Resident Spotlight: Mateus Macedo Quintano Brazilian resident-member Mateus Macedo Quintano first arrived in Philadelphia in August 2013, as part of the Brazilian governmentâs initiative âScience Without Borders,â which provides qualified students the opportunity to study both the English language, and a scientific discipline in the United States. A highly competitive program, Mateus was thrilled to be accepted and enrolled in an ELP program at the University of Pennsylvania. Upon completion of four months of intensive language study, is now taking classes in Organic Chemistry. Faced with the usual housing options, one stood out for Mateus. He had heard of International House while still in Brazil, and was looking forward to living in this place that he calls âfamous for providing international students exposure to different cultures and points of view.â Since he moved in, Mateus has become particularly fond of students from Japan and Korea. He was surprised to discover that they often share the same opinions, and loves how polite and respectful they are. When asked what is his favorite memory of living at International House Philadelphia thus far, Mateus recalled the Candlelight Ceremony, also held each year at many other International House locations throughout the world. He was very touched to hear a fellow resident reading the International House pledge in Portuguese. Mateus valued this moment as he was still so new to the United States â it made him feel
at home, and feel welcome amongst so many new faces and cultures. Mateus looks forward to staying at International House Philadelphia until he must return to Brazil in December 2014. However, he explained, he will be back! Mateus has so enjoyed his experience here that he intends to return to Brazil to complete his undergraduate degree, and then return to Philadelphia and IHP to pursue his graduate studies. We wish him luck in all he does, and look forward to seeing him again soon! Mateus Macedo Quintano, from Minas Gerais, Brazil, has lived at IHP since August 2013. He is enrolled in the Brazilian governmentâs initiative âScience Without Bordersâ which includes a four month English Language Program (ELP) at The University of Pennsylvania. Having completed the ELP program, he is currently taking course work in Organic Chemistry at the University. He will return to Brazil to complete his undergraduate degree but hopes to return to Philadelphia and IHP to pursue his masterâs degree. In 2014, Mateus was nominated for the IHP Resident Ambassador award.
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