Eliane Steiner in Brazil
We’re featuring alumni around the world from A-Z and, for our second stop, we’re in Brazil with Eliane Steiner, a Programme Analyst in Agroecology.
Hi Eliane! What country are you currently living in, and what motivated your decision to move there?
I have been living in Salvador, Bahia, in northeastern Brazil since January 2024. I moved here for a job opportunity with the talent programme "Swiss Junior Professional Officer at the UN" sponsored by the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs.
Before this, I did not really know much about Salvador and I never thought that I would live here, but it turned out to be a great place to live!
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
Living in Salvador, my days are as varied as the city itself. It’s hard to pin down a "typical" day because there’s always something new happening. Salvador is home to the largest Afro-descendant community in the world, and the African influence is strong in its culture, music, and traditions.
The city is full of free cultural events and concerts, and one of my favourite things to do is go to a roda de samba (samba gathering), which you can find almost any day of the week.
I joined a dance group of dança afro, a traditional Afro-Brazilian dance. It’s been a fun and meaningful way to connect with the local culture while learning more about the African roots that are so present here. And of course, the beaches are amazing, offering everything from snorkelling and surfing to just relaxing by the water.
How has living in Brazil influenced your daily life?
Living in Salvador has changed my life quite drastically.
Salvador is considered one of the most dangerous cities in Brazil and has high levels of poverty. This affects basic things in my daily life that I used to take for granted, like transportation. I mainly biked or used public transit back in Switzerland, here I almost exclusively rely on Uber for safety reasons.
The tropical climate is another big change: it’s warm year-round, which I love, but the sun always sets around 6 p.m., which limits outdoor activities after work—especially given security concerns. Even so, what I love most about living in Salvador is the warmth and openness of the people. Visiting local markets for fresh fruits and vegetables and chatting with the vendors has become one of my favourite things to do here.
Tell us more about your current job! What does your typical workday look like?
I work as a Junior Programme Analyst in Agroecology at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). In Brazil, IFAD mainly partners with state governments through sustainable development projects to improve the livelihoods of rural smallholder farmers.
My role involves supporting the implementation of these projects by providing thematic inputs and general project management support. This also includes visiting the project areas and project participants, to assess how the projects are being implemented on the ground.
Were there specific courses or activities during your time at ETH that have proven to be particularly valuable for you?
There are two courses that I remember best and where I learned important skills for my current role. One of them was called Foundations of Ecosystem Management, where we learned to address the complex nature of environmental challenges through role-playing games. It was here I learned what it meant to consider social aspects of environmental challenges.
Through an in-depth case study, we applied important approaches like context analysis, stakeholder analysis and modelling of natural processes, approaches that I use frequently in my current job. In addition, applying the game-approach, we got trained in soft skills like facilitation and active listening. These skills are immensely valuable in my current role.
Another important course for me was Agroecologists without borders, again a very hands-on practice-oriented course where I learned about the agroecological principle and its role in the international development context.
What is a "typical" word in Brazil?
A "typical" word in Bahia is oxe. It’s my favourite because it captures so many reactions in just one word! Oxe is a versatile expression, which does not really have a direct translation.
It can mean anything from surprise to excitement to disbelief, depending on the tone. You might hear it in all kinds of situations, like when someone is shocked by something or just mildly amused.
What’s your favourite traditional dish?
My favourite dish here is moqueca, which is a traditional seafood stew from Bahia, made with coconut milk, a mix of fish and shrimp, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and fresh herbs. It’s typically served in a clay pot, together with rice and farofa, a toasted cassava flour.
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