By Enrico Paparelli didn’t have to think twice before leaving Brazil. He traveled more than 27 hours and moved 6,400 miles away from home to play soccer at Carroll College.
“The trip here to Helena was very long and boring,” Paparelli said.“It wasn’t a straight shot or a smooth trip.”
Paparelli, from Sao Paulo, Brazil, is a first-year student majoring in business while competing on our Fighting Saints Men’s Soccer team.
Paparelli’s father, Adriano Paparelli, was on a semi-pro soccer league team in Guarulhos City, Sao Paulo, Brazil. With his father’s love for soccer, Paparelli was able to start the sport young, creating a lasting bond.
“There are really not a lot of outdoor activities there [Brazil] like here, so my friends and I would mainly play soccer and hang out,” Paparelli said.
Not only is Sao Paulo the largest and most populated city in Brazil, but it is also the world’s fourth-largest city. With the large crowds and many tourists wishing to explore a new culture, outdoor activities such as hiking are not as common there as it is in Helena.
Back home, Paparelli also enjoys family time with his younger brother, Lucas, with whom he is very close.
Paparelli and his brother Lucas would play soccer and video games together.
“I was always helping him with homework, especially his English homework,” Paparelli said.
Even though he will miss those bonds, he is already fond of the beautiful scenery and kind people here in Helena.
Paparelli is excited to have this journey with our Carroll family.
“I am enjoying Carroll a lot, especially because of its community and how people are nice here and always caring for each other,” Paparelli said. “I feel at home here because of my teammates – they treat me like family.”
