Welcome back... I hope you had a reflective thanksgiving...

 STCC students I hope you went by on Nov. 18th at the Union campus to see the study abroad panel. I have been through these information sessions and they have soooooooooo much good information. These sessions have information on the "Do's and Don'ts" of travel abroad.
If you want more information go to https://deit.southwest.tn.edu/international/. This site has the selections criteria as well as various forms that you will need to complete the STCC International Studies process. If you have facebook, You should join the STCC International Studies facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Studies-Southwest-Tennessee-Community-College/163575673301....

Tchau

Fresh of the press... Gilman Scholarship Information

What is the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program?

The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards for undergraduate study abroad and was established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000. This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide.

Who Should Apply

The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are planning to study abroad. The program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting undergraduates who might otherwise not participate due to financial constraints.

When to Apply

The Gilman Scholarship Program accepts applications two times per year. Ideally, students should begin their application one full semester before their study abroad program is scheduled to begin.

About the Sponsor

The Gilman Scholarship Program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries to promote friendly, sympathetic, and peaceful relations.

Without the Gilman scholarship, My trip to Brasil would have been nearly impossible.. Don't wait go to your international studies department and ask for more information about the Gilman Scholarship. You can also visit the website at http://www.iie.org/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program. This website was a great tool for me during the whole process. You can find information on deadlines, Follow-on Project ideas, Testimonials from Gilman recipients, etc, etc, etc.. Over 2,300 scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded this academic year for U.S. citizen undergraduates to study abroad. Award amounts will vary depending on the length of study and student need with the average award being approximately $4,000.

Program Facts

Year of Inception: 2001
Gilman Alumni: 9,796
Countries of Study: 125
U.S. Institutions: 950

CLICK ME! I'm life changing

The first of many "photo bombs"

First look at Fortaleza, Brasil.. In the airport

Beira Mar for dinner with the study abroad group

The group trying to use their limited Portuguese skills to order food

First night. About to explore Fortaleza

Old church in Dragao do Mar

Capoeiristas em Beira Mar

Praia America do Sol.... Beach

Brasilian flag

Morro Branco

The hills are alive.. They are made totally of sand.. All different colors too... Muito linda

Riding a dune-buggy in Morro Branco.. The wind in my hair... LOL

One of the many residents of Morro Branco.

Paradise

Even Brasil has wind power.. U.S. take notice

This is sand skiing basically... So much fun in Morro Branco

So picturesque!!

First Things first... Where and what is Brazil?????

Brazil, or as the Brazilians say it, BRASIL, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people. It is the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas and the largest lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country in the world, according to wikipedia. Bordered by countries on its North, West and South sides and by the Atlantic Ocean on the East Brazil/Brasil has one of the largest import and export industries in the world...

CLIMATE: Warm, HOT, HOTTER, HOTTEST and 2 degrees from HELL

 Just kidding! Well.. Not really! My Brasilian experience was a warm one. During the months of May and June, Brasilians consider these months the winter months in Brasil. All that means is instead of 100 degree days, the days are 85-90 degrees..

FOOD: Everything is sweeter in Brasil... Bananas are smaller but much sweeter.. I could literally cut a coconut off a tree and drink the coconut water. Brasilian fruit are literally the best fruit I have ever tasted. The meals are also different from the U.S.. Brasilian breakfast is really small. Usually bread, cheese, fruit and maybe a meat. Usually accompanied with some milk(leite) and coffee(cafezinho). Lunch(almocar) is VERY large in Brasil. Usually with rice(arroz), some kind of chicken(frango) or beef(carne), beans(feijoes), bread(pao), batatas(potatoes) and some kind of juice(suco). Dinner(jantar) is usually very light with a sandwich(sandwiche) or left-overs from lunch.

MUSIC: Music is a huge part of Brasilian Life... Genres such as Forro, Samba, Axe, Funk and the world famous Bossanova. If there is music playing, Brasilians are usually sway and singing to the words of the songs. Unlike in the U.S. brasilians seem to know all of the words to all of the songs.. This was kind of surprising. 

Ate mais tarde TRANSLATION Until later..... Tchau ... Bye

Oi!!!!! Boa noite!!!!

Hello all and welcome to my blog about my study abroad experience in Brasil... Though I've been back in the country for about 4 months now, Brasil is still on my mind. This blog will be random posts about my experiences and resources that could be beneficial to you if you want to study abroad..... Until the next post.... TCHAU...xoxox