Adriely Costa

What is your favorite campus tradition?

Singing the Alma Mater at the end of every football game and feeling the energy of the whole student section cheering together for the Irish.

What is your favorite spot on campus?

7th floor of Duncan Student Center where you can admire all of Notre Dame’s best sights: The Golden Dome, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and the Stadium. I would recommend going there during sunset hour which makes the view extra special.

What is your best Notre Dame memory?

My first Grotto trip at the end of HISE was one of the most special moments I’ve had at Notre Dame so far. Having the opportunity to share a special moment of prayer along with other international students who I had met only a few days before but turned out to be my best-friends today made me truly feel what it was like to be part of the Notre Dame community.

What is your favorite Dining Hall Meal?

Sliced apples with peanut butter or the make-your-own omelet station at North (best dining hall on campus).

What is your favorite thing about dorm life?

Instantly being part of a community of people who care about you and support you even if they barely know you. I love all the different traditions and signature events of each dorm and how it is like they all have a personality that weirdly aligns with the residents’ own personalities, even though the housing process is completely random.

What clubs/activities are you involved in?

Currently working with the IDEA Center (the entrepreneurship and innovation center on campus) in the development of a personal project; Mentor at Brazilian Student Association; Love your Melon Notre Dame crew; International Student Admission Board; Social Media and Multicultural Commissioner at Flaherty Hall.

What made you choose Notre Dame?

What attracted me to Notre Dame the most was the unique aspect of the ND education: we are not only being challenged academically or being prepared to enter the workforce, but we are also understanding our values and learning how to seek a bigger purpose in everything we do. There is no other place that cares as much about education as it cares about developing their students to be ethical and empathetic leaders like Notre Dame does. In Father Sorin’s words, Notre Dame strives to be a “powerful force for good”.

What is your favorite part about being an international student at Notre Dame?

Being an international student on campus instantly makes you a more interesting person: people around you and your professors are always curious to learn more about your culture and your life back home. There are also a variety of cultural events going on around campus that allows you to engage with different cultures all in one place. Overall, the best part about being an international student at ND is the strong community of international students and all the support that comes from it.

How did you adjust to life on campus?

By constantly talking to upperclassmen and asking them for advice. They all have gone through the same things you are experiencing in your transition to college and they can offer great insights about the best and less-painful ways to tackle any situation.

How do you celebrate your culture/heritage at ND?

The Brazilian community on campus always gets together to grab meals and catch up on events that are going on in Brazil. We also get together to make brigadeiros, eat pão de queijo, watch a Brazilian TV-shows, or just have a good time and enjoy each other’s company.

What advice do you have for international students?

Don’t try to rush things when you get to campus, go at your own pace and sooner than you know you will be adapted to all aspects of life at Notre Dame. Don’t be scared to reach out for help if you need it, there are plenty of people and resources that can help you feel comfortable and at home. A good piece of advice that worked well for me: try to get involved with things that you wouldn’t necessarily have the opportunity to do so back home. Being open to new experiences will allow to meet incredible people and build some great memories during your time at Notre Dame.