Globalization, Transnationalism and Cultural Identity

food experiences of Brazilian Au Pairs abroad

Abstract

This article explores the influence of globalization on the mobility and food practices of transnational migrants, with a specific focus on Brazilian au pairs. Using a multi-sited methodological approach, the research combines ethnographic observation of four groups on Facebook and WhatsApp with semi-structured interviews conducted with three Brazilian au pairs. The analysis focuses on cultural exchange and the challenges these women face in adapting their eating habits in new contexts. It finds that while the experience of being an au pair can promote cultural integration, it can also generate alienation and conflict, especially in relation to food practices. The article also highlights how the presence of Brazilian food in markets and restaurants outside Brazil facilitates cultural connections, and contributes to the preservation and adaptation of food traditions.