Brasil

A life-changing experience

• Why was I there?• Location• Ethnic backgrounds• My experience• What I saw?

• Rotary Exchange Student• Left in July/August of 1982

•Our summer/their winter

• Santa Catarina (help·info) ("Saint Catherine"; Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈs taɐ̃� kataˈɾina][1]) is a state in southern Brazil with one of the highest standards of living in Latin America. Its capital is Florianópolis, which mostly lies on the Santa Catarina Island. Neighboring states are Rio Grande do Sul to the south and Paraná to the north. It is bounded on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, and to the west it borders the province of Misiones, Argentina. Most of its inhabitants are descendants of Portuguese, German and Italian immigrants.

• The beaches along the coast of 561 kilometers (348 miles) are a great attraction for tourists visiting the smallest State of the South Region. Florianópolis, the capital, is on an island and is one of the Brazilian cities that receives the most foreign tourists. To the south, Garopaba is the preferred destination of surfers looking for good waves. In the mountain region, São Joaquin is the attraction during winter because of its low temperatures. Blumenau, in the interior of Santa Catarina, is the stage for one of the biggest events of the country: the Oktoberfest, a traditional beer party originated from Germany, that happens in October. The heritage of the Italian, German and Portuguese immigrants can be seen in the architecture and the customs of the state. Joinville is Santa Catarina's largest city.

Videira, Santa Catarina

• My first host family was German• My second host family was Italian• My closest friends were Italian/German• Didn’t look American/Northern Brasilian

• Only 1 person spoke English• Kids go away for high school• Went to a Catholic “trade school”• Learning to be a teacher• Walked to school

• In July it is still cool; needed jacket• December – celebrated Christmas at the

Country Club pool and with a barbecue• January – spend month near Florianopolis

• February – spend week celebrating Mardi Gras

• April/May it starts getting cold (mid 40 degrees)

• June - Flooding in my town/had to fly out

• San Paolo• Contrast between very poor and wealthy• Open markets

• Porto Allegre – much cooler because it’s south

• Gaucho

• Very friendly• Iguana while sun-bathing• Special tea• Mexican novella’s

• Best time – beach