Sofia Calvaruso

2010-11 Outbound to Brazil

Hometown: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

School: Ponte Vedra High School

Sponsor: Ponte Vedra Beach Rotary Club, District 6970, Florida

Host: Encanta Moça Rotary Club, District 4500, Brazil

Bio

Sofia's Bio

Hey everyone! My name is Sofia Calvaruso and I will be spending next year as a foreign exchange student in Brazil! I have lived in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida my entire life and I think this will be an amazing opportunity to have new experiences and see what else is out there. My mother came to America from Sweden when she was about eighteen, so I understand how hard it is to adjust to a completely different culture. My parents have always encouraged traveling and learning about cultures from a very young age. I have traveled all over the world from Chile, to Sweden, to Australia and plenty of places in between, but never to Brazil! I love to travel and I cannot wait to see a completely new part of the world.

This year my family hosted an exchange student from Brazil, Ana Laura. She was very supportive of my decision and was really helpful with the whole process, as were my family and friends. I got very lucky that I have a native Brazilian in my house to help me learn the language and culture! I had learned about the Rotary program from my friend and neighbor, Grant Simon, who is currently in Japan. I could not imagine leaving everything for a life in a whole new country. However, an assembly at my school where Leon, Ashley and Ana Laura spoke about Rotary and becoming an exchange student really opened up my eyes and got me motivated to apply. My best friend Shannon applied with me. Having someone going through the process with you makes it a lot less overwhelming. When I found out I was going to Brazil, I burst out in tears of joy! All my hard work had paid off!

While hanging out with my friends, I have always been the girl who did not care about taking pictures and updating my Facebook status. As all of them will tell you, I have always been the outgoing, spontaneous girl. I love to be creative in any way possible and keep people on their toes. Give me a canvas and some supplies and I will paint all day! My favorite style is watercolor, with sketching as a close second. I like to call the way I dress funky, yet sophisticated. I love shopping at small, quirky boutiques and Urban Outfitters. I also like to think of my self as a very ambitious person. I ran for freshman class president and applied to Rotary all at the same time! I do like some time to relax though. I do not usually watch TV, but Degrassi and Flight of the Concords are my weaknesses. Also, I will admit that I am a bit of a gamer; I got a little more than excited when Sims 3 came out… I do not currently play any sports, but when I’m looking for a good cardio workout, I strap on my rollerblades and take my dog on a rigorous outing. However, often I just hit the gym. I cannot wait until that plane lands in Brazil so I can explore and become a better me!

I live in northeastern Florida and absolutely love it! In Ponte Vedra Beach, there is not always a lot to do, but when summer rolls around there is tons of fun to be had! Surfing, kayaking, beach volleyball, and swimming in the ocean are all my favorite things to do at the beach considering I live a five-minute walk away. Although I have become accustomed to my area I can’t wait to experience a new life and Brazilian culture!

Even though I like to think of myself as a very young independent woman, I owe a lot to the people who helped me along the way. Special thanks to my Mom, Dad, and host sister Ana, you guys are so supportive and I love you all. Also, to my friends at PVHS; I’m going to miss you guys so much and thanks for giving me a shoulder to lean on when I needed it. I would especially like to thank everyone over at Rotary; you guys are the best of the best. This would not have been possible without you. Last, but not least I want to thank Paula Roderick, my district counselor; I could not have done this without your guidance and advice.