One thing that’s striking me about my research project in Rio is how slowly it has been taking off. I came to the city completely prepared, with all my research clearance in the US finished, and a good idea of how to approach my study. But interestingly, my project has yet to even go through the most basic of clearances here.
It’s partly the research process, I think, because I am fortunate enough to have collaborators at Fiocruz who are willing to work with me and find the best ways for conducting my research. It’s something I truly appreciate, because it allows me to understand their way of thinking, and better understand the way the process works in Brazil.
All that being said, it’s a funny feeling, not having to go and do field work, or really any sort of work. Right now my primary goal is to pick up the language as quickly as possible, but that seems to be happening even passively, as I meet with people and move in groups where people speak the language. It’s hard to not pick up phrases an words when every day you are immersed. (That being said, you can also very easily not learn the language if you refuse to try. Many people do speak English and you can get by without knowing a lot of Portuguese.).
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