A hobby I picked up at a young age that had a defining impact on my life was surfing. My relatives who live in Brazil introduced me to it, and I immediately enjoyed it. Going surfing became a sort of annual tradition for me, as every summer when I would visit Brazil to see my family, nearly every day, we would head to the beach, rain or shine. Surfing became very meaningful to me because despite not being from the area or being a native Portuguese speaker, I felt connected to the city and its people, as surfing was a large part of their culture. Moreover, it also influenced other aspects of my life. After I began surfing, I developed a passion for learning about the ocean, which became another hobby that continues to this day. It also helped me build a much better bond with my relatives, as this was something we could all enjoy despite having many different hobbies and a different culture. Unfortunately, I have not been able to go to Brazil the past few summers, whether it be due to being busy with other commitments or because of a pandemic. However, I am looking forward to visiting again someday.