All six filed out in front of the audience, aligned themselves, introduced themselves and then sung.For Brazilian foreign exchange students having never been here nor met us, they were incredibly brave, charismatic and inspiring.In late April, The Community School was blessed with a week of international exposure during the visit of students from our sister school in Brazil.Brunna Barros, Luiz Rates, Geraldo Pereira Neto, Natalie Gauer, Andrea Malcher, and Judas Tadeu Alves dos Santos came under the supervision of a few teachers. The six Brazilians lived with Cutthroat sophomores, amongst them Colin Waycott, Emily Gillespie and Morgan Atkinson, and came to classes for four days.Said Emily, “We had a lot of fun hosting.I think they enjoyed The Community School.”
The entire school, especially the 10th grade, was given a truly cultural experience, yet at the same time, we realized that despite the geographical distance, they were very much the same as us.When asked about living with a Brazilian, sophomore Tom Crosby replied, “It was like living with any other kids.I mean, obviously they were Brazilians, but…” he trailed off.Even for those who didn’t host, it was great.Said sophomore Gabi Perenchio, “Even though I didn’t host any, I still feel like I bonded with them and got to know a new culture.” According to another sophomore Tim Kanellitsas, “They’re constantly happy.They’re happy with everything.”He hosted Judas, “a cool bro,” and “it was dank.”
For some it was an opportunity to just make new friends, for others an inspiration.Sophomore Colin Waycott said, “It was cool to know that they were so fluent in a language and some of them hadn’t studied it for very long.It makes me motivated to learn many languages.”Their visit stimulated a huge interest in travel and language.Nearly everyone learned words in Portuguese (many being cuss words), and cultural and geographical comparisons were constantly being drawn. Colin Waycott noted, “It was very nice to see inter-cultural relationships and people from different countries connecting.”
The sophomore class benefited greatly from the exchange program, and will continue to do so.Directly after finals, Hannes and Pilar will be bringing six Cutthroat sophomores down to their school in Brazil for a week.Emily Gillespie, Morgan Atkinson, Reta Flynt, Colin Waycott, Tim Kanellitsas, and Tom Crosby will stay at Escola SESC de Ensino Médio for two nights in dorms with the Brazilian students who came here.Then they will go to an eco-resort with SESC and then back to the school for another two nights.Each Cutthroat has had to get immunizations in the past few days in preparation for the trip.And although the trip has been shrouded in mystery and, according to Hannes, some poor communication, they’re all thrilled!Said Emily Gillespie, “We have no idea what we’re doing on the trip,” but she’s “excited to go to Brazil!”Tim is equally enthusiastic to “kick some ass and get some rays.”In a slightly more sincere tone, he added, “I’m really looking forward to being around their enthusiasm and thankfulness for life again.”
All in all, The Community School’s connection with our sister school SESC in Brazil has, and will be, unbelievably beneficial to both American and Brazilian students.Morgan Atkinson has gained insight from her experience with the exchange students.“I was able to see a different culture through a new lens,” she said with a smile.