Erika Gabrielson
How Erika Gabrielson moved across the world for 11th grade
Photo by Ian Sands
Manha Survery, Editor-in-Chief, Ana Michel, Staff Writer, & Zulfah Muzammil, Staff Writer
Imagine living your whole life in Georgia with familiar faces, routines, and places. One day, you stumble upon an exchange program in the Titan News and eventually decide to apply. Soon enough, you are packing your bags, saying bye to your friends, and getting ready to attend school... in Santos, Brazil.
This is the path that Erika Gabrielson embarked on in her senior year, where she had the experience of a lifetime.
"I didn't really think much was gonna happen, [but] I started the application process. It was really long," Gabrielson said.
While in Brazil, Gabrielson engaged in valuable learning experiences, volunteering, and formed some clubs. One club she formed was a public speaking club, focused on teaching students how to learn English and present community issues. Another was a club she started with her peers in Brazil, where they would go to homeless shelters in the community and assist those in need through service and charity.
"It really helped my peers be able to speak in English and [present] the community problems in English and [help them] learn a new language," Gabrielson said about the public speaking club.
Gabrielson explained that these experiences felt like the most impactful thing she was able to accomplish. Rebecca Portillo, a close friend of Gabrielson, vouches for Gabrielson's passion.
"I love when she talks about Brazil because she [lights up]...She's the sweetest [soul] in the whole world," Portillo said.
Along with serving her community, Gabrielson also made lifelong connections while she was away. This is mainly due to the fact that her grade was a small group of just 25 students.
"[I] was with the same 25 people the whole entire year. And [it was] easier to create stronger connections there. [My] best friend, gosh, we did everything together," Gabrielson said.
Gabrielson felt the program had given her valuable experiences that helped her grow in numerous ways.
"Before I went, I wouldn't say I was shy, but [I didn't go] for all the opportunities that were given to me. And ever since I've done this experience, every opportunity that [comes] my way, I just take it and I try to take on everything that I can because I know if I don't take on everything that I can, I'll just miss out on something that could [change] my life," Gabrielson said.
Gabrielson also mentioned how this experience gave her cultural agility. She adapted to a different school and climate and bonded with people from an entirely different country.
Gabrielson's school in Brazil was greatly different from Northview, as it was separate buildings that were connected rather than just one building. There are many things she misses, like her friends in Brazil, the food, and the beaches. Some things she doesn't miss are the lack of dryers to use there, the smaller houses, and having to share a bedroom with four people.
When Gabrielson returned from her travels, she earned a leadership position as president of 3DE and became part of 3DE's 19 under 19 group. This group exemplifies the top 19 students in 3DE programs nationally.
"3DE is all about the student who's willing to [take risks], to problem solve, to challenge themselves and think outside of the box. And she fit that perfectly. And when she had the interview, she stood out so much. We were like, okay, she just has to be president," Tania Pope, Northview's 3DE Department Chair, said.
Gabrielson has built a community around her in Brazil and Georgia. She is greatly appreciated not only by her family, but by her teachers and friends for her attitude and inspiration.
"[She's] super inspiring and so extroverted, and she doesn't care what people think. And it inspires me to be like her, to be as passionate as her, to work as hard as her, and to be as open as her," Portillo said.
