Brazilian exchange student finds a second home in Cabri
By Joan Janzen
CABRI – Krystal and Shelby Prokopchuk from Cabri, Sask. invited an exchange student from Brazil into their home at the beginning of the school year. Grade 11 student Julia Francelino dos Santos arrived in Canada on September 4th from Coronel Vivida, located in southern Brazil.
A long way from Paraná. Grade 11 exchange student Julia Francelino dos Santos (left) with her host mom, Shelby Prokopchuk (right), of Cabri. Julia arrived from Coronel Vivida, Brazil, on September 4th and will spend five months with the Prokopchuk family. SUBMITTED PHOTO
“Moving from a smaller town in Brazil straight to Canada has been an incredible contrast,” Julia wrote with the help of a translation app. The 16-year-old is still finding it difficult to carry on a conversation in English. However, she is using every opportunity to practise her English, including volleyball practice with the school team.
Krystal and Shelby have three children, and the oldest is in the same grade as Julia. “I’ve always loved travelling, and hosting felt like a way to bring a bit of that home and share it with our kids,” Krystal explained.
Julia will be living with her host family for five months in the small town of Cabri, located east of the Great Sand Hills. Within a month of her arrival, she has already done a bit of travelling with the Prokopchuk family. She’s been to Waskesiu, gone camping at Saskatchewan Landing and taken a trip to Winnipeg.
“I am super excited to see snow up close and experience a true Canadian winter!” Julia exclaimed. She came prepared, bringing thermal layers, gloves, snow boots and a winter coat.
Julia is finding that food is one of the biggest cultural differences. In Brazil, she is accustomed to traditional meals of rice, beans, salad and protein. In Canada, she finds breakfasts are much heartier, and lunch consists of sandwiches, wraps or soup.
Her educational experience at school is also very different. “In my high school in Brazil, students stay in the exact same classroom with the same group of classmates all day, and the teachers rotate between classes,” she explained. She finds that moving to different classrooms for each subject gives her an opportunity to interact with new peers in every class. She also appreciates the classes that focus on practical, interactive skill development.
The Brazilian teen described Canadians as exceptionally polite, kind and helpful, with a deep respect for personal space and privacy. “In Brazil our culture is extremely warm, expressive and affectionate. We hug a lot, talk openly with neighbours and strangers and keep very close social bonds,” she said. She noticed Canadians practise strict punctuality and organize daily routines around the weather and changing seasons.
Julia was chosen for the exchange program based on her academic excellence and dedication. “My greatest motivation was seeing all my hard work, late-night studying and perseverance turn into the opportunity of a lifetime,” she said. Her dream is to become a paediatrician.
As much as she loves being in Canada, Julia misses her family back home, especially her nine-month-old baby sister. She also has a 10-year-old brother, a 20-year-old sister and a 24-year-old brother, along with her mother and stepfather.
Her stepfather works as a supervisor at an animal feed factory. She described him as extremely hard-working, often putting in overtime hours to provide for the family. Her mother works from home.
“I stay in close touch with my family through video calls,” Julia said. She’s deeply grateful for the love and support of her family, and for her Canadian family who welcomed her with open arms.
“The program, Hello Sask International, is coordinated by Lindsay Alliban,” Krystal said, describing the exchange program. It was started in 2026 out of Hazlet School and has expanded to include more rural schools. Julia and Krystal began messaging each other over the summer, becoming acquainted before she left Brazil.
Hosting an exchange student is an opportunity for rural families to share their family, culture and community while helping a student create unforgettable memories in Canada. Anyone interested in hosting an exchange student can contact Lindsay Alliban at lindsay.alliban@gmail.com.
“Representing Coronel Vivida and the students of Paraná here in Canada is a huge honour that I will carry with me forever!” Julia said.