Gabriela is from Brazil, and is studying at ELC Los Angeles for four weeks in our Semi-Intensive English Course. She enjoys working out, going to Venice Beach, and is planning on taking a trip to the Grand Canyon! She is progressing quickly in her English course and is making the most of her time at ELC L.A.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in a city in the Northeast of Brazil near the beach, very beautiful, very tiny. But I was raised in many cities because my dad belongs to the army. The pilots there change from city to city very often.
What was your favorite place to live?
I think it was Santa Maria in the south part of Brazil because it was when I got into college so it was really fun.
What do you do for fun? What are some of your hobbies?
I like to read. Right now I am reading a classic book called 1984 and I like to work out. I don’t go to the gym, I do aerial silk classes.
Have you found any classes here?
No. I went to the muscle beach here and there was a rope you could climb but it is not like the real silks that I use. There are so many studios here. There is a very famous studio here where there are beautiful artists.
What is your profession?
I work for the government as a graphic designer.
Why did you choose to study English in Westwood?
Actually it was kind of random because from every 5 years I can take 3 months to study something. In my area it was really hard to find a course that checked all my boxes. So I chose to study English and I wanted to go to California with surfing and skating but I didn’t know if it would be accepted. So it was kind of like I don’t know if it will be accepted but they did. So I had one month and a half to get prepared for this trip. It was very fast.
What has been your favorite thing to do in California?
I think maybe going to Santa Monica Beach. I went to work out there today already.
Did you have any culture shock?
Not exactly. It is very similar to São Paulo even though Los Angeles is much bigger.
What is the best food from your country?
I love feijoada. It is black beans cooked with some pork and meat. Very tasty.
What has been your favorite food that you have tried in Los Angeles?
Certainly the salt and straw ice cream. They are a little bit salty. I tasted orange blossom. It was amazing. Definitely those ice creams.
What are your plans after ELC?
I have one week for vacation and I am going to San Francisco by the Big Sur route driving a mustang.
