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BRASILIAN SPRING
BREAK EXPERIENCE
Floating Schoolhouse
in the Amazon
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Brasilian Spring
Break Experience
Click here
for the web page of an actual spring break project for 2009
(Note! This
will take you away from Global EduTrek!)
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Descriptive
of the Spring Break Experience
This course involves an
intensive, one-week study of the Brasilian Amazonas and one week
in the Brasilian Pantanal. During the Amazonas
and Pantanal exploration, students participate in daily lectures and discussions
of Amazonian culture, flora, fauna, and economic activities of
the areas we visit. Students are required to keep a daily
reflective journal and will receive .5 credits in biology.
Prior the experience, all participants (students and sponsors)
will be required to participate in eight two-hour orientation sessions
held at least two months before the trip. The session informs
participants and their parents of the health and safety of participants
when traveling abroad, Brasilian culture and customs, necessary
documentation, goals, objectives, and expectations of the experience,
group dynamics, and other important aspects that will contribute
to the success of the project.
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Cost
per participant: $2000
Non-refundable down-payment due three months prior departure $1000
Total balance due one month prior departure $1000
There are no exceptions to fee deadlines. |
SCS
Staff:
Project manager – Dr. Vannetta Perry
Sponsors – Sponsors will be school/university employees. Sponsors,
like students, are responsible for their own expenses throughout
the trip.
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- Brasilian
Staff:
Max Maia,
Maiaturismo,
professional guide and native Amazonian, with whom Dr. Perry has
worked since 2001
- Boat crew in Amazon, three licensed professional boat pilots and
three additional crew members including a professional chef.
- Ailton Lara,
professional Pantanal guide and traditional Pantaneiro.
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What's
this program about?
The Amazon River, second longest river in the world, flowing 6,280
km, is surrounded by the world's largest and densest rain forest
with more diverse plants and animals than any other forest on the
planet. The purpose of this program is to expose students and faculty
to the precious ecosystems of the Brasilian Amazonas, diverse cultures
along the Amazon, and provide participants a unique opportunity
to experientially learn about a place that most only read about
in books.
The objective of this study abroad program is to provide students
with an opportunity to examine first-hand the intersection of society,
environment, and economics in the Brazilian Amazon and Pantanal. Highlights of
the program include: a week in the Pantanal including three days
horseback with the Pantaneiros, a four-day stay at a local lodge
along the Rio Mamori in the Amazon, a four-day research excursion aboard an Amazonian
boat on the Rio Negro and Amazon Rivers (with several side trips
up tributaries, through the flooded forests, and stops at small
villages along the way to experience local culture); camping in
the jungle; visits to the cascading waterfalls hidden in the vast
Amazonian forest cover; tour of historic Manaus.
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Where
does it take place?
The program is primarily based out of Cuiabá, the capital of the
state of Mato Grosso and entry portal to the northern Pantanal, and Manaus, the capital of the
state of Amazonas located on the Rio Negro. Founded in 1669, Manaus
grew rapidly during the rubber boom of the late 19th century. Since
the 1970's, increased interest in development of the Amazon basin
has brought Manaus new importance, particularly in high-tech industries.
Despite the urban bustle of Manaus, nature is never more than an
hour away with verdant forests, river islands and tranquil waterways
providing many opportunities for exploring the wonders of nature
and mingling with the local people.
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Itinerary
March 27-April 13, 2009
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March 27 |
Friday |
Depart
US in the afternoon, after a morning of school |
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March 28 |
Saturday |
Arrive
in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil; exchange money,
drive to Chapada dos
Guimarães |
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March 29 |
Sunday |
Tour
Chapada dos Guimarães; lecture on headwaters of
Pantanal, drive to fazenda or Cuiabá, depending upon
time |
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March 30 |
Monday |
Drive
to Fazenda in northern Pantanal, evening lecture |
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March 30 |
Tuesday |
Cattle
Drive |
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April 1 |
Wednesday |
Cattle
Drive |
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April 2 |
Thursday |
Cattle
Drive, return to fazenda |
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April 3 |
Friday |
Return
to Cuiabá, fly to Manaus, overnight in Hotel Plaza |
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April 4 |
Saturday |
Depart
for Dolphin Lodge on Rio Mamori, pass Encontra das
Aguas – this journey is by bus, speedboats, small
vans, then speedboats again |
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April 5 |
Sunday |
Explore Rio Mamori, learn about the local rubber
industry, jungle hike, swim, evening exploring in
small canoes |
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April 6 |
Monday |
Explore Rio Mamori, jungle hike, swim, evening
exploring in small canoes |
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April 7 |
Tuesday |
Depart
Rio Mamori for larger boat exploration of Rio Negro;
a visit to a floating village of 30 families, a very
interesting place where you will learn how people
live in a floating house; we will go to
Janauarilandia to take a catwalk to see the water
lilies; after dinner, we go caiman spotting and
cruise up the Rio Negro for our overnight on board
in hammocks. |
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April 8 |
Wednesday |
Departure to Terra Preta, an Indian village whose
people mixed with Indian and Caboclos (Non-Indian
Amazonian), then to Anavilhanas Islands to Novo
Airão to see the endangered pink dolphins; then back
down to Acajatuba River, followed by jungle trekking
with a local people from the Arara community. During
the trek, students will have lessons on flora and
fauna of the region including the medicinal plants;
swimming on the Acajatuba River; afternoon, cruise
up to Jaraqui River for sunset tour in canoes;
dinner barbecue in the jungle; overnight in hammocks
in jungle.
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April 9 |
Thursday |
Sunrise tour and birding watching in small canoe.
Departure to Acajatuba Village with 200 people,
where you can buy regional souvenirs.
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April 10 |
Friday |
Explore Rio Negro; igapó exploring in small canoe |
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April 11 |
Saturday |
Return
to Manaus, overnight at Hotel Plaza |
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April 12 |
Sunday |
Depart
for the US |
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April 13 |
Monday |
Arrive
in the US |
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What
will we study and where will we live?
the program is based out of
Cuiabá, the capital city of the Brasilian state of Mato Grosso.
We will take a brief tour north of Cuiabá to Chapada dos
Guimarães to explore the headwaters of the Pantanal hydrologic
system, following which we will go south into the northern
Pantanal. We will stay at a fazenda (Pantanal ranch) for a
night, after which we will travel horseback helping Pantaneiros
move cattle from one area of the fazenda to another, camping out
in hammocks at night.
the program is primarily based
out of Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas and located
on the Rio Negro, a primary Amazon tributary. Founded in 1669,
Manaus grew rapidly during the rubber boom of the late 19th
century. Since the 1970's, increased interest in development of
the Amazon basin has brought Manaus new importance, particularly
in high-tech industries. Despite the urban bustle of Manaus,
nature is never more than an hour away with verdant forests,
river islands and tranquil waterways providing many
opportunities for exploring the wonders of nature and mingling
with the local people. While in Manaus, we will stay at the
Hotel Plaza, with all the expected amenities and centrally
located near the famous historic Manaus Opera House.
We will spend four nights at the
Dolphin Lodge along the Rio Mamori, another tributary of the
Amazon. Dolphin Lodge is a locally owned and operated lodge
that provides an environmentally healthy and sustainable source
of income for local inhabitants. The lodge has hammocks or beds
for sleeping, in-door plumbing, and a nice central room for
eating, lectures, and meetings. After our four nights at the
lodge, we will spend three nights on a boat exploring the Rio
Negro, sleeping in hammocks on the boat and one night in the
jungle.
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Throughout the experience...
we will study the
socio-economic and cultural activities and how they influence
the ecological health of the local areas we visit. Students
will have the opportunity to visit with native inhabitants to
learn how they live, what they do, and what is important to
them.
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| What
are the course requirements?
Pre-Trip Requirements.
Prior the
experience, all participants (students and sponsors)
are required to participate in eight two-hour
orientation sessions
to be held in December through early March. These sessions will
inform students and their parents and sponsors of the health and
safety of participants when traveling abroad, Brasilian culture and
customs, necessary documentation, goals, objectives, and
expectations of the experience, group dynamics, and other important
aspects of the project. We will have an introduction to the
Amazonian and Pantanal biomes and even learn a bit of Portuguese so
we can communicate some with the locals.
If a student misses the orientation
sessions, she/he will not be allowed to participate. This is
required for the safety and well-being of all participants.
Furthermore, when a participant learns as much as possible about the
places we plan to visit, the experience is richer and more
fulfilling.
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Trip
Duration: During the Amazonas and Pantanal exploration, students are required
to participate in daily hikes and lectures and discussions of Amazonian
and Pantanal
culture, flora, fauna, and economic activities of the areas we visit.
Students are required to keep a daily reflective journal.
In addition, participation in all activities throughout the experience
will be required.
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Who
will be eligible?
Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average
of at least 2.50 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum
grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission - additional
eligibility criteria apply, and students must be judged academically
and socially prepared by program staff. Participation may be denied
to an applicant whose conduct and/or grades prior to departure raises
doubt that he or she should be allowed to participate in the international
experience.
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How
much does it cost?
The program fee of $2,000 includes all accommodations, meals, and field trips. The program fee
does NOT include air fare, personal spending money, international travel
insurance (required), passport and visa fees, or transportation to and from the
airport within the US.
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Does
the participant need a passport or visa?
Passports are required for entry Brasil. To obtain a passport, contact
the US
Department of State. A visa is a special entry permit required
by Brasil. It is stamped into your passport. A current and valid
passport is required for all visa applications. It is the responsibility
of students applying for this program to obtain a valid passport
at least one month prior trip departure.
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Are
there special health issues?
It is strongly recommended that students consult with their personal
physician or a travel clinic at least 3 months prior to their departure.
Students need to ensure their routine immunizations are up-to-date;
inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations
for Brasil and review educational issues relevant to their personal
health and well being. During our pre-trip classes, we will discuss
medical issues and concerns.
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Are
there special concerns if students are minors?
Yes, there are special considerations that must be met if the participant
is a minor (below 18 years of age). Brasil requires that participants
younger than 18 years of age traveling with someone other than a
parent or legal guardian, carry with them at all times, written
authorization (notarized) from the parent or legal guardian indicating
the adult(s) responsible for the minor. In addition, a form providing
medical authority to the sponsoring adult(s) in the event of a medical
emergency will be required.
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What
about travel insurance?
All participants are required to have Emergency Medical and Evacuation
insurance. Sources of this insurance will be discussed during the
pre-trip meetings. You should check your current insurance for this
insurance requirement.
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What
about the classes that students will miss while they are gone?
Most teachers agree to work with the students to create Brasil-focused
lessons to be done while in Brasil that can replace the assigned
work while students participate in the experience. If this agreement
is unacceptable with teachers, students are responsible for completing
make-up work for classes missed while participating in the Brasil
experience.
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For more
information, contact:
Dr.
Vannetta Perry
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