Duality - Luca Pylypiak
Today was our first full day in Brazil. There was so much that happened between the introductory meeting, the American consulate meeting us, and a walking tour of São Paulo. What stood out to me most throughout the day was the contrast between different parts of the city and how it reflects the wealth disparity and lack of the middle class.
While we did the walking tour through Sao Paulo, I noticed how skyscrapers and luxury buildings reside next to older buildings that are either preserved or revamped into somethings like a McDonald's.
Seeing modern businesses placed inside older architecture perfectly showed the mix of old and new throughout the city. At the same time, nature is present everywhere. Trees and plants are growing right in the middle of the city. It feels like two different worlds coexisting in one place.
While we were walking, I felt like the city of São Paulo itself reflects the wealth disparity in Brazil. There is a very visible divide between the upper and lower classes, with almost no noticeable middle class. The modern buildings show growth and global success, especially after hearing from the American consulate about international business and diplomacy, but the older parts of the city tell a different story. Today made me realize that cities can tell their country’s story without anyone saying a word. São Paulo’s mix of old and new reflects the duality of Brazil’s beauty and the inequality that exists within it.
About the author
Roberts Wesleyan University
As a community of learners committed to historic Christianity, Roberts Wesleyan University seeks to prepare thoughtful, spiritually mature, service-oriented people who will help transform society.
We are a private Christian university in Rochester, New York, offering over 80 undergraduate and graduate programs.
As the only NCAA Division II institution in the region and member of the East Coast Conference, Roberts is committed to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and competitive athletics.