Camila and Carolina: “The opportunity to travel to Brazil with the Cultural Leadership Fellowship was life-changing for us, and one of the most amazing experiences we’ve had. As DACA recipients originally from Brazil, we had not been able to go back to Brazil for over 20 years. During our CLF program, we were able to connect and share space with folks who also know what it's like to be a DACA recipient, which added so much depth and joy to the trip. We had a non-stop week in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, visiting cultural and ecological sites, connecting with Brazilian culture and history, and listening and dancing to samba. This was an experience we never thought we would be able to have: to see the places, land, and people we left over 20 years ago.”

Emily: "My experience with CLF in Brazil was beyond anything I could have imagined. It’s hard to express the feeling of contentment I felt getting to know the fellows and leaders, who all shared similarly complex experiences with migration and belonging, as we travelled through Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. It felt like all of our energies were combining to create a warm, honest, and encouraging space where we could all be ourselves and share our stories. Throughout this experience, I tried new things, learned to dance samba, and even went on a helicopter ride, all surrounded by amazing people who are now my friends. Thank you to Cindy, Liz, and Clara for facilitating this experience.”