Attending College Alongside Leo

Navigating the college experience with my 19-year-old son, Leo, has been one of life’s most unexpected and meaningful adventures. It all began in 2017 when Leo decided to pursue technology studies in Vancouver, Canada. As we prepared for his move—sorting out passports, visas, and all those necessary details, it dawned on us that I could seize this opportunity to return to school myself.

Longing for a change from the routine of daily life in São Paulo and the limited prospects in our field of tourism, my husband, Paulo, and I decided to take the leap together. The promise of a simpler lifestyle and new educational opportunities in Canada led us to Moncton, New Brunswick, where we could all start fresh.

Our arrival on April 29, 2018, marked the beginning of this new chapter. I enrolled in the Hotel and Restaurant Management program at New Brunswick Community College in September 2018, just as Leo began his studies in Quality Assurance Technology. Our days now include early-morning grumpiness, lunch-break run-ins in the hallways, and even the occasional collaboration on a shared assignment. These small, everyday moments have become a source of laughter and connection for us both.

The funny side of our shared experience isn’t lost on us either. Whether it’s Leo’s friends asking, “Is she really your mom?” or my classmates wondering, “Is he really your son?” our unique dynamic sparks conversations and creates memories that make this journey even richer. Embracing the unexpected joy in our situation, these little interactions have become some of the moments I cherish most.

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