnt to adapt to various situations using diverse tools and knowledge — expanding his repertoire far beyond graphic design, into administrative and communication fields as well.
Working in another language opened his eyes. João had always believed he was proficient in English, but the very desire to communicate showed him that improvement is always possible. Daily exchanges sharpened his second language and deepened personal connections with colleagues. Although rarely in classrooms, conversations with instructor Sara Božanić about the essence of contemporary design helped him maintain lasting curiosity.
'In my first blog, I described observing the river as a ritual. I reflected on time, fluidity, belonging… Perhaps I no longer observe the river as often, but I feel its presence throughout the city, with the moisture that clings to my skin. Although this is a very subtle and gentle sensation, it constantly reminds me that our actions and movements can resonate in places we will never see.'
João is immensely grateful for this experience, as a scholarship recipient from a socially disadvantaged community in Rio, he was given the opportunity for his first European journey: living abroad, independence, absorbing different cultures, flavours, landscapes and textures. His mental archive of references has expanded beyond imagination.
João returns to Brazil convinced that the cultural exchange he had dreamt of from day one has succeeded. He takes home the richness of Slovenian culture: the kurenti blessing the end of winter, the hearty pork and beef cuisine, respect for mountain landscapes, formality and dedication to every task… In Slovenia, he leaves pieces of Brazil: boldness that challenges visual norms, inventive problem-solving, illogical creativity, tropical warmth — and, crucially, recipes for beijinho and brigadeiro.
'Finality gives cycles value. Although I knew this experience would have an end, the farewell hurts as if there were no end. But it is precisely this conclusion that has created a more mature me. If curiosity brought me to Maribor, I am now driven by the challenges that await me around the world.'
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Source: Academia (27. 6. 2025). Fotografije: arhiv Academie.
This English summary was produced automatically from the Slovenian article and is pending editorial review. Slovenska različica
