The Rhythm of Bahia – Arts and Culture in Brazil

* Name: Pui Shen Yoong

* UWC attended/graduation year: Armand Hammer ‘08

* Current university/major (if at uni): -

Organizational details

* Name of organization/program: Experiment in International Living (EIL)

* Location of stint: northeast Brazil

* Dates and duration of stint: 25 June 2007 – 2 August 2007; 5 weeks
* Briefly, please tell us about its aims/objectives:

The EIL aims at “making a difference in the world, one friend at a time”. It organizes summer exchange programs in over 20 countries. Programs have special emphases such as arts, community service, language immersion, cooking etc.

*Please tell us about the nature of work you did, activities that you participated in, places you went to:

The orientation took place in Rio de Janeiro where we saw the statue of Christ the Redeemer and visited two schools, one of which was in a favela (slums). The main bulk of my exchange was spent in a performing arts school in Salvador, where I had theatre/music/dance classes with Afro-Brazilian influences. I also had Portugese language classes, weekends on the beach and a one-week homestay in the community of Lençois. There were also two community service projects, one of which was at a capoeira center. We watched many performances and went to many parties. The last week was spent in more rural areas where we hiked to caves, swam to a 100m waterfall etc.

* Upsides/downsides?

The program is extremely safe. 10 students were led by 1 group leader and in-country support. But this means that there was not so much freedom to explore.

* Why did you apply to do this?

I haven’t been to Latin America before, and I really wanted to learn another language in a foreign country. I also thought it was important for me to get out of the UWC bubble and meet new people, not just people with the same ideals and goals.

* Why do you think UWC students/graduates might be interested?

Cultural exchange.

* Tell us about the people you worked with and met during your stint.

The other students in my group were high school kids aged 15-17 mostly from USA. It was a little difficult at times to understand their behaviour; I had to remind myself that I could not expect the same from them as I do from Americans in Armand Hammer UWC. As for Brazilians, they are incredibly friendly and expressive people. My homestay was no problem at all, although I hardly spoke Portugese.

Contact information

* How did you apply to this program?

EIL gives 6 scholarships to Armand Hammer every year. I filled out an application and was shortlisted for the interview session. Fee-paying students are also accepted, and I am sure other students could talk to EIL about help with funding.

* Contact details of the organization/program?

http://www.usexperiment.org/

* If you are agreeable to being contacted about your experience with this organization, please include your contact details: psyoong@gmail.com