Becoming a Citizen of the World

Handout that I gave to my audience

My first speech, the Ice Breaker, given at my Toastmasters Club: (4-6min)

" I would like to take you traveling through my experience of becoming a citizen of the world.

(The handouts will help you on this journey)

     I was born in Portugal, a small coastal country in the south of Europe. A country that had a dictatorship until 1974. Homogeneous culture, full of History, very isolated were characteristics that both my grandparents and parents generations only knew. My generation learned more, saw more, experienced more. We indeed are living more... that was a result of THE piece of art of democracy - known as European Union - has accepted Portugal in 1986 and opened doors to development and prosperity. Much was applied in education and public health creating high quality academic institutions and took Portugal from the bottom of the European infant mortality list.

    In 2002 we become part of the Euro zone: one single currency that spiked our cost of life. In the meanwhile I was finishing my Chemical Engineering degree in Porto - the second major city of the country, where Port wine is from.

    Brazil was the destination to celebrate my graduation with my College friends. Imagine a "Spring break", across the Atlantic, speaking the same language. Cultural similarities between Portugal and Brazil are summarized by a clear sense of historic connection witnessed by the language. Geographic and tribal understanding, social behaviors at glance, opportunities to breath, eat and feel their magic helped me to place my origins and appreciate many given things.

    A fantastic invitation brought me to the US in 2004. A PhD scholarship in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering allowed me to live in a fascinating country for almost 8 years now. With academic challenge I learned about work flow, foreign language applied to science and new ideas. An international graduate student community facilitated my adjustment and taught me so much about many countries. I made friendships that will last forever.

    My dear Indian friend Dhara met the love of her life in 2005 and I couldn't say "no" to her wedding invitation. Location: state of Gujarat, India. The most wonderful experience I had until now! India is not a postcard! It is 360o of light, colors, smell and sound. After 4 days with her family, experiencing every traditional wedding step, I visit New Deli, the desert of Rajasthan and Mumbai. Unforgettable feelings gave rise to the comprehension of cultural diversity.

     Two years later another friend's wedding attracted me to Mexico City. A different angle presented a civilization historically very rich and an obvious perception of social clashes in an enormous high populated city.

     A priceless sense of being has been growing with each and single one of my traveling experiences. A realization of my world and how it fits in everyone else’s world is a continuous routine that promotes healthy relationships through social awareness, challenging perspectives leading to flexible thoughts.

Where next?
        My dream destination is about to become true..."


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