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Below are the 20 most recent posts to our blog.  To check out our full blog click here!

  • Elvis is Alive!! (And Interning in Brazil) - by Elvis Diaz

    7/8/200911:31:25 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Brazil

    Elvis w/host brothers & friends in Brazil

    -Excerpts contributed by Elvis Diaz (Cultural Embrace's participant - Internship in Brazil; April 2009-April 2010)

    Participant background:     On April 3, 2009, 19 years old, Elvis Diaz left Long Beach, CA to embark on a ‘gap year’ break to intern in Curitiba, Brazil. Here are some excerpts from his personal blog that he would like to share with us. Elvis, like so many young adventurers, are taking advantage of ‘gap breaks’ to enhance their personal, professional, and academic development.

    Sunday, April 9: Ola!! Boa Dia!! My first words in Portugese. I have arrived in Curitiba! I was picked up by Rafaela, my local coordinator with Cultural Embrace. She was kind and drove me to the house of the host family. After an hour drive we arrived and I met my host brother Everson (Ever), and he gifted me a pair of Havianna's (flip flops) and the keys to the apartment. He was the only one there from the family and explained to me that it would only be him and his other brother Helerton (Mano) living in the apartment. Their father stays for about 5 days out of the month at the apartment.

    The next day we went out to the Praza Ukriana= Ukranian Plaza, Curitiba has a large population of Ukrainian immigrants as well as Polish, Italian, and German. He showed me around the city, the beautiful Curitiba Cathedral that is about 316 years old!! Extremly beautiful!!!

    Thursday, April 19: It has been awhile since I have written anything. I just have been busy settling in…I will give you the details about my internship later. For now, let’s talk Churrascaria, and about the people I am surrounded by...

    Churrascaria is the most delicious BBQ I have ever had. Helerton aka Mano, is my host brother, had a bbq with some of his friends from his college. We were all hanging out, it wzs tough trying to communicate with my limited Portuguese, but with Spanish and hand gestures, we managed.

    Mano is kind, and has a great sense of humor and very patient when we are trying to communicate. We always talk about futbol. He is a devoted Sao Paulo fan and I am an Atletico de Parana fan! I was told by my brother the 2 things I shouldn’t talk in public are politics and futbol! It is that intense!!

    Veri, Ever's girlfriend, is pretty and VERI nice! She is a nutritionist and recently graduated from her university and is now taking an exam to receive her credentials to work in northern Brazil by the Bahia area.

    Ever is really down to earth. Since the moment I got here he has always been thoughtful and going out of his way to help me get settled in. He has even cut out labels in Portuguese to put around the house. It was so cool Cozinha= Kitchen, Copo= Glass, ...

    I really can't say much more than that, I have only been here for about 2 weeks. In any exchange program this time is considered the "honeymoon period." But I feel I was placed with the right family. Honestly I always feel good going home everyday. Each day there is something new to learn and I grow closer with them.

    Tuesday, June 19: I thought I should spend some time explaining my internship. I am working at a Brazilian education exchange company. I am charge of all new course enrollments into the 16 different offices in Brazil. I will have to contact our international partners, make sure that the invoices are correct, and that the student's accommodation is correct, and they have all the correct visa documents in a timely manner. I also have to make sure that the finance department has all of our sales and invoices in order from all 16 branches.

    Not bad for someone that just turned 19 ;-)

    The first week I was just observing, but man there was much to learn. From my first day on the job I told my supervisor, that I am here to learn and I want to learn. I don't mind criticism! I love it because it lets me know what I am doing wrong and what I need to work on, so that I don't do it again.

    For example: I almost send a student to the wrong continent!! I got confused with the names which were spelled exactly the same way but going to different school at the same time. One was supposed to go England and the other the Australia. I mixed up the names and I sent the flight details to the wrong student!!

    Luckily our partner abroad noticed the confusion and made me aware of it. First lesson PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL!! I also learned all of the visas issued by the U.S., Australian, U.K. and Canadian governments. Keep in mind, this is my first real desk job! But I really enjoy it, there is something new to be learned everyday, and I am learning how to think on my feet more effectively. In a way to improve my position and get more experience, I am rotating positions with everyone in the department. That pretty much covers my internship duties.

  • Cultural Embrace's Tribute to Michael Jackson - The 'King' of Entertainment and Humanitarian Efforts

    7/2/200910:45:09 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Emlyn's Expressions

    I’m sure, like me, many of you were stunned with Michael Jackson’s recent and sudden death. He was one of my favorite pop stars, if not THE favorite. In my mind, his music, dancing, and philanthropic ways put him in a league of his own. Even if you didn’t like his style of music, or were unimpressed by his dance moves (seriously?!), or questioned his criminal background…you have to admit, his ‘King of Pop’ status not only defined “American” pop culture, but characterized a “World” culture.

    His talent as a musician and songwriter were insurmountable. He paved the way for black artists to be shown on MTV and elevated the standard for music videos—transcending it to an art form comparable to short films. I don’t know how many attempts I have made to moonwalk, or multi-rotate spin like him. I never came close to what seemed so effortless to him.

    But what I admired the most about Michael Jackson was his compassionate heart. The amount of time, energy, and money he dedicated to humanitarian causes is unfortunately often overshadowed by the media hype surrounding his private life. He was one of the major celebrities who contributed in organizing “Hands Across America.” Do you recall May 25, 1986 when millions of Americans joined hands to form a line stretching across 4,152 miles of the United States to raise money to fight hunger and homelessness? Have you dug through your boxes in your parent’s basement to find the “We Are the World” 45 record that Michael Jackson co-wrote, to raise funds to help famine relief efforts in Africa?

    MJ’s hit songs, platinum albums, and relief efforts were the mainstream media and entertainment news events continuously reported on during my childhood and teenaged years…how could it NOT impact who I am today? I am by no means as talented, or as altruistic as Michael Jackson was, but I will try to emulate his efforts by helping those less fortunate than myself, and those in need of love, dedication, and attention.

    One of the major reasons I founded Cultural Embrace was to provide opportunities for individuals and groups to recognize and appreciate cultural diversity. I believe that visiting a place firsthand allows one to truly experience the authenticity of a culture and develop one's own impressions. Personal experience is beyond the influence of textbooks and media. You experience a unique connection when you roll up your sleeve to help someone in need. Or when you extend your arm to shake a stranger’s hand or give them a hug, and you see that despite your outward differences, you share a similar genuine smile.

    Cultural Embrace     offers programs all around the globe--throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania. And on June 25th, 2009 we officially launched our first US program – right here in our home city, the live music capitol of the world: Austin, TX!

    At Cultural Embrace, we organize all types of programs: trips, volunteer, internship, work, teach, as well as cultural classes in increments from from 1-52 weeks. Our staff is dedicated to guiding you to a program that will help you achieve your goals and passions. Let us know where you want to go, what you want to do, and how it will significantly impact your life, as well as the people and communities you wish to encounter, and we will arrange logistical details for you to have a safe and memorable adventure.

    We can continue MJ’s spirit. We are the man (and woman) who can look in the mirror, and say if we want to make the world a better place then take a look at ourselves and make that change. R.I.P Michael!
     

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