July 20, 2006
-
GoRedbirds: You are obviously a native of Brazil. What year did you come to the states?
Manoela DaCunha: I came to the states for the first time as a senior in high school in 2001, and attended Northview High School in Indiana.
GR: How did you end up in Indiana?
DaCunha: I did the foreign exchange program in high school, and was picked by a family in Indiana. It was great, because one of my sisters from the family also played volleyball. It was a great experience.
GR: What do you miss most about Brazil?
DaCunha: Definitely my family.
GR: How often do you get to go back to see them?
DaCunha: Usually two times a year. I go home over the Christmas holidays, and once during the summer. This summer I decided to stay here to take a couple classes. I'm not sure how it's going to be, because it will end up being a whole year since I have seen my family in December.
GR: What happened to Brazil in the World Cup?!
DaCunha: I knew you were going to ask me that! I'll tell you what happened... our players thought they were better than they really were, and were selfish. They didn't play as a team. It was definitely disappointing. One thing that a lot of people don't know is that Ronaldo was injured, so he hadn't played for two and a half months before the World Cup. I think by the beginning of the tournament he was healthy again, but in the last game, I couldn't pick out anyone on the team that played well, including Ronaldo.
GR: What is your favorite thing about living in the U.S.?
DaCunha: I don't know what my favorite part is, but one big difference is that being away from my family, I have to make my own decisions. I don't have my parents here to guide me. My dad always gives his opinion when I ask him about something, but he lets me make my own decisions. Even when I was being recruited for volleyball, I did it all on my own. For most athletes, their parents were involved in the recruiting process. I did it all myself. But being independent is something I've learned to enjoy.
GR: How many languages do you speak?
DaCunha: I speak Portuguese and English, and a little Spanish. I understand the Spanish language, but have trouble speaking it. Portuguese is obviously the main language in Brazil.
GR: Did either of your brothers play sports growing up?
DaCunha: My younger brother plays soccer, and my older brother played handball growing up. My parents actually play handball also.
GR: What does your older brother do now?
DaCunha: My older brother is in medical school in Brazil right now, so he's really busy. He's very different than me. He would never leave the country and be away from the family.
GR: Your major is international business. What is your dream job?
DaCunha: I definitely want to work for a company that does business overseas. I also want to be able to travel in my job, because I love to travel. My dream job would be something that is dynamic so I can get experience in many different areas of business.
GR: Favorite class?
DaCunha: I've taken a couple of Economics classes now, and have enjoyed them. That's what I plan on getting my minor in.
GR: Would you ultimately like to move back to Brazil following college?
DaCunha: I don't know. I think I will be able to get a better job in the United States than I would in Brazil coming out of college. But at the same time, I don't know if I want to stay here either. I've thought a lot about moving to Europe also. I would love to live in Italy for at least a couple of years. But that's more of a dream, so we'll see what happens.
GR: What is your favorite mis-pronunciation of your name?
DaCunha: I couldn't tell you my favorite one, because there's been so many of them! I've heard everything. Since I've been at ISU, it hasn't been as bad on the road as when I was at ICC, because the coaches always go over how to pronounce my name with the announcers before the games. When I was playing at ICC, especially in road matches, it was always wrong. I just laugh every time someone completely messes it up. It happens in class all the time too, especially at the beginning of the semester. A professor will start to pronounce my name, and I just raise my hand before they finish. I'm used to it by now!
GR: For the record, Manoela Vieira DaCunha is pronounced man-WELL-lah da-KOON-yah
