US-Brazil College to High School Mentoring

Sao Paulo

Acting Consul General William Popp speaking to students at Associacao Alumni

Building bridges for education is the intent of Harvard University’s Mentoring and Language Acquisition (MLAB) program, which brings together 15 Harvard undergraduates and 15 Brazilian high school students for a two-week mentorship and cultural exchange program in Brazil.    Acting Consul General Bill Popp spoke to the 30 students at the opening at Associacao Alumni on January 17 on the value of the exchange which was created by Harvard’s David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies in Sao Paulo.   

Consul General Popp emphasized the importance of mentoring programs and cross cultural experiences, which is underscored by the fact that the Harvard students, most the first in their families to attend university and all in need of significant financial aid, come from Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Kenya, Peru, and various U.S. states.   The Brazilian students selected for the program were all originally enrolled in public schools but, in recognition of their talents, had received scholarships to attend private high schools across Brazil.  The program gives these students the opportunity to learn from others who have made the jump from low income to higher education while giving their Harvard “mentors” lessons in Brazilain life and culture.  It is hoped that these exchanges will truly develop long-term partnerships to last a lifetime.  Encouraging the students to look to their “mentors” for guidance about the possibility of studying the U.S., EducationUSA advisor Thais Pires also referred to President Dilma Rouseff’s “Science Without Borders” program that will provide education exchange opportunities for talented Brazilians to study in the U.S.  

The program has also received support from several Brazilian corporate partners, helping to span the educational gap for these youngsters.

For more information on Study in the U.S.:  http://www.educationusa.info/Brazil

Science Without Borders: http://www.cienciasemfronteiras.gov.br/