Bruno Figueiredo Correa de Araujo is a junior at the University of Florida. Bruno has lived in the United States for just under a decade. He moved from São Paulo, Brazil to Orlando in 2014 and is now a Certified Nursing Assistant in Gainesville, Florida.
Bruno grew up taking English classes at his home in Brazil. His mom put him in the classes because "You can go anywhere if you know English." He said he went two times a week, in addition to normal schooling. Bruno said it was beneficial when he moved to Orlando.
"It was a good way for me to adapt," he said.
Bruno was a part of the English for Speakers of Other Languages program in Osceola County.. While in the program, he was able to connect with fellow Brazilians and Portuguese speakers while adjusting to life in America.
When he moved to the United States he picked up the sport of volleyball. He said sports and a common language made the transition smoother.
"Every team I went through was a family," he said, "It made me socialize."
He attended Celebration High School and played volleyball all throughout his time there. He played both varsity and club level volleyball. He played on the court and on the beach. At the end of his high school beach volleyball career he won the Florida Regional tournament and secured a bid to the National tournament in Los Angeles. And he has continued that trend in college.
"I stress less," he said about playing in college.
Bruno is a member of the indoor and beach club volleyball teams at UF. The pre-med student said all that sports experience has prepared him for his future in medicine.
He works as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Park Meadows Health and Rehabilitation Center. Bruno works with elderly patients to make sure they are staying safe, healthy and comfortable.
He said sports showed him how to remain respectful and never take anything personal.
"I really like helping people, interacting with the patients and helping them out," he said.
Bruno said his goal is to be a doctor for a professional sports team some day. He hopes to be in a place where he can continue to help and make people happy.
"Their gratitude means a lot to me," he said.
He will graduate with an undergrad degree from UF in spring semester of 2024 and apply for medical school.