Brazilian student finds home, bologna in Regina

Starting university in a new city can be nerve-racking for most, but it can be extra challenging starting school in a new country.

When Marco Dos Santos came to Canada from the Sao Paulo area on New Year’s Eve in 2018, he didn’t have any friends or family in the country, let alone Saskatchewan.

Before his arrival, the Brazilian was fortunate to be fluent in English in addition to his native Portuguese but the only knowledge he had of the prairies were the stereotypes. He knew it was cold and he knew it was flat.

It was around 30 degrees when he left Brazil and he touched down in Regina in the middle of winter when it was minus-26.

“I joke that I want to see a polar bear but they keep telling me to go north,” said Dos Santos. “It’s a dream that I’ve had since I was a kid.”

Dos Santos started as an exchange student in an engineering research program after he applied for a scholarship at Santa Catarina State University, with which the University of Regina has a partnership.

He was initially going to stay for only four months but decided to pursue a Master’s degree in philosophy. Dos Santos praised UR International, saying he had lots of doubts about the process but the university provided support every step of the way.

Dos Santos chose Canada because of how it’s generally perceived internationally as a polite, kind nation that invests a lot in research and education.

He also likes how Regina is relatively small, compared to the more than 12 million people in Sao Paulo, and provides opportunities in a growing economy.

“I started to research a bit about Canada and I saw it’s a great country. (Canada) welcomes people from different backgrounds looking for people to come here,” he said.

Dos Santos is not sure yet what career path to take after he graduates but knows he has a fascination for philosophy and how people think. He’s interested in learning how the way we’re thinking can lead to a better world.

It’s the thought that counts for Dos Santos and he’s learning the thoughtful and kind stereotype is true with people he has met in Saskatchewan.

One day he was in the grocery store and could not find any bologna so he asked a random shopper for help.

“He came looking after me saying, ‘Hey, Marco! Marco! Look at this. I found some bologna.’ He brought it to me. ‘Are you interested in this one?’ He didn’t work there,” said Dos Santos.

Dos Santos said making friends like that is why he feels comfortable in Saskatchewan.

Since his arrival last winter, Dos Santos has embedded himself in the international community at the university. He explained everyone comes to Regina for a different reason but they are all in a similar situation, many arriving with no friends or family in the city. He said they all end up supporting each other.

Last week, Dos Santos started a job working as an administrative assistant in the ESL office at the university.

“If you’re in a place where you feel comfortable, I feel home away from home,” he said.