Paulo Costa Trio Entrevista - Suzana Figueira
Paulo Costa Trio Entrevista
Paulo Costa Trio presents a new series of interviews with Brazilians, Latinos, and people connected with the Brazilian culture who live in Cleveland, Ohio. Our mission is to build a stronger community among Brazilians living in the city, telling their histories, promoting their work, and helping new members to feel welcome in Cleveland. We will post one new interview every week! Every guest will have an opportunity to sing a song with us. We hope you all enjoy it. - Paulo Costa, Felipe Brito, Davi Lira
Interview with Suzana Figueira
January 19, 2018 | Cleveland, Ohio
Suzana Figueira has lived in the United States since 1987. Suzana has worked as a mental health therapist for 19 years and is currently developing an NGO (non-governmental organization) to help the Brazilian community in Northeast Ohio. She is from Rio Grande do Norte and lived many years in the state of Ceará.
Tell us a little bit of your story
I never thought I would live in the US even though I have a sister that lives here for longer than I have. Third years ago I met a boy in Brazil and it was love at first sight. He was from California. After a couple of months, we got married and I moved to California and then Cleveland. I had a son, Nicolas, who’s 26 now. After a couple of years, I got divorced. Twelve years ago, I met my second husband, Jack. We dated for six years and have been married for six and a half years and I’m very happy.
How was your experience leaving Brazil?
In the beginning, it was very hard, but my ex-husband’s family was amazing and made my adaptation a lot easier. I had my first cultural shock when I was in Maryland visiting my sister. At the time I was used to Brazilian customs, where everyone is out in the street talking with their neighbors. So one day, around 4 pm I went to see what was happening out in the street and it was empty. I was shocked.
What do you do for work in Cleveland?
My work is my passion. I have been a mental health therapist for 19 years. I started working with young adults that were dependent on alcohol and drugs. 7 years ago I opened my own office and I work with couples where I try to help people to free themselves to the unknown and also how to deal with anxiety, depression, trauma, and work-related issues.
Can you talk more about the NGO “Brasileiros em Cleveland (Brazilians in Cleveland)”?
It’s an organization made of people from different parts of Brazil. Our main goal is to unite Brazilians from the Cleveland and Akron area. We want to welcome Brazilians that are first arriving and provide them information about the culture, art, music, schools, housing, everything you could think of. We are just beginning, but I’m very happy and excited about it. We have a website: brasileirosemcleveland.com and also a Facebook page.
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