Why Living in Canada Made Me Feel MORE Brazilian [EN]

Episode 18 | Moving to a new country can make you discover who you really are. In this episode of More Than Tequila, Professor Juan Carlos Rocha Osornio sits down with Luísa Melchert, a Brazilian student at the University of Toronto, to discuss her journey from São Paulo to Canada at age 17. Luísa shares how immigrating during the pandemic reshaped her sense of identity, why living in Canada made her feel more connected to her Brazilian roots, the cultural differences between the two countries, and the challenges of leaving behind family, community, and the warmth of Brazilian life. The conversation also explores Brazil’s diversity, stereotypes about the country, women's safety, public policy, and Luísa’s hopes of creating meaningful change in Brazil's future.