In Brazil, families and friends come together at the table for meals to connect with one another for long periods of time to enjoy a leisurely meal. So, when international students from Brazil came to Loyola Marymount University, they were surprised to see how many students were eating alone, with their earbuds in.
In their first few weeks as they began their journey on the bluff, they craved one of the things they missed most about their homeland of Brazil: the connections and the conversations over meals. Anna Pfaltzgraff Gorini ’27, an English and screenwriting double major, used the word “saudade” to describe the feeling, which translates to missing someone or craving things the way they were before. So, they decided to band together and create what is now lovingly known as the Brazilian table in The Lair or other favorite spots on and nearby campus. For Alessia Berry ’26, a double major in marketing, information systems and business analytics, sharing meals became the way they found the Brazilian community at LMU. “In school in Brazil, I would have dinner with my friends and family, me and my Brazilian friends,” said Berry. “And it was the first thing I asked my friends from Brazil when I got here to LMU: can we have dinner together? We were really just trying to be together over meals; we would meet as a group of five. But then, as we passed by people in The Lair, we would say, ‘Come sit with us,’ and slowly every week our Brazilian community dinners grew.”The Brazilian student community at LMU was created to offer a welcoming space where students can share ideas, experiences, and culture. For many, it’s a way to feel connected after international orientation ends and to overcome the challenges of adjusting to a new environment. Through shared meals, lively conversations, and cultural exchange, this community has become a place of belonging, not just for Brazilians but for anyone interested in learning and celebrating Brazilian heritage. It’s about friendship, identity, and creating a home away from home.
At the same time, a group of students founded the first-ever Brazilian Student Association (BSA), a registered student organization focused on international students and those curious about Brazilian culture. While it began a few years ago, when the executive board graduated last year four students decided they would take on the role of leading this organization forward. Its mission is to create a welcoming, inclusive space where Brazilian students feel at home and others can discover the richness of Brazilian culture. Through shared experiences and cultural activities, BSA aims to connect LMU students of all nationalities, fostering understanding, friendship, and a vibrant community rooted in diversity.
All students have participated in LMU’s International Student Orientation, and some have returned to serve as International Orientation leaders, supporting other international students in their first days at LMU, helping them make the transition from their homes to the bluff. International Orientation is more than an introduction; it’s a promise of belonging. Veridiana Gordilho ’26, a communication studies and screenwriting double major and current president of BSA, shared, “You see how important you are for the upcoming students … I was in their place two years ago, and now I get to show them what LMU can be.” Through shared meals, conversations, and community, O-Leaders become trusted guides and friends, ensuring every student feels welcomed, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Julia Vilardi ’26, a double-major in screenwriting and English, shared that during International Orientation, she remembers receiving advice that, at the time, she didn’t think would be true, but it has come full circle for her now. “I remember Denise Folga, director of Office for International Students and Scholars, asking us to look around the room at those students sitting next to us, saying how these would be the people we would be surrounded with the rest of our years here at LMU,” said Vilardi. “At the time, I kind of laughed it off, but really looking back now it could not be more true. It’s great to be surrounded by people I know call my friends, and it’s quite a beautiful thing that together we can support one another while we’re here at LMU and hopefully beyond.”
Together, the students described their LMU experiences using words like “warm,” a safe space,” and “chosen family.” In many ways, while things may be different in the U.S. and there were some feelings of loss for some of the things from their Brazilian homes, they also did not know or realize what they would gain from their college experience and how when we leave our homes we don’t realize we’re going to create a new one here in college it’s not something you expect the friends I made here are my family.
On Monday, Nov. 17, BSA joined forces with the OISS to host a delicious feijoada prepared by Chef Ubi from LMU Dining, who is from Brazil. Feijoada is a dish made from a stew of black beans with various cuts of pork and beef. It is served with farofa, white rice, sautéed collard greens, and sliced oranges, among other sides. It is a popular dish, typical of Brazilian cuisine. “It’s been so helpful for Chef Ubi to guide us,” said Gordilho. “In Brazil, the food is really strong. Food is something we need, and it connects us with one another on a deeper level. Brazilians sit and eat and chat, and I feel like with this event we need to do it with the whole international community to join us.”
Then, in the afternoon, BSA hosted a “Make Your Own Brigadeiro” workshop in The Lair. Students learned about one of Brazil’s most iconic desserts while rolling their own brigadeiros and discovering the cultural history behind this beloved treat. This hands-on activity encouraged cultural exchange, community building, and a sweet introduction to Brazilian traditions. Originating in the 1940s, these bite-sized delights are made from condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter, and coated in chocolate sprinkles. Traditionally served at birthdays and celebrations, brigadeiros are more than just candy; they’re a symbol of joy and togetherness in Brazilian culture. Their rich, fudgy texture and melt-in-your-mouth sweetness make them irresistible, and their popularity has spread worldwide as a taste of Brazil’s warmth and hospitality.
