She says Poznań is her city although she finds it hard to make friends with Poznanians.
An interview with Brazilian Semitha Cevallos.

What made you come to this cold and remote country?
I had known Poland much earlier. I knew where it was located. There are about million Polish people living in Brazil; the Polish community there is big. Moreover, some of my friends were of Polish origin. Having completed my higher education in piano, I wanted to continue my studies in Europe. The scholarship from the district governor of Poznań, which cooperates with the Brazilian district I lived in, made it possible. I used an opportunity and began the graduate studies in the Music Academy.
The scholarship I was granted was to be only for a year however my professor decided it was too short and thanks to him, it was extended for another year.

You have been in Poland for three years. Do you like Poznań?
Yes, I do. First of all, I haven’t finished the studies yet and I still attend the Music Academy. Moreover, I have found a great job which makes me financially independent. The company I work for has produced a documentary “The Secrets of Vatican”. It is a series about Vatican in 14 episodes. My task was to provide the translation of the series to Portuguese and coordinate the Spanish translation. Now, I am responsible for the promotion of the series in Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries of the South America and in the southern states of the USA, which are inhabited by many Spanish speaking people.

When you see cold and wet weather here, don’t you miss hot and dancing Brazil?
I particularly dislike the fact that Polish people constantly complain and that they don’t like their country. They underestimate the opportunities they get. Brazil is also just an ordinary country with its own problems, not just the sand, sun and fun. Life in Poland may be very interesting, jobs may be creative and satisfactory; one can develop and there is no need to complain all the time.

You have been living in Poznań for three years. Do you like the city?
Yes, I keep saying that Poznań is my city. I lived in Stary Rynek for two and a half years and I particularly like this place; it has become my favorite place in the whole of Poznań. I love strolling on the market square. And I still do so even though I don’t live there any more. There’s something magical in the place. I also like Sołacki Park and Malta Lake. I adore Apollo and Rialto the old Poznań cinemas.,There are no such places with the atmosphere of old cinemas anymore.

Do you like people who live in Poznań?
I find my contacts with the inhabitants of Poznań rather problematic. I do have some acquaintances but I don’t have true friends. I have lived here for three years so I know many people but they keep themselves at a distance. It’s so European. I bet if any Polish woman lived in Brazil for three years she would have more than one real friend.
To be honest, Polish people make me tired…

Why is that?
They complain too much, repeating all the time that they don’t have any money, that the weather is bad, that it’s too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer. I try to distance myself a bit from the Polish people as their behavior affects me in a negative way. There are such opportunities in Poland that people should stop complaining and start acting.

What you’re saying is that Poland is not a place where you want to take your roots?
I’m going to stay here for two more years and then I’m leaving. Which doesn’t mean I will ever change my attitude towards Poznań; I will always consider it my city. It is a beautiful place where I have learned a lot and met fantastic people who really helped me. This is one of the Polish features: when you feel bad, your motivation grows. My wish is to be able to share with you, also the happiness.