Brazil: Reflections

1. Brazil: Reflections UDM Students Speak!

2. The Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer)statue in Rio de Janiero is iconic of Brazil and provides an amazing view… …but, ask any student returning from Brazil where the heart of Brazil resides; they’ll tell you ‘in Salvador, Bahia’. Lara Wasner, UDM’s Brazil program director/co-founder

3. Why Brazil?“Brazil shares with the US a history of enslavement and ensuing racial injustice. Bahia has a major importance with preserved instances of African-derived culture, and Candomble - a form of religion traceable to Africa.” Dr. Stephanie Mitchem Religious Studies Chair (2005) Brazil program cofounder.

4. Why Bahia? Salvador, Bahia was the center of Brazil’s slave trade. Bahia still holds “authentic” African traditions, including cultures, customs and religion. Religious syncretism is practiced: Candomble merges Catholicism with African-centered religious traditions. The religion of Candomble now thrives in Bahia after remaining underground during and after slavery.

5. Reflections:“This is an experience that everyone should have at least once in life! These types of programs allow students to identify with people from around the world, teaching patience when it comes to communication -- be it a language barrier or a difference in gestures.” Alexis Dallas Liberal Arts

6. “Brazil’s economy ranks highest among all South American countries with large and growing agricultural, mining, manufacturing and service sectors. Though this is true, there is still a great inequality in the distribution of wealth in Brazil.” Alexis Dallas Liberal Arts

7. “My visit to Brazil taught me that slavery was global. One similar factor between the U.S. and Brazil is a shared history of forced labor through slavery. Slaves arrived in Brazil to work on the sugar cane plantations to increase profits for the Portuguese landowners.” Hawanya Garrett Liberal Arts Sugar Loaf Mountain, Rio

8. “Pelourinho” is a Portuguese word that means whipping post. “I visited the historical city of Pelourinho, in Salvador, Bahia where slave trading took place.” Hawanya Garrett Liberal Arts

9. After the slaves were brought to Brazil, many were separated from their original tribes or groups. Yet they were able to find similarities in their language, beliefs, customs and culture. They combined these to form Candomble. a blend of religious traditions from three main African nations and their micro-cultures: the Angolan, the Jeje (Nigerian) and the Ketu. The language was primarily influenced by the Yoruba. Jackie Barnes, Nursing

10. The music is unique to the country, with its adoptions of African and Latin instruments. Participating in a dance and music workshop gave me an appreciation for the pride that Brazilians have in the arts that are unique to this part of the world, and familiarized me to the Samba and Capoeira. Eric Dinan-Payton

11. Art can also be seen in the country’s architecture and religious structures. We visited some very magnificent churches and cathedrals that had intricate carvings, gold gilded walls and fresco paintings of angels on their ceilings.” Eric Dinan-Payton

12. “Brasil is the future. Its natural resources tower over those of most other countries. It is energy efficient, and despite its vast oil reserves, 90% of cars built here can run on sugar-based ethanol. The Brasilian government predicts that – for the first time in its history – Brasil will achieve energy equilibrium, exporting as much as it imports.” Jessica Thieda Liberal Arts

13. “If intelligent conservation efforts were put into place, the USA could immediately reduce energy consumption by at least 20%. At our hotel in Brasil, when the key is out of the slot everything shuts off. What a simple concept that both energy and money.” Jessica Thieda Liberal Arts

14. “What most impresses me the most are Brazil’s social movements – and the active roles women play as drivers of change, particularly in the MST Landless Workers Movement.” Robert Lee Birt Liberal Arts VP-Detroit Ch. Tuskegee Airmen

15. The MST Movement is the largest social movement in Latin America. It is an outgrowth of Liberation Theology. Less than 3% of Brazil’s population owns 2/3 of the land. Since 1985 MST has peacefully won land titles for more than 250,00 families in 1,600 settlements.

16. “The Brazilian government says that unproductive land should be used for a larger social purpose. In the US, we’ve all but destroyed the family farm. Most farms in the US are now owned by banks and insurance companies.” Bob Birt

17. "Brazil is a hotbed of activity in every avenue -- from business to social change. As a business student, this is one of the best experiences I can have in order to enter the global marketplace." Halima Salaam pictured with Shayla Winfrey Int’l Business

18. "I thought that nothing could possibly top the lectures and experiences our first week in Salvador. Then we met the kids at the samba schools and learned how samba contributes to the economy. I kept thinking, 'Wow! This experience just gets richer every day'." Stephney Fulkerson Education pictured with a new friend in Santo Amaro

19. Samba schools help sustain local communities. Corporations sponsor local samba schools, which, in turn: Provide before and after school education. Fund job training and provide work for persons in the community. Supplement athletic programs. Fund social programs.

20. "Being a single mother with a full time job‐ taking a semester off was not an option! When I stumbled upon UDM’s two-week program in Brazil, I was elated.  I had no idea how fulfilling this trip was going to be. It was simply the best cultural experience of my life.” Patrice Harlan Legal Administration

21. "Brazil lent a different perspective on life in many ways. Everyone on our journey lent to the learning experience, from the lectures to the everyday kindnesses extended to us along the way." Karishma Guha Nursing

22. PICTURE YOURSELF IN BRAZIL! JOIN US SUMMER 2010 STUDENT & ALUMNI PROGRAMS FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS! CALL Lara at 313-993-1191

23. HOW CAN ALUMNI SUPPORT STUDY ABROAD? • BE A “TITAN TRAVELER”: Join a UDM study abroad program in progress, traveling where UDM students are studying -OR- • Support a student from home.

24. ALUMNI TRAVEL BENEFITS • Travel at a discounted rate for ten days with other UDM alumni and students. (Discount applies to non-academic credit packages only.) • Support a student while you travel: add 5, 10 or 15% of your program fee to supplement a student studying abroad in your destination. Your donation is tax deductible. • Experience language and cultural immersion, learn from experts in their fields, participate the same scheduled excursions and workshops available to UDM students. • Create meaningful connections that last a lifetime!

25. CHANGE A LIFE FROM HOME • Sponsor a table during International Education Week luncheon ($200, $500 or $1,000 ). • Pay for a student’s travel visa or passport ($150). • Make a general donation to support a student studying abroad. • Plan and participate in a study abroad fundraiser throughout the year. • Hold an alumni benefit event at a local venue you own or operate.

26. BECOME A TITAN TRAVELER • Contact the director of the program you want to attend or support: • Summer 2010:African Heritage Tour of Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, Bahia Brazil – 2010: June 16-26, 2010 (date/price TBA) Program director: Lara Wasner (313) 993-1191 or wasnerle@udmercy.edu • Summer 2011:Art & History in Volterra & Tuscany, Italy – (date/price TBA) Program director: Sarah Stever (313) 993-1099 or steversn@udmercy.edu • Summer 2012:Classic Theater in Greece – (date/price TBA) Program director: Art Beer (313) 993-3270 or beeral@udmercy.edu

27. ATTENTION UDM ALUMNI:JOIN UDM’S SUMMER STUDY PROGRAM In SALVADOR, BAHIA, BRAZIL (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) with excursions to CACHOEIRA & RIO DE JANIERO June 16-26, 2010 $2,900 ALUMNI SUPPORT RATE (INCLUDES 10% TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO SUPPORT A UDM STUDENT STUDYING IN BRAZIL) 10-day AFRICAN HERITAGE TOUR includes: Roundtrip airfare 4-star hotel accommodations Two meals per day Ground transportation in Brazil Attendance at all scheduled lectures, language courses, arts & culture workshops, religious site visits and excursions that are part of UDM’s Study Abroad program. Call Lara Wasner at 313-993-1191