{"id":22836,"date":"2026-02-23T09:00:25","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T09:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/hu\/2026\/02\/23\/from-online-friendships-to-in-person-connections-a-clonlara-gathering-in-sao-paulo-brazil\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T14:43:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T14:43:22","slug":"from-online-friendships-to-in-person-connections-a-clonlara-gathering-in-sao-paulo-brazil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/hu\/2026\/02\/23\/from-online-friendships-to-in-person-connections-a-clonlara-gathering-in-sao-paulo-brazil\/","title":{"rendered":"From Online Friendships to In-Person Connections: A Clonlara Gathering in S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>How do you turn online friends into real life community? One group of Clonlara School students decided to take their friendship offline with a gathering at Ibirapuera Park in S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil. Read to the end for tips on organizing your own Clonlara gathering!<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt all started with informal conversations with a few of my friends,\u201d shared Nicole, one of the organizers of last September\u2019s student-led gathering in Brazil. Nicole and her friends had already developed a close relationship through Clonlara\u2019s online clubs and meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOver time, it became increasingly clear how real and deep these friendships were, even though they were built at a distance,\u201d Nicole shared. \u201cThe sense of belonging already existed, but something essential was missing: meeting in person.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>An Idea Becomes Reality&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The students decided they wanted to organize a large gathering that would bring together more students and families from the Brazilian Off-Campus Program, rather than just their small group.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe proposal was simple and meaningful: to create a space where everyone could see each other, talk, play, share experiences, and finally turn online relationships into in-person connections,\u201d Nicole explained.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They organized the gathering collectively in a WhatsApp group, with three students taking the lead. The group chose Ibirapuera Park in S\u00e3o Paulo as the meeting place, due to its accessibility for participants from different Brazilian states.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The group of attendees included Clonlara students, parents, siblings, and even pets!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt was an informal, welcoming, and collaborative gathering that lasted the entire day\u2014from morning until early evening,\u201d Nicole said. \u201cEach family contributed by bringing games and food for the picnic, and by helping with the overall organization.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There were many friendly exchanges and long conversations between old friends and new acquaintances.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/3-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"3\" data-id=\"27167\" data-link=\"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/?attachment_id=27167\" class=\"wp-image-27167\"\/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"2\" data-id=\"27166\" data-link=\"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/?attachment_id=27166\" class=\"wp-image-27166\"\/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/13-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"13\" data-id=\"27168\" data-link=\"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/?attachment_id=27168\" class=\"wp-image-27168\"\/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/6-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"6\" data-id=\"27169\" data-link=\"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/?attachment_id=27169\" class=\"wp-image-27169\"\/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/9-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"9\" data-id=\"27170\" data-link=\"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/?attachment_id=27170\" class=\"wp-image-27170\"\/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/15-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"15\" data-id=\"27171\" data-link=\"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/?attachment_id=27171\" class=\"wp-image-27171\"\/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/8-1-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"8 1\" data-id=\"27173\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/8-1.jpeg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/?attachment_id=27173\" class=\"wp-image-27173\"\/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Gathering\u2019s Impact Continues<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The beauty of this gathering did not end when everyone went home.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe gathering was not an isolated event, but the beginning of even closer connections within the Clonlara community, reinforcing the sense of belonging, support, and friendship among students and families,\u201d Nicole explained.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Several of the students who attended shared their thoughts on the event and its impact:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>L said the gathering strengthened everyone\u2019s bonds and showed that, when there is a collective will, it is possible to accomplish something that once seemed distant.<\/li><li>M highlighted the memorable moment of the dodgeball game, full of unexpected alliances, and the tug-of-war battle. After the gathering, she felt that closeness within the group increased and that the barrier of distance decreased.<\/li><li>T shared that he participated mainly out of the simple and deep desire to meet his friends in person. For him, the gathering was an incredible experience precisely because it transformed online relationships into real connections.<\/li><li>C enjoyed being able to play volleyball and dodgeball and getting to know people he previously had little contact with. After the gathering, he came to value online interactions, such as RPGs, even more.<\/li><li>A described the gathering as unforgettable, especially because it allowed him to meet with friends who had been part of his life for about three years. For him, being able to talk in person and exchange experiences was extremely meaningful.<\/li><li>C remembered the many game-related falls throughout the day\u2014including his own fall, the first one\u2014which ended up becoming a friendly joke among the group.<\/li><li>L commented that, after the event, she began to associate each friend with their personalities outside the online environment, making the relationships even more meaningful.<\/li><li>L shared that one of her most memorable moments was the time capsule, during which students exchanged personal messages. For her, this moment symbolized how each person contributed in some way to her personal growth, making the gathering unforgettable.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the event, participants have continued to build their friendships through online clubs, messaging groups, virtual meetings, collaborative games, and even some additional in-person visits.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/11-1-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-27175\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Tips for Organizing Your Own Clonlara Gathering<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re a Clonlara student feeling inspired by this story, we encourage you to organize a gathering in your country!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some tips to get you started:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Gauge interest:<\/strong> Mention the idea of a gathering to a few friends you\u2019ve met through Clonlara\u2019s clubs or events. See how many people are interested!<\/li><li><strong>Build a team:<\/strong> You don\u2019t have to do it all alone. Find one or two friends who are willing to help you organize the event.<\/li><li><strong>Choose your location and time:<\/strong> A public park in a central location is a great option when the weather allows. Libraries and community centers can work well, too. Pick a date far enough in the future that people have time to plan their travels.<\/li><li><strong>Spread the word:<\/strong> Make a flyer with the date, time, location, and any other details attendees might need to know. Share with other Clonlara students who might be interested!<\/li><li><strong>Make it collaborative:<\/strong> Consider inviting attendees to bring a game, sports equipment, or a dish for a potluck. This keeps it simple for you to plan, and it makes it a true community event.<\/li><li><strong>Welcome everyone:<\/strong> When the event starts, be sure to greet everyone, especially those you don\u2019t know! Introduce new people to one another and make sure siblings and parents feel included.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Afterward, find ways to keep your friendships growing. Share photos and favorite moments from the gathering, work together on a group project, or form a new Clonlara club. And maybe start planning your next in-person event!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/7-1-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-27176\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If you do end up organizing a gathering with your Clonlara friends, we\u2019d love to hear about it! Send your story to <\/em><a href=\"mailto:engagement@clonlara.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>engagement@clonlara.org<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How do you turn online friends into real life community? One group of Clonlara School students decided to take their friendship offline with a gathering at Ibirapuera Park in S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil. Read to the end for tips on organizing your own Clonlara gathering!&nbsp; \u201cIt all started with informal conversations with a few of my [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":22838,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22836","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-student-spotlight"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/hu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22836","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/hu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/hu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/hu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/hu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22836"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/hu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22836\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22837,"href":"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/hu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22836\/revisions\/22837"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/hu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22838"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/hu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22836"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/hu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22836"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clonlara.org\/hu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22836"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}