Students (photo gallery)

Raissa Dupuis

“It’s really cool, how none of us really came to Brazil as friends and, now, we all get along so great. I am having fun.” (Journal entry July 20, 2006)

“Thursday I went to Tiradentes to see a concert in the church. The church was so Baroque... placas recortadas, pinjantes, estipites.... the whole works. Also the sculpture in the church was very dramatic and Baroque. I had Italian dinner... goooood. We went to a monk’s castle... It was amazing. I wish I could have bottled the smell. I was able to videotape him making lace. I wish I could learn. It was so incredible.”( Journal entry, July 24, 2006)

“I went with Carlos Magno today to Prados. Unbelievable.... the work he does is so amazing.” (Journal entry July 6, 2006)

“Today we went to Meg’s country house. It was such a great day. We relaxed, played volleyball and had a awesome lunch. It was just really nice to be outside in the country all day.” (Journal entry August 2, 2006)

“Field trip yesterday to Mariana and Ouro Preto and then a pilgrimage site in Congonhas. It was a really long day, but we saw tons of structures. The churches were awesome. My favorite was the Church of the Clergy in Mariana. The facade and floor plan was the most beautiful to me and also the interior.” (Journal entry August 6, 2006)

“We went to a fieldtrip – more awesome churches. The architecture is so beautiful in this area. It is so amazing to be surrounded by it. I wonder if the people here know how lucky they are to be around all of this churches, craftsmenship and tradition. (Journal Entry August 13, 2006)

“I am getting really excited to go home, but I am getting sad to leave. I feel like I have finally got the hang of this communication thing! I communicate really well with Eliane. In fact, today she told me my Portuguese was really good! It made me fell good.” (Journal entry August 14, 2006)

Vanessa Sershen

The study abroad trip to Brazil was a chance of a lifetime. It was such a wonderful experience to see a culture and country so different from my own for six weeks. The places I have seen and the friends I have made has made this trip priceless.

 

Alma Pacheco

My trip to Brazil was my first trip outside the USA and was a great experience being on my own. I had an excellent host family which I spent most of my time with them. I had the greatest opportunity to visit the cities of Brasília, Niteroi, Pampulha, and Rio de Janeiro to study and observe the architecture of Oscar Niemeyer. The food was good, especially the pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread), Guaraná (Brazilian soda made with a fruit from the Amazon), and Romeo and Juliet (White Cheese with a Brazilian guava paste). I experienced the culture, the people, my first train ride on a 19th-century steam engine and made new friends. Thank You Brazil for a great adventure.

 

Clinton Cowan

“My host mom is so nice. We don’t understand each other but she talks a lot anyway. She uses her hands to express herself though which is very helpful! She is a lot of fun! Everyone is very warm and welcoming.” (Journal entry July 9, 2006)

“...Rio, here we come!....I can’t believe we are here! Today we got to go to Sugar Loaf. It was beautiful. Walking around looking at all views of the ocean and beaches, it was amazing! I can’t get over how much of a contrast there is between poor and rich areas here.” (Journal entry July 11, 2006)

“Tonight we went to Tiradentes to a concert featuring a pianist and cellist from the United States (Nancy Rude and Arial Warback). The concert was held at the Cathedral of Santo Antonio in Tiradentes. It was a great concert. I really enjoyed the music. I love listening to the piano; so, I was happy. The setting was awesome though. The cathedral is so beautiful. It is decorated extremely in the baroque style. The ornate interior blended much to the overall atmosphere and ambience of the concert. It was an enjoyable evening.” (Journal entry July 20, 2006)

“What a relaxing day! Meg invited all of us to go to her country house. It was so nice. She cooked a huge lunch! We lay around in hammocks, played volleyball; it was a nice day. Meg is so nice. .....we watched old family videos, sang and learned how to belly dance and samba. .... Bebeth also told us stores about her college days. She was something. She is an amazing woman. .... I think she is perhaps one of the most amazing women I have met and I have the utmost respect for her.” (Journal entry August 2, 2006)

 

Lisa Cordova

“The views of Sao Joao are wonderful from my host house. Raissa and I are lucky to be in such a wonderful family in this gorgeous house.” (Journal entry July 15, 2006)

“Today was so beautiful. We went to a friend’s of Elizabeth called Edimar. His house was absolutely gorgeous. I was modeled after a medieval castle with a tower and the structures are completely made of stone with iron gates, fountains and sculptures. The gardens were absolutely breathtaking. I am so glad we went. I wish I could have just captured the aroma, everything was so fragrant.” (Journal entry July 22, 2006)

“Today was the last day of classes in the Winter Arts Festival of the UFSJ; an overall success. I really enjoyed it. I am glad I did it.” (Journal entry July 27, 2006)

 

Angela Simental

I never imagined that I would travel to Brazil. At first, it was scary because I did not know how to speak Portuguese, although it is similar to Spanish, but it was just a matter of training the ear.

I must say that the most breathtaking scenery I have seen in my life was Rio at 3 a.m. Lisa, Amy, Clinton and I were sitting on the beach trying to avoid the cold water to reach our feet. The moon was kind of orange and yellow and the reflection of it extended to the water as far as we were, and it felt as if you could almost touch it. Rio was very relaxing and I think it was a great trip because I got to know everybody, especially Mango!

I think that five-weeks in Sao-Joao del-Rei was too much just because it is small. Maybe staying in Ouro Preto would be a good alternative. On the other hand, I met a lot of great people like Meg and Edimar; I had the time of my life in Meg’s house!

I love my Brazilian family! Raquel and Jonas were extremely nice and hospitable. Raquel and I really became friends and we have kept in contact. If I felt homesick or sad or just really happy, I knew I could talk to her and sometimes we would stay up till two or three in the morning just talking. I would totally recommend my host family, but I must remain their favorite!

In terms of the academics, I think it is great to learn in the classroom but it is even better to go out and see the actual works of art. I learn more that way and you become more familiar with the subject.

Overall, I had a great time and hopefully I can go back before I graduate at least just to visit Raquel. Thank you so much for everything because it was an unforgettable experience!

 

Rachel Zimmerman

The study abroad was a wonderful cultural and artistic experience. São João del-Rei is nothing like New Mexico and we were submersed in art and history. I made friends for life and had tremendous fun trying to communicate. I never wanted to leave.

 

Molly Carn

“I sat in a little park today to write earlier and it was surrounded by colorful colonial homes, lush vegetation, and the sounds of people clip clopping on the cobblestones streets.” (Journal entry July 15, 2006)

“I love the hospitality and openness of Brazilians. Every time I go to Meg’s house, I feel at home. Walking around, everyday I find something new to look at, whether it’s an angle on a wall to a facial expression. I am so glad I can run here. It has been a busy week!” (Journal entry July 20, 2006)

“I noted today to Bebeth and Nick that a person could write an entire paper on how the five senses are so stimulated here in Sao Joao del Rei and basically everywhere I have been in Brazil so far. It has changed me, I hope permanently. I want to understand this Baroque mindset more. The way everything is so hinged on tradition and passing from generation to generation those cultural traditions. I feel so passionate about it.” (Journal entry August 5, 2006)

 

Amy Archibeque & Allyson Rocks

 

Nick Naughton & Jose de Oliveira

 

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