Gaining Access to English Language and American Culture

São Paulo

(from left to right): Adeli Muniz (teacher); Marilena Fernandes (Coordinator); Beatriz Jorge (Supervisor); Sílvia Correa (Academic Director); Maria Snarski (RELO – U.S. Embassy)

Before an auditorium packed with friends and family at Associacao Alumni, 45 students received their Certificates of Achievement on completeing the two-year Access Microscholarship English Language course.   Acting Consulate General William Popp had the honor of presenting the awards and was joined by the Associação Alumni staff, members of the NGO Parceiros da Educação, and public school principals and coordinators -- and very proud parents – in applauding the dedication the students had shown over the last two years.

Besides the congratulations from the many partners, the program also included short pieces by the graduates to celebrate some of the work they’d done both inside and outside the classroom  during their Intensive weeks in January and July.  Speaking in English throughout, pairs of the students  talked about learning about environmental protection on a trip to the source of Tietê river; taking part in a baseball clinic to get a feel for the Great American Pastime;  and assimilating American musical culture via their own presentation called “Access to Glee.”

The cermony was marked by a couple of unexpected honors:   former Access student Daniel Freitas, who was selected as a 2012 Youth Ambassador, received a gift from Parceiros da Educação to use on his trip to the U.S. ;  and Associacao Alumni announced 24 scholarships were being granted to the best Access student to cover the next three terms of instruction.

Over refreshments following the presentations, the students had the chance to use their new skills with American visitors from the consulate and talk about their social responsibility and volunteer projects, such as organizing the libraries at their public schools.  In the end, they simply didn’t want to leave as they looked back at their learning experiences and forward to what they see as a bright future made brighter by their own hard work.