1. Admissions
  2. Apply to Rio
  3. International Admissions
  4. English as a Second Language
  5. ESL Student Profiles

ESL Student Profiles

Rafael Kawata

Rafael Kawata, a 22-year-old from Taubaté, São Paulo, Brazil, came to the University of Rio Grande with two primary goals: to play soccer and to broaden his academic journey. He's currently majoring in Business and is set to graduate in 2026. 

What Rafael appreciates most about life in Rio Grande is the warm and welcoming community. He shared, "I feel truly welcomed and very well treated here."

Rafael's journey with the university's ESL (English as a Second Language) Program has been transformative. Reflecting on his experience, he said, "When I first came to Rio, my English wasn't great. The ESL classes helped me practice all skills—speaking, listening, reading, writing, and vocabulary. Now, I feel much more confident talking to Americans and communicating with everyone."

Looking ahead, Rafael hopes to stay in the United States after graduation to build a fulfilling career and enjoy a high quality of life. He also wants to share a message with Americans: "Brazil is home to many beautiful places, like Christ the Redeemer, stunning beaches, and historic buildings, but more importantly, it is full of good and respectful people."

 

Baptiste Peyre-Bourdette Soccer

Baptiste Peyre-Bourdette is from Pau, France. He is a 19-year-old soccer player at Rio. He came to Rio to pursue a business degree and play soccer. He plans to graduate in 2027. What he likes the most about Rio is that it is a quiet place where he can study without distractions. He joined the ESL Program in the Fall term of 2023 and graduated from it in 2024. He is currently taking English Composition 1. He says the ESL Program helped him improve his speaking, listening, and especially writing skills. After he graduates, he plans to pursue an MBA. Baptist would like Americans to know that France is a beautiful country, and there is more to it than just Paris. Many other cities with beautiful landscapes deserve attention as well. 

 

Otavio

Otavio Tonoli is from Campinas, one of the largest cities in São Paulo, Brazil. At 20 years old, he is both a volleyball player for University of Rio Grande and a Business Management student aiming to graduate in 2027. Otavio came to Rio specifically to play volleyball and pursue his degree at an American university. 

Otavio loves the natural beauty of southern Ohio, especially the landscape filled with trees and open skies, which he describes as incredibly beautiful. He joined the ESL Program in the Fall of 2023 and completed it in one semester, then continued with English Composition in the Spring of 2024. Reflecting on his experience, he highlights the ESL program's supportive community, saying, “you make new friends, and you realize that you are not alone; everyone is trying to improve themselves together.” He credits the program with helping him build friendships, get involved in campus life, and develop the academic English skills essential for his studies.

After graduation, Otavio plans to move to a larger city in the United States to find a job and eventually start his own business. He wishes more Americans knew about Brazilian food, calling it “the most delicious that I have ever had in my life!” He finds it fascinating to learn about the unique aspects of different cultures.