Faces of Galway 45/100

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Meet Stella from Salvador de Bahia, Brazil

Growing up in the tropical island of Itaparica is a world apart from life in Galway. Like anyone who is living away from her home country there are elements Stella misses about Brazil. Her family, the food, being able to live life more in the outdoors rather than having to plan for the rain. Jungle treks are replaced with walks in Barna Woods, while a lot safer they are slightly less interesting. But the people make Galway home for Stella. Her experiences with such open and friendly people is her real connection to home. 

Stella was born in Brazil to a Brazilian mum and French dad. At the age of 19 she was living in Paris, and already fluent in French and Portuguese and Spanish, she decided she wanted to learn English. When an Au-Pair job came up in Galway she jumped at the chance. She spent the next year and a half living in ClareGalway, minding 4 children in a house where everyone mainly spoke Irish. Then ready to branch out on her own she moved into the city.

After her son was born she started attending Water Babies classes and loved the idea of being back in the water. It wasn't long before she embarked on an 18 month training course to become a Water Babies instructor. This has given her life a whole new focus and she loves getting to meet so many of Galway's cutest babies. Stella's calm and fun demeanour in the pool makes her a hit with both parents and babies and she is now the most senior swim instructor with water babies. 

For more information on Water Babies check out their local Facebook page here and don't forget to request Stella!