Meet CAEP Agriculture Intern, Eduardo Passos Carneiro

Meet CAEP Agriculture intern Eduardo Passos Carneiro, a 23-year-old student from Brazil. Read on to learn about his experience training at a ranch in South Dakota, USA!

“I am training at a family operated business called Karlen Ranch in Reliance, South Dakota. The family is really hard working, very driven and when I arrived at the farm the youngest son treated me like a brother. It was something I will never forget. I am living with two other trainees from South Africa. I am currently studying agronomy back home at the University. Since I have only one more semester left to graduate, I decided to come to the United States to gain experience in my area.

I think the most challenging part of this experience was in the beginning, working with people that I have never worked with before. The communication at first was complicated too because of their accents and the use of slang terms such as “what’s up?” and “Do you wanna hang out?” etc.

My host taught me how to plant, check depth, and how to calibrate the machinery. He also taught me how to fix all of the equipment, how to operate the grain cart during wheat and corn harvest, I loaded an average of 30 trucks a day with grain, I learned how to fence, and how to conduct the maintenance of combines, tractors, trucks and conveyors. My host had me plant an entire 400-acre field of soybeans.

My favorite experience in United States was when I went to New York City to meet some friends. I also went to Rapid City to visit Mount Rushmore. Now, I’m planning to go to Colorado to ski for New Year’s Eve.

I’m a new person now. Everything will be easy for me when I go back home after working so hard and learning so much. I feel like I can do anything I want now. I’m able and ready to do it.

I recommend CAEP because this program does make you a better person. The experience here has made me feel stronger than ever.