CHANGING THE WORLD ALWAYS NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Maceio
In the Northeast of the Brasil stands Maceió. It is the capital of the state of Alagoas. This coastal city has the nicest beaches in Brazil, the water is crystal clear and the white sand is the smoothest. Even though the city attracts for its beaches, it is full of alternative choices. The trees, sand and water make the landscape unique and breathtaking. Visiting the city is almost as pleasant as arriving to paradise.
The beautiful beaches are the main attraction of Maceió, most of all the touristic tours and sightseeing take place at the coast surroundings.
Beaches & Pools: The North part of the coast of Maceió is appreciated by many tourists and Brazilians every year. They decide to spend their holidays in the crystal clear beauty of the beaches. If you enjoy learning about marine life, you can take tours or go snorkeling; one of the best beaches for that are “Paripueira”, “Santo Antônio” and “Japaratinga”. The South part has the characteristic that combines pools with beaches. One of the best places to check out is “Coruripe”.
Unique Places: The city is full of places worthy of your visit. Some of them are “Ecopark Aquático”, located inside a protected area, which is one of the largest water parks of the region; the natural pools in “Praia Pajuçara”, where you can enjoy the view, dive in the sea, snorkel and learn about the flora and fauna of the zone... And you can also join a boat tour! Lakes “Manguaba” and “Mundaú” are one of the largest of their kind in Alagoas. There you can enjoy a peaceful picnic or you can go fishing.
Museums: Maceió is not only beaches, there are some gorgeous constructions to see and places to visit. Among them, there are the museums. Besides having a delicious design, they share the history of the city and the culture of Brazil. The more remarkable museums are “Museu da Imagem e do Som”, where films reflecting the history of Brazil are projected and “Museu do Esporte”, which displays information and elements about Pelé and other national and international football players.
Nightlife: In this lively city, entertainment never sleeps. There are many places where you can go dancing, drinking or eating. If you spend the afternoon at the beach, you can stay the night in one of the pubs surrounding the zone. Some of the beaches where you can do that are “Praia Pajuçara”, “Praia Jatiúca” and “Ponte Verde”. Also, you will find discos, pubs and restaurants in neighbourhoods such as “Jaraguá” or “Stella Maris”.
The nice and hot average temperature of the city is due to the proximity to the Equator and the presence of the beaches. The average annual temperature is 25°C. The hot season is from April to September and the cold season is from October to March.
Maceió has one international airport, “Aeroporto Internacional Zumbi dos Palmares” located at the Northwest of the city, where you can take local and international planes. At the center of the city you will find the bus station, “Terminal Rodoviária". The city is well-served with taxis and buses, there also is the possibility of renting a car.
-Ecotourism: Ponte Verde, beaches (Jatiúca, Pajuçara, Paripueira, Santo Antônio and Japaratinga, Coruripe, among others), lakes Manguaba and Mundaú, and many more sites.
-Unique Places: Catedral Metropolitana, Museu do Esporte, Museu da Imagem e do Som, among others.
-Entertainment: Ecopark Aquático, pubs, restaurants, discos, coffee shops, food, drinks.
TESTIMONIALS
I am a graduate student in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Indiana University. After completing a couple of semesters of basic Portuguese, I wanted to take my language proficiency to the next level by visiting a language school in Brazil. I was impressed by the quality of instruction. My teachers taught me advanced grammar concepts and provided me with written and spoken exercises to practice my new found knowledge. Group lessons provided a context in which to apply what I learned and individual lessons provided me with the opportunity to focus on particular topics. By the end of my six weeks course I was speaking Portuguese better than ever and I was more than satisfied with the results. I have returned to Indiana University where I am currently enrolled in a 500-level Portuguese literature class. I am able to understand and participate in all class discussions because of my experience in Brazil. My teachers there prepared me well! ''Portuguese course. Robert Fritz
''I study art history at the University of Delaware. As an art history major I have particularly enjoyed visiting the twin cities of Cachoeira and São Felix. There, I loved the character of Cachoeira and seeing the architectural restoration projects underway. In Salvador I have really enjoyed the “charme of the city;” it was really relaxed while maintaining the commotion of a big city. People in the city are friendly, welcoming and accessible.'' Portuguese course. Angelina Meehan
''What I really appreciated about the school was how many options it created for us. We had trips to historic sites, a surfing weekend, day-long excursions, and everything was ready for us, Jailson really took care of us. The school also arranged day trips to local festivals with tour guides who knew the layout of the city and made us feel at ease. In the classroom, the professors are easy going, fun-loving, and professional. They knew exactly what I needed to know to communicate in the city. Because of my Portuguese classes, I was able to chat with locals and experience the city in a different way''. Portuguese course. Paul Nithan
''I spent the month of January in Salvador. As a singer, I took advantage of the city’s thriving music scene. and sang in various places around the city, including the Museum of Modern Art’s weekly Jazz music session. There I found the atmosphere lively and open and the musicians friendly and welcoming. Furthermore I also enjoyed singing at music clubs in Salvador’s Rio Vermelho neighborhood!'' Portuguese course. Marianne, Switzerland
