Universatario de Itauna

Just left one of the countrys best universities.
The fees are competetive and its self funded but manages to give 3000 scholarships and pay the lecturers the best rates going.
There are nine faculties and 48 degrees on offer.
Each lecturer has to have a phd amongst other things to get a job there.

Things learned at the university:
Scholarships are for the poorer people in the commuinty, entry tests dont exsist so real people get a chance.
The university will provide its teachers with any equipment they request within 24 hours.
The university is spread over 100 million meters.
Relationships between lecturers and students is fantastic.

Visiting School

We visited Itaunas by the looks of it best private school.
The school is undescribable in how impressive it is.
The school is like a village and has so many sports facilities from pools to pilates studios.
It caters for 18000 students from 3 to 18 years.

What I have learned about this prestigous school:
English is a language every student and teacher aspires to teach
Prayers are said daily and the oppertunity to pray is available to all
The student teacher relationship is affectionate and loving

Departure day

The morning of departure has finally arrived. To think within 24 hours we will be there in Brazil, ready for the adventures and new experiences. While I am away, I will try to write this blog up as much as I can, to let you know what's been happening. I look forward to meeting the people of Brazil and learning more about their culture and meeting new friends. I will write more soon.

Almost Packed

Well I am just taking a break from packing my bags. I dont know why packing is so difficult. Choosing what to take should be straight forward. I know what I need and I know what I want to take but still it seems difficult!
I keep reminding myself we are not off backpacking on this trip and that I will have the oppertunity to go to a shop which will stock what I need!
At work we took a google earth tour around some of the towns we will be visiting and this really made it sink in that I will be there on those very streets soon.
I suppose I had best get back to deciding on what I am going to take!

Bags Packed, passport ready - Brazil here we come!

The bags are almost packed, last minute items to buy tomorrow, then early saturday morning, we will be bleary eyed and ready to start our journey to Brazil. 

a bit daunting as we only know a  little Portuguese, but ready for the challenge ahead.  Looking forward to meeting new friends, but for me also seeing the team who came to see us last year.

We will be keeping the blog up to date as best we can while we are there to show all the places we visit, the people we meet and the new things that we learn.

Tchau for now
Andrea x

Brazil, here we come!

My first blog ever. I'm so excited. I can't believe how fast this process has been and to think that this time next week we'll actually be in Brazil. I am sure that this experience will be unforgettable for us all.

Our final Portuguese lesson!

Last night was our final Portuguese lesson and the last time the team will meet up before our early flight next Saturday! The lesson was very useful as we learnt words for different foods and drinks! Along with other useful phrases. Our Portuguese teacher, Andrea, has been fantastic and we are all really grateful for her time, effort and expertise! Let's just hope we can do her proud whilst we are there! 

So only 9 more sleeps until our adventure begins. Best get organised and that suitcase packed! 

Tchau....for now!

Meet the team!

From L-R Team Members for GSE Brazil 2013 pictured with District Governor Robin Mason:

 Liz Tweedy, Kat Elliott, Andrea Brocklebank, Lianne Taylor-Redman and Julie Wass.

Last night we attended the Rotary District Council meeting at the Holiday Inn, Doncaster. We had our first photo as a team and met Robin Mason the district governor from Rotary Club of Humberside. The team found this easier than the previous evening as we didn't need to do our presentation which they all did the previous evening. Unfortunately I was unable to make the presentation however from the feedback they received they did brilliantly!

It's three weeks and two days until we fly out to Brazil we are all so excited and have already got so much out of this experience so far for example we are trying our very best to learn Portuguese or Enguese as I like to call it. We had another lesson today and I was surprised how much I have learnt and am able to understand- I'll never be fluent but I will try!

Tchau

The Countdown Has Begun!

Last night we delivered our presentation to the Cleethorpes Rotary Club and guests from other Rotary Clubs. It was great to see some of  the Rotarian's I have already met again and also to meet new inspiring people. Everyone was very supportive of our team and gave kind words of advice and support.

Delivering the presentation served as a reminder that we have a lot of work to do on the study exchange and that we will be up in front of lots of people many times, I am looking forward to the day when that is not nerve wracking any more!

I brought along my manager Liam, Liz brought her partner and manager, Kat brought her headteacher and mother and Andrea brought her partner. It was good to spend the evening with the people who have supported us in the preparations to the Study Exchange and for them to learn more about Rotary and the important work they do.

Lianne was unable to make the meeting and it just goes to show we have become a good team as we certainly missed her presence.

For me our journey has begun with the starting point delivering our presentation last night. From here we have a mix of meetings and Portuguese lessons before we head off. Speaking of heading off it is only 24 days away and I am getting more excited by the day.

The next meeting we are attending in our preperation for our visit is at the Rotary District Council Meeting tonight over in Doncaster. Thursday we are over in Sheffield for a Portuguese lesson. This is all good practise for managing our busy schedules in Brazil!

If the lesson goes well maybe we will give you a taster of our Portugese language skills!