Tis the season to spread holiday spirit all around the world

Just how big is Pirate Nation? It's 4,552 miles to get from São Paulo, Brazil to Greenville, NC. It's 4,900 miles to get from Vrsac, Serbia to ECU.
 
Both locations are home to two special Pirate student-athletes.  
 
When he's not swimming in the states, sophomore swimmer Victor Santos, calls Brazil home. The holiday season is one where family time is treasured, and Santos values his opportunity to return home for a brief visit with his older sister, younger brother and his parents, Antonio Luiz dos Santos Filho and Ana Paula Correa Martins dos Santos.
 
"They are the most important people in my life and being able to go home for Christmas and spending a few days with them is my favorite part of the year," said Santos.
 
The transition between countries was smooth for Santos, thanks to the help of his teammates. "They took me in and still help me today with certain things if I need it."
 
In the pool, Santos competes in the 100 butterfly, 100 freestyle and 50 freestyle for ECU. In São Paulo, however, competitive swimming is not popular. "When I was younger, my mom had to drive me about 30-40 minutes to practice. Once I was about 16, I would ride the subway."
 
Over the holidays, student-athletes have to strike a balance between maintaining their skills and conditioning, while also taking time to enjoy themselves. When venturing home over winter break, Santos makes sure to keep up with practice and other responsibilities. "I have to take it one day at a time and keep thinking what I can do to be better."`
 
The typical travel home for Santos includes a drive to Raleigh, flight to Miami and an eight-hour flight from Miami to São Paulo. After a full day of traveling, Santos is able to reunite with his family, dog and beloved Brazilian food.
 
"My entire family comes to my house, we eat dinner at around 10 p.m. and then before midnight we say a prayer together followed by exchanging gifts. Everyone leaves around 1:30 a.m."
 
Victor Santos is not alone as an international student-athlete at ECU. Dimitri Spasojevic, freshman forward on the men's basketball team, is from Vrsac, Serbia. He is the oldest son to parents Milomir and Dragana and has one younger brother.
 
Growing up in Serbia, Spasojevic shared a big home with his grandparents and his immediate family. His younger brother, Damian, is eleven years old and is very excited to have his older brother playing basketball at ECU. "I talk on the phone every day with him. He loves basketball, loves everything about it," said Spasojevic.
 
Due to the schedule of basketball season, Spasojevic is unable to travel home and spend time with his family this Christmas. "It makes me miss my family, but I have a couple guys that invited me to their house which is pretty amazing because it will be a good opportunity for me to go there and celebrate with my teammates."
 
This will be Spasojevic's first Christmas in the states. The basketball team has celebrated the holiday by singing Christmas carols to children at the James and Connie Maynard Children's Hospital.
 
"We spent some time with the kids and they really appreciated us coming. We had a good time," said Spasojevic. "It was my first time visiting, it was amazing."
 
As for the caroling, Spasojevic felt comfortable with Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. However, lyric sheets were definitely helpful for the other Christmas melodies.
 
Whether it's at home for the holidays or celebrating with teammates who have become like family, these ECU international student-athletes have made the season merry and bright.