Closing Ceremony

While this blog cannot adequately describe the hard work done by the Brazil group during their time at Notre Dame, their dedication should be understated. They attended workshops and presentations for six weeks, producing lesson plans, projects, and activities that they would be able to take back to their classrooms in Brazil. They worked to understand the culture of the United States on a new level, and they connected with the South Bend community through their host schools.

To honor the work and participation of the Brazilian teachers, Notre Dame held a ceremony celebrating their accomplishments. Joined by so many friends they had met along the way, the teachers received certificates of their achievements and enjoyed a night of fellowship and fun.

 

We would like to give one more HUGE thank you to everyone who made the group's time at Notre Dame so special. Thank you to the South Bend Community School Corporation and all the teachers who welcomed the Brazilian teachers into their classrooms. Special thanks to Karla Lee for making that partnership happen. Thank you to the Brazil Club of Notre Dame and to Sandra Teixiera for her support to the teachers. Thank you to the numerous departments at Notre Dame that helped us with problem solving before and during the program to make sure everything went smoothly. Thank you to Stew Markel and Anne Bolster for their classes. Thank you to the language coaches for your hard work and friendship. Thank you to Katy Lichon, Clare Roach, Jenny Dees, and Joyce Johnstone for making this program possible. And thank you to everyone else who did so much to help us out along the way. We will be forever grateful.

Carnaval at Notre Dame

Although it was a couple of weeks early, that didn't stop Notre Dame's Brazil group from celebrating Carnaval with style. The Brazil Club of Notre Dame went all out planning festivities to bring a little piece of Brazil to campus, and, of course, we had to take part in the fun! The first event was a showing of the film "O Samba Que Mora em Mim" (The Samba Within Me).

The next evening, the group joined the Brazil Club and many friends they made during their stay at Notre Dame for a Carnaval Celebration at Legend's. Complete with delicious food, great music, and even better company, the entire evening was a blast. After watching performances by the Flores do Samba Dance Company, based out of Bloomington, Indiana, everyone had a chance to join in the fun and get their groove on.

An enormous thank to the Brazil Club for everything they did for our Brazilian visitors during their stay at Notre Dame. The world is as small as it is large, and it was wonderful for them to have a taste of home so far away from it.

Valentine's Day

While missing a holiday away from family and friends can be a difficult experience, the opposite also can be true, as the Brazil group learned on February 14th. Valentine's Day, a holiday very unique to the United States, greeted the Brazilian teachers with open arms. Celebrating a new holiday in a new land can be a lot of fun.

The anticipation actually started weeks before as the advertisements and build-up to the holiday appeared in stores and on television. And so started the questions: What does this holiday mean? What should we expect? How should we celebrate? As the week grew near, Jenny was able to give a little lesson about what Valentine's Day means in the United States: a special day to show people that we care. During Jenny's lesson, the Brazilians made their own homemade Valentine's Day cards to give to people they appreciate.

Later that day, the group received a tour of Notre Dame's Snite Museum. To celebrate Valentine's Day, the Snite Museum of Art offered a special exhibit showing different types of love through paintings, sculptures, and abstract art. In addition to viewing the amazing art exhibits offered by the museum, the Brazil group also learned how to make foam Valentine's Day prints to paint and transfer onto paper. The curators, guides, and education staff of the Snite were so helpful and informative during our visit.

Basilica Tour

If you've ever visited campus, you know that Notre Dame has a slew of impressive buildings and beautiful views. However, few of these vistas are as iconic at the University's Main Building, also know as the Golden Dome, accompanied by the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. While the group had the opportunity to visit the Main Building one of their first days on campus, they didn't explore the Basilica till a few weeks later. Some group members had attended mass on campus, and some had wandered independently through the impressive doors of the Basilica. Yet, it wasn't until Jeremy Dela Cruz, a seminarian at Notre Dame's Old College, provided a tour that the Brazilian teachers were able to get a full grasp of the rich history and significance of this religious site.

 

The Basilica, which replaced an earlier church that was erected by University founder Father Sorin in 1840, was built in 1870. The mother church for the Congregation of Holy Cross in the United States, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart houses the largest collection of French stained-glass of its kind in the world, and has become a beacon of religious tourism. It is the heart of the University of Notre Dame, and it's easy to understand why as one walks through its impressive arches and columns that line the wooden pews of this old church.

The group was also lucky enough to visit Notre Dame's Log Chapel, located near the Basilica. Although the original chapel burnt down, the Log Chapel is a memento of the earliest days of the University. Built in 1831, the original chapel was a headquarters for missionary activity in the area. The rebuilt chapel is used frequently for mass and offers a more interpersonal religious experience.

 

Special thanks to Jeremy Dela Cruz for the wonderful tour he provided for the Brazil group. Dela Cruz is in his third year of religious formation. Originally from California, Dela Cruz speaks Portuguese fluently and has spent time working in schools in Brazil. He is a member of Notre Dame's Brazil Club that was so welcoming and kind during the experience of the Brazilian teachers.

Bonding and School Boards

On Super Bowl Sunday, we watched the game and the advertisements at Notre Dame's sports bar, Legends. We were joined by some of our partner teachers from the South Bend Community School Corporation. The school community has been so kind and welcoming during this experience, and it has been a pleasure getting to know them.

The next day, we visited the SBCSC School Board meeting, where we introduced ourselves, explained our experience in the schools, and expressed our gratitude for the opportunity to enter the schools. 

We are the Brazilian Curling Team

With visions of Cool Runnings dancing in our heads, we headed to Notre Dame's Compton Family Ice Arena to try our hands at the great sport of curling. Most of the Brazilians hadn't ever set foot on an ice rink, let alone tried to curl before. However, with some great instruction from the friendly staff at the arena, we were curling in no time.

Group Photo

Representing Brazil on the front steps of Notre Dame's Main Building. 

Campus Tour

Today the Brazil group had their first chance to tour Notre Dame. This included a walk around the University, and a virtual introduction to the campus at the Eck Visitors Center. 

Of course, we took the chance to grab some photos around campus.

A Snowy Welcome

Just hours after their arrival in South Bend, the Brazilian teachers were welcomed with some lightly falling snow. After a brief orientation, we had some time to watch the snow fall. Some people even went outside to catch a few snowflakes. We're so excited to start this adventure! 

Meet the Language Coaches

  Laura Bodien, M.Ed.   

Laura received both her B.A. and M.Ed. from the University of Notre Dame.  She recently returned from 18 months teaching and traveling in South America, primarily in Chile and Ecuador.  She has just completed her certification in teaching English as a Second Language.  She is looking forward to returning to Chile in March to work at Universidad Catolica.  Oldest of seven, and life long Notre Dame fan, Laura is thrilled at the opportunity to share her Home under the Dome with all of you!        lbodien@nd.edu   

Sarah Davis, M.Ed.    

Sarah received degrees in English and journalism from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska, and a M.Ed. from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She has taught middle school English and, more recently, spent the past year teaching English to 2 to 7-year-olds in Santiago, Chile. She believes very strongly in Scottish Highland cattle and flossing.          davis.sarah.c@gmail.com

 

Dan Faas, M.Ed.  

Dan graduated from Michigan State University in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in journalism and from the University of Notre Dame in 2012 where he received his masters in education as part of the ACE program. He taught English, literature and religion to middle-schoolers in Mobile, Alabama for two years before teaching high school English at St. George's College in Santiago, Chile. Now that he's back in the U.S.A., he enjoys reading, running and watching the Spartans destroy their competition in football and basketball.          dfaas@nd.edu

Nicole Rodriguez, B.A. 

Nicole received a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in Psychology with a minor in Education, Schooling and Society in December 2013. She was a member of the ND women's soccer team and plans to play professionally in Europe starting in the Spring of 2014. With Spanish as her first language, she hopes to volunteer in South America after she's done playing soccer.             nicoleerodriguez25@gmail.com

Sophie Troy, M.Ed.  

Sophie is originally from Toledo, Ohio (a few hours east of Notre Dame). She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame. After college she joined the ACE program in which she taught middle school science and religion in Phoenix, Arizona and earned her master's degree in education. While in Phoenix she worked with many Spanish speaking families and learned of the importance of quality ENL education. She then joined the Chile ACE program (ChACE) and taught 6th grade English in Santiago, Chile. She is now excited to be moving back to the United States to spend time with family and friends and work with the ENL program!             sophie.e.troy@gmail.com

 

Less than 5 weeks to go!

The count down has begun and in less than 5 weeks you will arrive at Notre Dame! We are so excited to welcome you to campus!

To help you get a better sense of campus check out these links:

Click here to take a visual tour of campus.

Click here for a video tour of campus. 

Click here to see some picture of campus in the winter.

While on campus, you will be eating at South Dinning Hall, a place with excellent and extensive food choices. To get an idea of what is served click here and check out today's menu. In 2012, Notre Dame was ranked #19 for the best college food in America. Click here to check read the article.

There are also several eating establishments near the hotel and meals on trips will be included.

Again please feel free to contact us with any questions.  

Jennifer Dees - jreed3@nd.edu or 574.631.7657

Welcome to the Notre Dame family!