Monday was the official first day of classes at Fundaςão Getulio Vargas. In Brazil, this school is considered to be the best in the country. All of my classes are in English and the classes are about 60-70 percent international students with the rest as Brazilian students. In São Paulo they divide the semester into 2 parts. I will be taking three classes this module as they call it and three the next module. This module I am taking BRIC’s, Brazilian Economy and Politics and Culture. The best part of my schedule? No Friday classes!

                They amount of diversity in each class is really unique and creates a very different atmosphere. Students come from France, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Columbia, Nicaragua, Netherlands, Italy, Costa Rica, Australia and others as well. Each class is a melting pot, including the professor as well since they all do not speak English as their first or even second language sometimes. The classes consist of mostly reading and group projects. In all of my classes the final exam counts for 40% of the final grade. The rest of my grade depends on one other group project, a midterm exam and class participation. That’s it.

Just yesterday we had our orientation for international students. After all of the speakers and whatnot, FGV (the shortened name for my school), the school had “Brazilian surprises” for all of us. We were entertained by a band that played loud, samba music and to every guy’s delight, 2 samba dancers accompanied them as well. I had a blast watching them play and dance. They interacted with the audience and had everyone dancing at the end (including myself). After that, they had a capoeira school perform for us. Capoeira is part dance, part martial arts. It consists of kicking and ducking to the beat of drums and music. They also had the audience participate which was quite amusing considering most people had no idea what to do. A cocktail soon followed. It may sound strange for a school to provide alcoholic beverages and whatnot, but that’s exactly what they did. The cocktail consisted of an open bar serving endless caipirinhas, rum and coke, some coconut drink with vodka, beer and other drinks which I do not know the names of as well as appetizers. Brazilians are not as politically correct as Americans are when it comes to alcohol, but then again I think every country is less strict with the alcohol than the States.

Below is a picture of the samba dancers along with the band. Also pictured is a scene of the capoeira school perform. Enjoy!

Location: Home, Sao Paulo, Brazil