Brazil 2015 Photo Slide Show

Enjoy a slide show of captured moments from the Brazil Trip 2015

Global Ursuline Family

Having just completed my first year at Ursuline, I am still learning about the school community. What I will take away from this trip to Piedade is a greater sense of the Ursuline global family. From the common foundation of our schools we have fostered a connection that continues to grow. Family is exactly the word to describe the way I felt connected to the Piedade school community. What a powerful thought considering we got into a plane (well, three)  and a day later arrived in the southern hemisphere where they are currently experiencing late fall, speak a different language and have differing cultural norms.

On our last night I made an observation during dinner that at restaurants there doesn't appear to be a lot of turnover at a table during an evening. The table that you choose is likely to only be occupied by you for that night as time is slowed down for conversation and a relaxed enjoyment of the meal.  Here I got to know more about the teachers that took us out for dinner as well as some of the host families. Through a combination of English and Portuguese, and sometimes hand gestures for additional clarification of meaning, we discovered more about each other. What a rare and amazing treat it was to look through the window at life in Ilheus, Bahia Brazil!

Returning to St. Louis now, I bring ideas for sharing the experience with the school community, and within my own classroom. Most important, perhaps, is the global Ursuline family exprience that will continue to grow and connect us across oceans, continents and hemispheres.

Claudia's Experience

Stopping at a stream in the Atlantic Forest

This experience has been really amazing. We have done so many things that are out of my comfort zone and they have been really fun. We went hiking in a rainforest which was incredible. It was so interesting to hear about how important the forest is and how it is being destroyed. It was an absolutely beautiful sight. There are so many different plants and animals that it's hard to keep track of them all. I really enjoyed the hike and many of the other things we have done. I was uncomfortable at first but once I got to know everyone and we started doing things together, I've had one of the best times ever. It has been so amazing to meet all these new people and make new friends, both with the people I came here with and the people who live here. I am excited to go home but I also get more and more sad to leave as each day passes. I know that I will always remember this trip and the people I spent it with. Trips like these are the perfect way to get out of your comfort zone and do something you never thought you would and really enjoy it. I hope I can be an example through this trip that even the most uncomfortable and scary situations can be some of the best. I was so scared to come here but I am so glad I did and I hope many more people have the opportunity to go on trips like this, especially to Brazil.

Walking over a natural bridge in the Atlantic Forest

New Friends

My time in Brazil has been an absolutely incredible and memorable experience. I have done so many new things and I have also met so many new people. It is going to be insanely hard to leave them. I love my host family so much and I don´t even want to think about leaving them. They have done so much for me and I could not thank them enough for everything. My favorite part about this trip has to be meeting so many new friends. I have made so many new Brazilian friends that I will never forget. I love spending time with Natalia and her friends because we have all created a bond. Spending time with my host little sister is also something I enjoy very much and I will miss. Julia is five years old and she is now the little sister I never had. I play with her in her playroom and we communicate by hand motions. She is a sweet heart. The relationships I have made here are something that I will always treasure. I hope that I stay in touch with my new friends and that our friendships never end.

A hike in Itacaré

It's so crazy to me that we're already coming to the end of our trip. I have had so many amazing experiences here in Brazil that I will never forget. Yesterday, we went on a hike through a rainforest in Itacaré. It was amazing, to say the least. I do not get scared of insects and creatures such as spiders, for example. I was very excited for this hike, because I knew I'd be able to see things that I would never be able to see in Missouri.
 We saw many really cool flowers and plants. One of them was white and it eats insects. Another one was pink and only grows where people walk, so this is how people can find their way back if they're lost. One of my favorite parts of this hike was when we saw a tarantula inside its hole. It started coming out, and it was huge. Some people were scared of this, but I thought it was really interesting to see something like that in nature up close. I also really enjoyed swimming by a waterfall, while taking a break. It's not everyday that one gets to say they swam in the water of a Brazilian rainforest. We finished our hike after about 4 hours, and we were all very exhausted. This was one of my favorite days of our trip, because this was something I would never be able to experience anywhere near where I live.

After Zumba Class

It’s hard to believe we have only been here for almost a week. It seems like we have been here for much longer with the things we do each day. Even after being here for almost a week we still try a hand full of new things each day and learn something new about the city or culture of Brazil. Everyone has gotten a lot closer to each other and more comfortable with speaking. Last night the group played water polo with a class and then walked to a burger place to eat dinner.

Making Brigadeiros

I don't like burgers so I ordered a chicken sandwich. It was nothing like I expected. It was shredded with corn on it and I loved it. Today, we watched more presentations from the younger grades comparing our city and their city and also Bueno Aires. After the presentations the UA group joined a Zumba class which was very tiring but very fun. After Zumba we learned to make brigadeiro, which is a chocolate candy that looks somewhat like a truffle. We spent the rest
of the day joining our host students in their last two classes: biology and writing. Joining them in classes is not as exciting as the other things we have done but it is interesting to see their class environment and compare to our. I am excited to see what the rest of our trip has in store.

Ursuline Love written in Brigadeiros

Makala Jones

The True Meaning of Global Education

Kevin's Blog - 6.2.2015

Piedade has impressed with how they have integrated the concept of Global Education in to their pedagogy. Every grade level has incorporated lessons into their curriculum. As a means of displaying this knowledge, they have developed creative vehicles of publishing their research and understanding.

Jorge Amado and Mark Twain are on the right of picture.

Today we were treated to several plays that highlight both Brazilian and American literature. The first play, written by the their students, brought together the characters of Mark Twain's and Jorge Amado's novels. They highlight some of the similarities. Both of these legendary authors are institutions in their own right, but they share a style that brings to life the uniqueness and color of the people and places of Bahia and the early American West.

Tom Canty (the pauper) and  Edward Tutor (the prince)

They also performed an adaptation of The Prince and the Pauper.  While all of this was done in preparation for our arrival, it was great for the students that were involved and the Piedade students that were in the audience. With the performance of The Prince and the Pauper, they accentuated the themes social class and justice that are important in both Brazil and the United States.

Clearly a herculean effort was undertaken to bring these performances together. American stories were read. Themes and concepts were discussed. Manuscripts were composed. Lines were rehearsed and memorized. Dances were choreographed and practiced. Costumes were designed and created. Dozens of students were organized. I was blown away.

UA students hanging with Jorge Amado.