JMcL
American expat in Brazil
Forum posts
38
Contacts
10
About me
American
Lives in Sao Paulo
Registration: 19 June 2014
Being convincing to an employer in Brazil by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Finding a job in Brazil is no easy feat. From applying for a job all the way to job interviews, the etiquette can be different abroad. Specially job interviews, that can already be pretty daunting, can feel even worse when set in ...
I completely agree with everything usajohnmcc, SkipStepOne, and Mr Pinto say. I've been here in Brazil for 10 years and, for many different reasons, foreigners will find it hard to survive in a US, UK, or EU middle class way unless (1) they are ... Read More
Language barriers in Brazil by Priscilla
Hello, Learning a new language is a part of the expat process. Let's find out how crucial it is to know the language in Brazil. What is the official language in Brazil, and what are the other popular spoken languages? Is it possible to live ...
I understand the perspective that neither "trust" nor "foreignness" are the primary problems with developing a good career in Brazil, they are important contributing factors; as is the ability to speak Portuguese. I think one of ... Read More
Language barriers in Brazil by Priscilla
Hello, Learning a new language is a part of the expat process. Let's find out how crucial it is to know the language in Brazil. What is the official language in Brazil, and what are the other popular spoken languages? Is it possible to live ...
It's possible to survive in the large cities (e.g., Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro) without speaking Portuguese; and it's even possible to work in large international companies located in those cities without knowing much Portuguese. The ... Read More
Successes in your career in Brazil by Priscilla
Hello, Becoming an expat means starting over in a new country, and a lot of times that also means starting over in your career as well. How have your skills and experiences evolved since moving to Brazil? What does being successful in ...
This is excellent advice; all of it. I would only add that, if a foreigner wants to earn a living teaching English here in Brazil, it's best to (1) be in large cities where companies need employees who speak English and parents want their kids ... Read More
How to deal with stress when moving to Brazil by Priscilla
Moving abroad is no easy feat. Everyone has their own ways of dealing with stress, so we invite you to share some insights regarding this topic. What are the main factors that contribute to stress when moving to Brazil (cultural adaptation, ...
I agree with this idea about finding reasons not to do ... something: Much of my consulting work involves helping companies comply with financial / tax reporting laws and regulations faster and cheaper. I think it's fascinating that many ... Read More
How to deal with stress when moving to Brazil by Priscilla
Moving abroad is no easy feat. Everyone has their own ways of dealing with stress, so we invite you to share some insights regarding this topic. What are the main factors that contribute to stress when moving to Brazil (cultural adaptation, ...
To answer the question, it might be helpful for me to give my backstory: I moved to Brazil in January 2010 with two teenage boys after having about 6 job interviews, for which about 1/2 of the interviewers assured me that "we need and want ... Read More
Intercultural relationships in Brazil by Priscilla
Hello, We invite you to share some fun anecdotes and information regarding intercultural marriages and relationships in Brazil. This will provide some insight to current and future expats regarding relationship norms in mixed relationships and ...
Robal, I've had very similar experiences and--strangely enough--I still love it here (I live in Sao Paulo) and would never willing return to the US to live. Ah well, live and let live seems a very good axiom in the circumstances. :- ) ... Read More
Intercultural relationships in Brazil by Priscilla
Hello, We invite you to share some fun anecdotes and information regarding intercultural marriages and relationships in Brazil. This will provide some insight to current and future expats regarding relationship norms in mixed relationships and ...
The average perspective of Brazilians on trust among society, friends, and ... Read More
Intercultural relationships in Brazil by Priscilla
Hello, We invite you to share some fun anecdotes and information regarding intercultural marriages and relationships in Brazil. This will provide some insight to current and future expats regarding relationship norms in mixed relationships and ...
Hi Mike, I've been told by my wife, a psychologist from "Class B" whose father was an attorney, with siblings who are attorneys and a doctor, that it's very difficult for her and her friends to believe that--as an American--I'm ... Read More
Intercultural relationships in Brazil by Priscilla
Hello, We invite you to share some fun anecdotes and information regarding intercultural marriages and relationships in Brazil. This will provide some insight to current and future expats regarding relationship norms in mixed relationships and ...
What are some of the best things about being in an intercultural relationship/marriage? It's much more difficult for people in an intercultural relationship to become bored with each other: They both have much to learn from each other. What ... Read More
The jobs that are the most in-demand for expats in Brazil by Priscilla
Hello, We invite you to share some information regarding the job market for expats in Brazil. This information will be incredibly helpful to anyone considering moving there, so we're very grateful for your contribution. What are the types of ...
Basically, the primary method of finding employees in Brazil (except perhaps at the large international companies) is summarized in the question, "Quem indicou?", which means "Who indicated?". Americans would generally call this ... Read More
Brazil's most expensive cities
The cost of living throughout Brazil--including city and neighborhood--mainly depends on cost of shelter (e.g., apartment rent or price to purchase). Other living costs in an area are highly correlated with the shelter cost; e.g., restaurants, ... Read More
A foreigner working in SP? I thought it wasn't possible by MrMarques72
Good morning everyone!! As you know, the job situation is one that is difficult for expats living in Brazil. According to the information and opinions I've read on this forum, the only options available for foreigners in Brazil are: 1) Open ...
It was definitely right-place, right-time, right-contact. I've been in business for myself here in Sao Paulo for about 8 years and in my experience no one gets a job here--Brazilian or foreigner--without these three things. And, actually, ... Read More
Why does everyone say it's so expensive here? by Mike in S茫o Paulo
Since my first post here on 天美麻豆 I've seen many people saying (complaining) that it's terribly expensive here in Brazil. Other than a very few things, mostly imported food products, I don't see that. Sure, my Coke Zero costs at ...
Hi Mike, I know what you mean and, yes, if one compares prices here directly to what they would pay in the US it really doesn't seem so bad. The only exceptions are things like "WaterPiks"; the things that blast water between teeth: ... Read More
Living & Working in S茫o Paulo by NormForsyth
Hello! My name is Norm, I'm Scottish and currently living in Scotland, UK. I'm planning moving to S茫o Paulo soon with my wife (Brazilian) and my son (Brazilian with dual nationality - 8 months). I have my Brazilian passport and ...
Hi Norm, Yes, there is actually demand for native English speakers as teachers but it's actually a bit tricky finding the "serious" demand. I would guess the best approach in the respect is, at least at first, find a private school ... Read More
What sort of work do most expats do? by Nawii81
Hi all, As I've just moved to Brazil and still in the process of obtaining my permanent visa (with working rights) I'm wanting to get some ideas of what sort of work most expats do. From what I can see teaching English seems pretty common, ...
Hi Quinny1072, I agree very much agree with what you say but there is one aspect to the idea that there is " ... much less competition for many ... services available [from] outside of Brazil " that foreigners need to be careful about. I ... Read More
Norte-americano ..explicando porque odiou o Brasil by moreto62
i don't believe this is written by north American but who knows ...
I'm from the midwestern US and have lived and worked in SP for about 8 years. To me, this sounds like a typical list of complaints by a North American, but as someone else says: it's rubbish. Some of the things are true, but it looks to me ... Read More
Living & Working in S茫o Paulo by NormForsyth
Hello! My name is Norm, I'm Scottish and currently living in Scotland, UK. I'm planning moving to S茫o Paulo soon with my wife (Brazilian) and my son (Brazilian with dual nationality - 8 months). I have my Brazilian passport and ...
Hi Norm, I'm an American who's lived and worked in Sao Paulo for over 8 years now. If you let me know the type of work / life you're planning here in SP, I can probably point you in the right direction on good places to live. Cheers, ... Read More
What sort of work do most expats do? by Nawii81
Hi all, As I've just moved to Brazil and still in the process of obtaining my permanent visa (with working rights) I'm wanting to get some ideas of what sort of work most expats do. From what I can see teaching English seems pretty common, ...
SteveFunk: "kak" ... ha! I suppose that's a fairly good adjective for it: semi-suburban Chicago ... striving hard to be the Heroin and Gang Violence Capital of the US (and likely to succeed to)! Cheers, JMcL Read More
why do brazilians treat the politicians like rock stars by spanishpete
why do brazilians treat the politicians like rock stars
Yep, I agree with you SpanishPete ... and that's what my Brazilian friends told me: By the time the political guys have enough power to get elected, they already have quite a bit of money ... so they are not so easy or cheap to buy-off. So, I ... Read More
why do brazilians treat the politicians like rock stars by spanishpete
why do brazilians treat the politicians like rock stars
Actually, I've asked Brazilians this question directly and the almost unanimous answer is, seemingly paradoxically, "No". The basic idea is that--unlike in the US--*enemies cannot generally buy politicians*; only friends and family ... Read More
why do brazilians treat the politicians like rock stars by spanishpete
why do brazilians treat the politicians like rock stars
Sounds like buying votes to me too. :- ) Cheers, JMcL Read More
why do brazilians treat the politicians like rock stars by spanishpete
why do brazilians treat the politicians like rock stars
I know some fairly high level people in Partido Trabalhista, and quite a few low level people there as well. Setting aside any overt corruption, people in PT and other parties tell me that party leaders do their best to get people jobs, etc. ... Read More
What sort of work do most expats do? by Nawii81
Hi all, As I've just moved to Brazil and still in the process of obtaining my permanent visa (with working rights) I'm wanting to get some ideas of what sort of work most expats do. From what I can see teaching English seems pretty common, ...
I think SpanishPete has it exactly right about the approach to earning a living in Brazil (or anywhere actually): Just find something that everyone needs and then do it. I'm from the US and, after living here in Brazil for 8 years, I was ... Read More
What sort of work do most expats do? by Nawii81
Hi all, As I've just moved to Brazil and still in the process of obtaining my permanent visa (with working rights) I'm wanting to get some ideas of what sort of work most expats do. From what I can see teaching English seems pretty common, ...
About 8 years ago, I was warned by a Scottish friend of mine--a journalist married to a Brazilian--that SP is an expensive, tough place to work; there's a lot of competition that many foreigners are not well-equipped to handle. To be honest, I ... Read More
What sort of work do most expats do? by Nawii81
Hi all, As I've just moved to Brazil and still in the process of obtaining my permanent visa (with working rights) I'm wanting to get some ideas of what sort of work most expats do. From what I can see teaching English seems pretty common, ...
Ah yes, that makes sense. In the few marceneiro shops I've dealt with, the owners seem esperto in the extreme ... and the young guys seem a bit too thin. :-/ Read More
What sort of work do most expats do? by Nawii81
Hi all, As I've just moved to Brazil and still in the process of obtaining my permanent visa (with working rights) I'm wanting to get some ideas of what sort of work most expats do. From what I can see teaching English seems pretty common, ...
I concur with SpanishPete: There's a big shortage or carpenters (marceneiros) here in South Brazil, and the problem is almost acute in Sao Paulo. I've not been able to figure out why there's a shortage though ... Read More
Applying for permanent residence in Brazil. Tourist Visa expired. by Nawii81
Hi everyone, Couldn't find an answer to my exact situation so thought I'd post the question here. Feel free to send me a link if this has been answered somewhere else before. I'm married to a Brazilian and we are currently in Brazil. ...
I've heard several first-hand stories about arriving at Policia Federal with an expired visa and, although they can detain someone with an expired visa, they almost always tend not to. Example: A Nigerian (who I know personally) went to Policia ... Read More
Finding Work In Sao Paulo-Social Work/Social Services by nv91
Any help would be appreciated. My background/education experience is in Social Services(I'm from Canada). And I want to just kind of get a general idea/preparation of what it is looking like in this field in Sao Paulo. Any websites or jobs or ...
I'm an American/Canadian living and working in Sao Paulo for five years now and I agree completely with everything that James and Bardamu are saying. An important thing I learned--which does not bother me, but it does bother most Americans ... Read More
Brazilian concept of "beauty" by VictoriaChandler
When one looks at these images from various Brazilian carnivals, it's no wonder that many foreigners, including myself, associate Brazilian beauty with images of "exotic" mocha-skinned ...
Hi William, Ah yes, very good point. I agree. There is a lot of suspicion/distrust of "outsiders", which for some bizarre reason doesn't seem to include people from wealthy nations (whatever their race). There's a real aversion ... Read More
Brazilian concept of "beauty" by VictoriaChandler
When one looks at these images from various Brazilian carnivals, it's no wonder that many foreigners, including myself, associate Brazilian beauty with images of "exotic" mocha-skinned ...
Hi Victoria, Regarding ... Also, Brazilians like to say, "We produce so many supermodels because when Italians and Germans started mixing and having offspring, they created some of the most beautiful women in the world." Why is there ... Read More
Considerations surrounding Brazilian citizenship and naturalization by James
Naturalization in any country is nothing to be taken lightly by any stretch of the imagination. This is especially the case here in Brazil because citizenship, however obtained, carries with it certain serious responsibilites as well as rights. So ...
Perfect! Thank you very much! Cheers, John Read More
Considerations surrounding Brazilian citizenship and naturalization by James
Naturalization in any country is nothing to be taken lightly by any stretch of the imagination. This is especially the case here in Brazil because citizenship, however obtained, carries with it certain serious responsibilites as well as rights. So ...
Thank you very much, I think I see the issue more clearly now. So, I suppose my question was stated incorrectly. What I need to determine is whether *living* in Sao Paulo for four years with several brief trips abroad would necessitate just a ... Read More
Considerations surrounding Brazilian citizenship and naturalization by James
Naturalization in any country is nothing to be taken lightly by any stretch of the imagination. This is especially the case here in Brazil because citizenship, however obtained, carries with it certain serious responsibilites as well as rights. So ...
Hello William, First, thank you for all your highly-informative posts. You've helped me a lot already, so I'm in your debt already! :-) I was wondering if you could point me to a clear definition of "uninterrupted residence" ... Read More