Enjoy a slide show of captured moments from the Brazil Trip 2015
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Thursday, June 11, 2015
Brazil 2015 Photo Slide Show
Global Ursuline Family

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.
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Claudia's Experience
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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.
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Walking over a natural bridge in the Atlantic Forest |
New Friends
A hike in Itacaré
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
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After Zumba Class |
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Making Brigadeiros |
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.
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Ursuline Love written in Brigadeiros |
Makala Jones
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
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.
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.
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.
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. |
Tom Canty (the pauper) and Edward Tutor (the prince) |
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. |
Exploring the St. Louis - Ilheus Connection
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Dancing the Samba |
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Gooey Butter Cake, recipe at left |
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Abará, classic dish from Ilheus |
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Sydney and Cristina checking the St. Louis trivia facts. |
Several class presentations from the Elementary school grades followed. They covered American food packaging; a comparison of our school to theirs; a comparison of our cities including photographs of very similar sites and landmarks in both; a comparison of the Mississippi to rivers in Brazil; a comparison of the native peoples in the St. Louis area to the native peoples of the Ilheus region; and finally an exploration of the Blues as an influence on Brazilian music and its origins in America. In every classroom there was an opportunity to taste, watch, listen and otherwise participate in the presentations.
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1st graders after sharing a dance with us |
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Learning about St. Louis vs. Ilheus after enjoying fresh cocoa fruit |
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A spread of traditional native Brazilian foods, including root vegetables not found in the US and tapioca flour |
The afternoon was spent touring the city of Ilheus which ended at a trip to the marketplace. By evening our bags were full of souvenirs and our minds full of even more valuable mementos to carry back with us.
June 2, 2015 - Esparza
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Students Performing American Music |
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Music in the courtyard |
Sidenote: I was just told we might get Mexican food tonight!!!! I miss my mom's food so much!
Monday, June 1, 2015
Experiences in Brazil
This trip has been very interesting so far. It's hard to explain. Everything is so different from St. Louis and it is really hard to adjust, but it has been really fun. Yesterday we went river rafting which was really fun. I have done something like that before but I was still really nervous. We went zip-lining again but this time we went into the water which was really cool. I really enjoy doing group activities because I feel like I am getting to know the other St. Louis people as well as the Brazilian students. I am really excited to see what the next few days have in store because there is so much that I want to do before we leave.
One thing that I have been very willing to try is the food. I am always scared to try new foods but I have tried a lot. And some of it was very good. Their pizza is different from America but really good and they have a lot of different things to try. I tried coconut water and fresh coconut even though I have never liked coconut and this was no different, but I am glad I tried it.
I have never been this far away from home and have never done anything even similar to this experience, especially without my family, so this is very difficult for me but I have enjoyed it so far. The language barrier makes things more complicated but the students and teachers actually speak English pretty well. I can't wait to go home and see my friends and family but I know that I will be sad to leave because this is such a beautiful country and I have already had so many great experiences.
-Claudia Peth
One thing that I have been very willing to try is the food. I am always scared to try new foods but I have tried a lot. And some of it was very good. Their pizza is different from America but really good and they have a lot of different things to try. I tried coconut water and fresh coconut even though I have never liked coconut and this was no different, but I am glad I tried it.
I have never been this far away from home and have never done anything even similar to this experience, especially without my family, so this is very difficult for me but I have enjoyed it so far. The language barrier makes things more complicated but the students and teachers actually speak English pretty well. I can't wait to go home and see my friends and family but I know that I will be sad to leave because this is such a beautiful country and I have already had so many great experiences.
-Claudia Peth
My experience
Kylie Dancing |
~Kylie Wright
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