By Megan Melone, Writer
Photography submitted by Maria Vitoria Salomao
Maria Vitoria Salomao is a senior international relations major with a management minor. She is from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Maria is a captain of the McKendree women’s tennis team and was the number-one-ranked junior tennis player in Brazil. She is also a resident assistant, Student Government Association President, and the McKendree Vice Chair of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
I interviewed Maria about her time at McKendree and her plans after graduation:
What’s your home like?
SALOMAO: My home is literally my favorite place in the world. It’s beautiful, and we have a huge garden. My neighborhood is full of nice people. We are always making good food; my home is always open to my family friends. We always have guests eating with us. My family is five people: my brother, my sister, my mom, and my dad. We make our home as best as we can, and I think that is probably why it is my favorite place in the world.
Why did you choose to come to America to study?
SALOMAO: First of all, because of tennis. I am a tennis player, so when I started to look for what I would do with tennis in my life, coming to college in America is one of the first options for any type of athlete. You either go pro, or you go to an American university and play for the school, or you stop playing. So, I think the combination of doing what I love, which is international relations and management, and playing tennis at the same time with a scholarship and having this experience was the full package for my future.
Why McKendree?
SALOMAO: Whenever I decided on that (studying abroad in America) – and usually the athletes get the chance to choose a recruitment agency – they search schools with your profile. Mckendree was one of those schools, and at that moment I had an injury on my knee, and I had to go through surgery. So, I didn’t have much options at all, and with McKendree, the only thing that didn’t match with what I wanted was the weather because I am more of a warm weather person, but everything else was matching with what I wanted. The recruitment agency said that it could be the best option for me, so I trusted, and I am glad I did.
So you’re in tennis. What other activities are you involved in?
SALOMAO: I am SGA President. I am a res life member as a resident assistant on my floor, Res Hall West second floor. I have 36 residents, which is good. I work for the alumni department, and I work for the mailroom. I also help with the international student organizations by the side of Brent Reeves. I am Vice Chair of the Illinois Board of Higher Education representing Mckendree. Yeah I think that’s all …
What are some culture shocks or differences from where you are from and the U.S.?
SALOMAO: The first one I would say is food. Food I think says a lot about your culture. I think that is the biggest difference for me from home. Also the way to treat people is different. I think here, we are in a small town, so it’s similar to where I’m from. But as soon as you go to the city, people are colder, and that is a little bit different from Brazil. There are some different points of views about life. International students, we all always want to get to know the world and are more open to everything, and I feel like here in the United States, people are more inside of a bubble, and they are happy with that.
They just want to stay in one place.
SALOMAO: Exactly, and I come from a country where we want to get out of the bubble and explore. That is a big difference as well, but I think that is what makes me feel the difference between both cultures the most. But at the same time, you get to know so many other cultures here, and you get to know yourself in a better way. Like, I don’t have this in my culture, but I kinda like it, so you kind of adapt yourself to be like that culture as well. There are a lot of things from America that I love from other countries around the world, and I am getting the chance to live in this diversity. So, I just love it.
What have you liked about Mckendree and the U.S.?
SALOMAO: People. People, and how the United States and McKendree opened doors for me for my future. How the opportunities here come so fast for you and how many things you have throughout your day that you can take advantage of. I just love it. Every single day I have opportunities in my life and doors in my life that I can take advantage of, and it is going to bring to me good things and good people. I just love that.
What are your plans for after graduation?
SALOMAO: I am applying for grad school, and I am going to play my fifth year in school because I have one more year to play tennis. I am applying for jobs for summer. I am probably going to be doing an internship before I go to grad school.
Do you know where you want to go to grad school?
SALOMAO: For sure a big city.
Anything else to add?
SALOMAO: I think just enjoy the ride. Enjoy the ride and take advantage of your highs and lows. Be ready, and make sure you know how to enjoy every part of your college life. I think that is the most important thing. Make sure you are using your time for things that will add to you and people that will add to you. I think life is too short for you to waste time with people that don’t deserve you or with things that are not gonna add anything to your life.
