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At 17, she was studying for the SAT in the back seat of the car, between one country and another, without prep courses or mentoring, relying only on the internet when it appeared. The result was several acceptance letters from American universities, achieved amidst the family’s second trip around the world.
A student from Santa Catarina was accepted into five universities in the United States at once, an academic achievement that draws attention for its rarity. Most surprisingly, the young woman from Brusque, in the Itajaí Valley, balanced preparation for the demanding American exams with a travel routine that has already taken her to over 100 countries across six continents, alongside her family.
This is Júlia Pasa Tomasi, 17, a resident of the Limeira neighborhood in Brusque. According to a report by the ND Mais portal published on May 28, 2026, she was accepted in the 2026 admissions cycle at institutions such as the University of Connecticut, Miami University, University of Rhode Island, Florida State University, and Louisiana State University, after completing high school at an American school. The acceptances were announced over the months as the universities released their results.
Studying while traveling the world
What makes Júlia’s story so remarkable is the context in which she prepared. The student is part of the “Family Around the World” project, alongside her parents, Jocemar and Adriana, and her brother, Miguel. Together, they have visited about 100 countries on six continents and completed, in 2025, their second trip around the world, turning roads, monuments, and landscapes from the most diverse corners of the planet into the backdrop for the young woman’s studies.
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In practice, this meant studying in very unconventional conditions. In interviews with the press, Júlia described scenes of rereading notes or practicing essays with the computer in the car seat, parked by the roadside, without the structure of a traditional prep course. She mentioned that she had to balance preparation for the SAT, the standardized test required by American universities, with English proficiency tests and the production of essays requested in applications, all while experiencing new cultures.
Without prep courses or mentoring
Another aspect that impresses is that a good part of the preparation was done on her own. Júlia stated that she did not take a preparatory course nor had formal mentoring, organizing her studies independently, based on research on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, in addition to conversations with students who had already gone through the international application process.
The young woman also mentioned that she read several approved essays to understand the strategies used in applications. She highlighted that today there are free online simulations for the SAT and English tests, as well as mentoring and consulting services that help candidates better understand how universities evaluate essays and personal stories, resources that can facilitate the path for those who dream of studying abroad.
What American universities really seek
For Júlia, one of the biggest lessons was understanding that the selection process in the United States goes far beyond grades. According to the student, universities analyze extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, essays, personal goals, and the impact the candidate already makes outside the classroom, creating a complete portrait of who is applying.
“American universities are not looking for perfect students. They want students who are already making an impact,” said the young woman. She also highlighted the competitiveness of these selections, citing as an example the University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA, which receives more than 140,000 applications per year. Even so, she argues that studying abroad is an achievable goal for Brazilian students who plan ahead.
There is no magic formula
Despite the achievement, Júlia insists on dispelling the idea that there is a guaranteed path to acceptance. “There is, unfortunately, no magic formula for being accepted in the United States,” she said, warning that simply copying what other accepted students did does not guarantee the same result, as each application is evaluated individually and within its own context.
This message is important to avoid creating false expectations in those inspired by the story. More than a recipe, what the student’s journey shows is the weight of the combination of planning, discipline, and clarity of objectives. “With a clear goal and focus, you can go very far,” concluded the young woman, who intends to share more about the process on her social media channels.
The pride of Santa Catarina and the next step
Júlia’s story has strong appeal in Santa Catarina, especially in Brusque and the Vale do Itajaí region, known for its culture of work and entrepreneurship. Daughter of parents who once owned a neighborhood pharmacy and decided to invest in a life of travel and learning, the young woman represents an example of how horizons can be expanded from the interior of Santa Catarina.
Now, the next step is to decide which institution to attend, considering academic rigor, course quality, and alignment with her professional goals. Júlia intends to pursue a career in business, known in the United States as “business,” and hopes, with her journey, to inspire other young Brazilians to chase their own dreams, whether inside or outside the country.
The journey of the student from Santa Catarina, Júlia Pasa Tomasi, is one of those that renews the spirit of those who dream big. Balancing preparation for competitive international selection processes with a routine of traveling to over 100 countries, without attending prep courses and often studying inside a car, shows that determination and planning can indeed open surprising doors. More than the number of acceptances, the message remains that opportunities exist for those who prepare, with focus and clear objectives, even starting from a small town in Santa Catarina.
And you, what did you think of the story of this young woman from Brusque who got accepted into several American universities while traveling the world? Do you know someone who dreams of studying abroad? Leave your comment, tell us what inspired you the most in this journey, and share the article with that student who needs a little push to believe in their own dreams.
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