Stop the World - Or Just A Brief Pause At The End of the Year |

I am just finishing up the year in my normal, hectic style. On December 8, I taught my last two classes of the semester, drove directly to the airport and flew to Vienna. I arrived there on Friday morning and went straight to a conference that had already started. On Saturday morning I presented my paper. Sunday, I took the train to Budapest with the ticket I had bought during Friday's lunch time.

Partners Exchange in Nursing Grows |

As a result of their Partners trip from Indiana to Rio Grande do Sul last spring, Anthony Roberts and Kathy Kaiser were invited to speak at the National Congress of the Councils of Nursing (COFEN) in Brazil. This annual scientific event was held October 24-28 at the Cultural and Exhibition Center in Maceió, in the State of Alagoas.

My home in Alegrete |

I never could have guessed what exactly I was getting into when some dear friends knocked on my door and began talking about a trip to Brazil. I've been to Brazil many times and I jumped at this opportunity to go to the country I love more than anything once again. But this trip was so much more than anything I had experienced before. .

My Summer in Brazil |

The summer I spent in Brazil was an experience that has, in countless ways, shaped who I am as an individual. I've learned about a culture, a language, but more importantly, I've learned about myself. I want to share with the partners some of the experiences I had in Brazil, and why they've meant so much to me.

Report from Rio Grande do Sul |

I loved every aspect of the trip, but the most positive and cultural experience for me was living with our host families. I had a great experience with my host families both in Porto Alegre and Alegrete. They were friendly, helpful and tried to make my time in Brazil as fun and memorable as possible.

Nara Finco is the Final RS/Indiana Partners Exchange of 2005 |

RS Partners Board member, Nara Finco, was in the U.S. in October and November to make a Partners visit to Indiana and to attend Leadership Training and the International Partners Convention in Arkansas.

RS Partners Receives Grant for Hosting |

The Youth Agricultural Exchange received a boost this summer in the form of a Project Assistance Grant of $2,500 from Partners of the Americas to help host the Hoosier youth who went to Brazil in July.

Stop the World - Or Just A Brief Pause At The End of the Year |  
By Leslie Barratt, President, Indiana Partners of the Americas

I am just finishing up the year in my normal, hectic style. On December 8, I taught my last two classes of the semester, drove directly to the airport and flew to Vienna. I arrived there on Friday morning and went straight to a conference that had already started. On Saturday morning I presented my paper. Sunday, I took the train to Budapest with the ticket I had bought during Friday's lunch time. Monday, I spoke to an English class at my old University, the Technical University of Budapest; Tuesday, I lectured at McDaniel College/College International. Thursday, I flew back home, arriving sans luggage at 2:30 a.m. on Friday. Saturday, I marched at ISU's Commencement, but the rest of the weekend was spent grading. You may be tired reading this, but I am energized. Travel always does that to me, and this time was no different. I got my December injection of language practice and cultural training.

What was different in Europe was people's attitudes. Usually, my friends talk longingly of my ability to visit them and their lack of means (because of finances, government restrictions, or lack of free time) to visit me. Now none of them want to come. They are no longer in awe of the U.S.– politically or culturally. While it is not uncommon to find people in the U.S. who feel other countries have nothing to teach us, now what I heard several times on this trip in both Vienna and Budapest is that the U.S. should stop trying to teach them because we have a lot to learn ourselves.

In Partners, we have known this for a long time: all countries need to both learn and teach because no country has a monopoly on the answers. I feel that the work we do as volunteers for Partners shows the people of Rio Grande do Sul that we are partners with them – that we want to learn as much as we want to share. As we get ready to receive visitors in 2006, let us remember to schedule time for them to share their knowledge and culture wherever we take them. Let us always be mindful of how much we have to learn!

Partners Exchange in Nursing Grows |

As a result of their Partners trip from Indiana to Rio Grande do Sul last spring, Anthony Roberts and Kathy Kaiser were invited to speak at the National Congress of the Councils of Nursing (COFEN) in Brazil. This annual scientific event was held October 24-28 at the Cultural and Exhibition Center in Maceió, in the State of Alagoas. It is one of the largest health events (meetings) in Latin America. The participants are nurses, nursing technicians, nursing auxiliaries, nursing students and other health professionals. This year, the Congress' subject was "Beyond science, sweetness as a tool of true nursing". The goals of the conference each year are to:

– discuss current health policies and its implications for nursing in its different global contexts;
– provide scientific, technological, cultural and political exchange among professionals of Brazilian States, national and international health organizations;
– gather the nursing community and other health professionals to debate perspectives of a new Ethics;
– promote the development of proposals and recommendations to enhance and to strengthen the nursing profession.

Kathy presented an overview of nursing practice in the United States. Anthony made a presentation on cardiology. In addition, Pontifica Catholic University Nursing Department is proceeding with plans to visit the U.S. in the fall of 2006.

My home in Alegrete |
By Stephanie Johnson, Youth Ambassador 2005

I never could have guessed what exactly I was getting into when some dear friends knocked on my door and began talking about a trip to Brazil. I've been to Brazil many times and I jumped at this opportunity to go to the country I love more than anything once again. But this trip was so much more than anything I had experienced before. .

As I was standing at the airport on June tenth it was still sinking in that I was not going to see any of these faces for eight whole weeks. It was a scary thought for a little fifteen-year-old girl. We said our goodbyes, and I was off. Many long hours later I was in Porto Alegre. I breathed in that air and I couldn't have been anymore excited or nervous. I was immediately introduced to my host mother and brother. I could not have been placed in a more perfect family.

It was almost like I hadn't even left my home. The Guerra family was so much like mine: a mother who thinks of everything, a dad who loves his job, and is the best at it, an older brother who is a bit shy but sweet when you get through to him, and a brother who is technically younger than me, but is much bigger. This family even had a girl thrown in the middle just like mine.

I quickly found out that school was totally different in every way imaginable. No school bus comes to the house to pick you up. Instead of picking classes and constantly switching classrooms, there is a block schedule with set classes. School is a lot more demanding there. I was in more classes there than in America, but I loved getting to see the different teaching style.

I spent a lot of my time was at Speak Easy School, one of the English schools in Alegrete. My neighbor owned the school, so I was taken in quite well. I sat in on almost every class. The students loved listening to how fast I spoke and my accent. I loved being able to sit in on those classes. I read stories to the younger children and watched their amazement at being in the same room as "the American." The funniest part of that was when the children started asking for my autograph like I was a real celebrity.

I had many new experiences in Alegrete. A couple stick out more than others. I traveled to Uruguay and Argentina for a day each and it was amazing to hear conversations going on in two languages. The Spanish and Portuguese flew back and forth like it was all just one language. Another was seeing the natural stone bridge at the Fazenda Tigre. It was probably the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, and was well worth the aching legs I had for days after.

I also did do something most people will never do. My host father is a pilot. He loves his planes and flying, which is normal. What isn't normal is that he does air acrobatics, and I knew I had to give it a try. He did loops, flew upside down, and did many other stunts that left me glued to my seat. We flew together twice. I will never forget the fear and excitement and the fantastic moments.

This trip was the best thing that ever could have happened to me. I left a shy quiet child. I came back a confident young woman. I have a new appreciation for the things God has put around me, and the person he has made me. I still talk about my adventure. I'm sure I'll never stop telling the tales of the days I spent in Brazil. I can only thank you for the opportunity you gave me to be a youth ambassador.

The summer I spent in Brazil was an experience that has, in countless ways, shaped who I am as an individual. I've learned about a culture, a language, but more importantly, I've learned about myself. I want to share with the partners some of the experiences I had in Brazil, and why they've meant so much to me.

The first Brazilians I was greeted by upon my arrival were the Bondars, my exchange family. It did not take long for us to start acting and feeling like friends and family; I was overwhelmed by their kindness and acceptance into their home. I want to thank the partners SO MUCH for working so hard at the last minute to find me this family; it meant so much to me that I could live with a practicing Jewish family.

Volunteering in the community was also just as rewarding. I volunteered in several different English schools in Porto Alegre. I still send and receive e-mails from some of the students updating me on their lives and their endeavors in the English language. I also volunteered in the Jewish Youth Group organization Chazit Hanoar on Saturdays, providing daytime activities to children in the Jewish community. Perhaps I did not make an overwhelming difference in the community, but I've learned that no effort is trivial. The connections I've made in that community are ones I hope to sustain forever.

Many of the students from Isrealita, whom I still keep in close contact with, have planned to come to Indiana to visit me. I also hope in any way to keep alive the Indiana Partners of the Americas organization;. I have made presentations to some of the foreign language classes in the area and have had many students approach me who are interested in participating in the next exchange.

Since my return from Rio Grande do Sul, I have encouraged my classmates to take advantage of this opportunity, as it has been such a significant experience to me and I can only hope others could take away as much from it as I did. I know that this exchange has impacted me in more ways than I can even imagine. I want to thank this organization for their incredible generosity to have allowed me to travel this past summer.

I loved every aspect of the trip, but the most positive and cultural experience for me was living with our host families. I had a great experience with my host families both in Porto Alegre and Alegrete. They were friendly, helpful and tried to make my time in Brazil as fun and memorable as possible. Another major positive was having someone who spoke fluent English and Portuguese with us most of the time. As none of our group spoke much Portuguese, we depended on our translators for several parts of the trip. A positive experience for me was being able to use my Spanish to communicate with some of the Brazilian people. I enjoy speaking the language and it was good to know that my abilities were of use to us while traveling. The time spent at Bom Pastor School also made a positive impact on all of us. We had a great time hanging out with the students whether we were playing soccer, attending class or just talking with them."

RS Partners Board member, Nara Finco, was in the U.S. in October and November to make a Partners visit to Indiana and to attend Leadership Training and the International Partners Convention in Arkansas.

The main purpose of the trip was to become familiar with the Partners organization, its members, programs and projects. In her words, Nara had the opportunity to "enlarge the spirit of sharing of the Partners in the State of Indiana, exchanging experiences and approaching different cultures (Indianapolis, Terre Haute and Lafayette)." Nara was able to participate in the annual INTESOL Conference, talk to professors and students at universities, contact business people, visit people in need, and experience Halloween parties.

The second part of the trip was at the Leaders' Orientation Meeting in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and the Partners Convention in Little Rock. At both of these meetings, Nara met other Partners members from the three Americas.

Nara's report included the following highlights from each of the Partner cities:

INDIANAPOLIS

1. INTESOL - Very much like the conventions we have in Brazil. The main difference would be that English in Brazil is considered a foreign language and in the U.S. a second language. The convention of the association I am a member of in Porto Alegre is longer but has similar speakers. It was my first convention for teachers of English abroad.
2. Rotary meeting - I frequently hear about this organization but I have never participated in a meeting - dynamic people, useful projects, friendly atmosphere, interesting speech of a man who had been to the Iraq war.
3. Headless Horseman, Halloween party- my first experience. I must ask different people more information about this day and why they still commemorate it.
4. Jane McCaslin showed me around the Walker Information Company and let me help her move some furniture from the back yard to the back porch. I learned more about differences related to temperature in the two countries. We also attended a Catholic Mass.

TERRE HAUTE, IN:

1. My hosts (Susy Fletcher and Deb Barnhart) were nurses who had already been to Rio Grande do Sul. I learned a lot about nursing and about their life experiences.
2. Eileen Prose took me to the Dewey Institute, YWCA, and Exotic Feline Rescue Center. There I met people involved in promoting seniors. There were presentations and meetings where I could help with some ideas. I've never heard about a rescue center like the one mentioned above. It's good to know that there are people who raise money to protect felines in danger.
3. Indiana State University with Leslie Barratt - I attended classes, talked to students and professors; from grammar classes to the ones emphasizing culture. I hope I helped Leslie's students be aware not to miss the opportunity of experiencing different cultures in class and everywhere.
   Leslie told me about the POA, the Indiana chapter and we talked about what can be done together.

LAFAYETTE, IN:

1. Purdue University - I enjoyed participating in a class where Betty Cook (my host) was teaching Portuguese. I've always had the opposite situation in Brazil. I felt good talking in Portuguese and English to the students and answering questions about my country. Betty's mother was so kind inviting me for dinner. She had lived in Brazil (where Betty was born) and also wanted to practice Portuguese and even hear about some cities she had been to.
2. A Lutheran Mass- I could compare this and the Catholic one I had attended in Indianapolis to the ones in Brazil.
3. "Trick or Treat" at Sallie Fahey's. Now, Halloween is much more than pictures and stories. I could experience it - what the parties, decoration of houses, and stores are like.

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS
Partners of the Americas Leaders' Orientation Meeting

The facilitators from Washington planned the seminar very carefully and were eager to explain as much as necessary. The methodology included a variation of techniques that kept us busy and motivated. The material reflected the high quality of the seminar.

I learned about the history of the POA, the three "Rs" and could listen and discuss some chapters' successful projects, difficulties, accomplishments and goals. The testimony of different chapters made me understand better the organization as well as more aware of the role of cultural diversity and differing needs according to climate differences.

The video with Jim Boren and an overview of the POA was a good way to start the program. The activity called "Parking Lot" answered many questions. Barbara, Matt, Luiza and Jennifer were dynamic and reached the objectives of the seminar in a friendly atmosphere.

Mount Sequoyah Center was perfect for the "classes" and as a hotel. Nature was gorgeous. I'll never forget the reddish thick carpet of leaves!

LITTLE ROCK, AR:
International Partners of the Americas Convention

This was a second official opportunity to continue learning about the POA - more people, more formal and more challenging. I could also have a better idea of what the board is like.

One of the sessions I enjoyed the most in the convention, was meeting Baldonedo Napoleão and some Brazilian chapters, figuring out what was going wrong and planning to get together again so that the partnership would work better. Dennis Shaw was a person who made me feel very proud of being a partner. Sometimes he seemed to be anxious to share so much experience in so little time. Probably because he enjoyed living in Brazil, he really cares for being available to discuss and help us.

It reminded me a flea market because of the various nationalities also trying to sell their products. We had another opportunity to exchange ideas about projects.

The "movie corner" was one of the opportunities to learn about other countries, projects and discuss them. Seeing images in a film help sensitize more about people and places.

The host chapter told us how important it is to have a team willing to work for an objective. Using contacts and looking for the advice of the right person will help a lot meet our needs.

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

Graceland and Beale Street - I thank Barbara Bloch for organizing a group to "visit Elvis Presley". It was like a dream that came true. Beale St. was another place that helped me observe American culture and history.

The Youth Agricultural Exchange received a boost this summer in the form of a Project Assistance Grant of $2,500 from Partners of the Americas to help host the Hoosier youth who went to Brazil in July. Many thanks to Ana Mary Duarte and Marlene Lomando for their hard work to host our students!