Maria Luiza is a sparkly person. I say this not because of the multiple earrings or bracelets she always like to carry, but because that, even after years of friendship and kilometers apart from each other, we can still share a good laugh now and then. Actually, she can do it with anybody she meets (seriously). We were neighbors for an year or two, in Mogi das Cruzes, my hometown, and became friends when she came to me speaking something about High School Musical and the towels she used to make dresses with. Now a Casperian, she tells us about the differences between São Paulo and Goiânia, and the perks of pursuing her dreams in this crazy, multiple city.
Age: 20 years-old
Hometown: Goiânia (GO)
Major: Publicity and Advertisement
Year: 2019
Zodiac sign: Virgo
I know you’ve lived in many cities before, from Goiás’ countryside to Aracaju [capital of Sergipe, and a beach town]. How is it to live alone now, in São Paulo, which happens to be the biggest city in our country?
Living alone tends to be too lonely, but mostly, it’s fun. It’s the first time, at least for real, that most us get to feel the perks of adult life, the freedom of it. When you suddenly recovers your senses, you see yourself living in this huge city, all by yourself, but with a world to conquer.
What are the main differences between São Paulo and Goiânia?
Definitely the people. In Goiânia, most people are closed-minded. Shaped in plain ideas, too common sense, you know? And when you get to a city like São Paulo, where you see all kinds of people, thoughts, styles, and all of that, you get to feel a lot more comfortable with yourself. I got to learn a lot here, and I still try to bring more and more myself out of this bubble we all live in. And it’s also curious because when I get to visit Goiânia, I’m able to discuss things with friends, to bring other points of view and impact them as well. In Goiânia, people usually care a lot for their statuses, looks, and what the other is going to think of the things you do. I’d say that Goiânia is a huge small town. [Laughs]
Why do you study Publicity and Ad? And why in Cásper, since it’s a long way from Goiânia?
Honestly? I’ve always wanted to study Fashion, but people would always tell me I have this great communicative side. And also because my parents weren’t too keen on the idea of me studying fashion. [Laughs] In Communication, Publicity was the course I identified with the most, because it has a wide range of careers I can follow, and the closest way to work with Fashion, when compared to the other Majors. And Cásper… well, because of you [Brenda]! [Laughs] It was more accessible to me, considering that I wanted to live in another state, and basically because there’s a part of my family that lives in São Paulo, so it means less worrying for my parents.
Has college been living up to your expectations?
More or less. The infrastructure is good, better than the ones I’d find in Goiânia. But still, I think there’s something missing there. Maybe some free courses to expand and qualify us for the market.
Did you already think about what do you want to work with?
If I work in an agency, I’d like to work on the relationship with the clients. It means that I would work directly on the negotiation with the clients, from the formal meetings to the lunches and coffee breaks we do to find an agreement and sign the contract. But I still want something to do with fashion, even though I’m not really sure of what.
You have a classy, fashionable style. Where do you shop, and what do you do to make a look pop?
I usually shop at Zara, C&A, Renner, and all of those fast-fashion brands. Since I like quite classy, I tend to choose a few clue pieces that I can mix with more basic stuff. For example, I love those Chanel-styled blazers. To update them to our daily looks, or even to make them funnier, I mix it with some destroyed jeans, and I’m set to go!
What do you miss the most in Goiânia?
I moved back there when I was a teenager, so basically all of my greatest friendships were built in that period, and they still mean a lot to me. I had this settled up life, you know, and to move to a new city and build another life all over again… it’s complicated. I have a certain experience on it, so it wasn’t as hard as I expected it to be. But I miss my family, my friends, my bed, a good barbecue… [Laughs] Except for the first two items, anything can be substituted in São Paulo, and by my own hands.
Could you give new Casperians, that will move from other cities, some hints to survive?
Try to keep your head calm, because people in our college are very receptive, and I’m very lucky to have the friends I’ve made in Cásper. In the beginning, it’s quite lonely, since no one really trusts the other, but it gets better. You also get homesick a lot, and begins to wonder “what am I doing here?”, but then the other day you wake up and see that all of this will end someday. You are making a brilliant path, all by yourself, and everything will be rewarded in the future.