Au Pair CarePre-departure Orientation Project

Vivian Cristina Zanchin2009/2010

B R A Z I L

History

Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is a country in South America. It is the fifth largest country by geographical area, occupying nearly half of South America, the fifth most populous country, and the fourth most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Brazil has a coastline of over 7,491 kilometers (4,655 mi). It is bordered on the north by Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and the French overseas department of French Guiana; on the northwest by Colombia; on the west by Bolivia and Peru; on the southwest by Argentina and Paraguay and on the south by Uruguay. Numerous archipelagos are part of the Brazilian territory, such as Fernando de Noronha.

South

Southeast

Central

West

Northeast

North

Brazil was a colony of Portugal from the landing of Pedro Álvares Cabral in 1500 until its independence in 1822. Initially independent as the Brazilian Empire, the country has been a republic since 1889, although the bicameral legislature, now called Congress, dates back to 1824, when the first constitution was ratified. Its current Constitution defines Brazil as a Federal Republic. The Federation is formed by the union of the Federal District, the 26 States, and the 5,564 Municipalities.

Brazil is the world's tenth largest economy at market exchange rates and the ninth largest by purchasing power parity. Economic reforms have given the country new international projection. It is a founding member of the United Nations and the Union of South American Nations. A predominantly Roman Catholic, Portuguese-speaking, and multiethnic society, Brazil is also home to a diversity of wildlife, natural environments, and extensive natural resources in a variety of protected habitats.

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Indian of the Amazônia

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RegionsNorth

The North region covers 45.27% of the land area of Brazil, but has the lowest number of inhabitants. With the exception of Manaus, which hosts a tax-free industrial zone, and Belém, the biggest metropolitan area of the region, it is fairly unindustrialized and undeveloped. It accommodates most of the Amazon rainforest and many indigenous tribes.

Northeast

Central-West

Southeast

South

The Northeast region is inhabited by about 30% of Brazil's population. It is culturally diverse, with roots set in the Portuguese colonial period and in Amerindian and Afro-Brazilian elements. It is also the poorest region of Brazil, and suffers from long periods of drought. The largest cities are Salvador, Recife, andFortaleza.

The Central-West region has low demographic density when compared to the other regions, being only more densely populated than the North region. Part of its territory is covered by the world's largest wetland area, the Pantanal as well as a small part of the Amazon Rainforest in the northwest. However, most of the region is covered by the Cerrado, the world's largest savanna. The Central-West region contributes significantly towards the nation's agricultural output.

The Southeast region is by far the richest in terms of total economic output, and also the most densely populated region. It has a larger population than any South American country except Brazil itself, and hosts one of the largest megalopolises of the world, extending between the country's two largest cities: São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The region is very diverse, including the major business center of São Paulo, the historical cities of Minas Gerais and its capital Belo Horizonte, the third-largest metropolitan area in Brazil, the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, and the coast of Espírito Santo.

The South region is the wealthiest by GDP per capita and has the highest standard of living among the country's regions. It is also the coldest region of Brazil, with occasional frost and snow in some of the higher-altitude areas. It has been settled mainly by European immigrants, mostly of Italian, Germanand Portuguese ancestry, being clearly influenced by these cultures.

Amazonas River

Pelourinho - Bahia

Brasília

Rio de Janeiro

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Culture

Carnaval Rio de Janeiro Parade of the Samba schools

The festival of Carnival, with its spectacular street parades and vibrant music, has become one of the most potent images of Brazil; an annual celebration held forty days before Easter and marks the beginning of Lent. Carnival is celebrated throughout Brazil, with distinct regional characteristics, but the most spectacular celebrations outside Rio de Janeiro take place in Salvador, Recife, and Olinda, although the nature of the events varies. Other regional festivals include the Boi Bumbá and Festa Junina (June Festivals).

The June circuit in the Northeast of Brazil is one of the most famous and traditional around the world. Caruaru, in the State of Pernambuco, and Campina Grande, in Paraíba, dispute the title of best feast in the country. The first is known as the “capital of forró”, a popular dance and music, while the other as the “Biggest Saint John in the world”.

Oktoberfest – in October, the city of Blumenau enters into festivities, showing visitors from all over Brazil and the world its rich culture. With music, dance and typical cuisine, the party preserves the customs of German immigrants who settled in the region.

Caruaru

Oktoberfest Blumenau

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Typical foods

FeijoadaIngredients:800 grams of black beans250 grams of dried beef (“carne seca”)250 grams of salted pork ribs1 pork trotter1 pork tail (or ear)100 grams of smoked loin of pork80 grams of smoked bacon2 large pork sausages (“paio”)1 Portuguese sausage1 onion3 cloves of garlic1 soup spoon of olive oil2 bay leaves1 orange

Preparation

The night before, clean the port trotter and tail and soak them in cold water together with the already cleaned pork ribs. In a separate bowl, soak the dried beef cut into pieces. Change the water in each bowl at least four times.

Put the salted meats on the stove in a pan with plenty of water. Boil for 10 minutes, drain off the water, pour in clean water and cook. Use the same procedure for the dried beef, putting it to cook in a separate pan. When the meats are tender, but not shredded, drain off the water and cut the pork ribs into pieces. Set aside. Cut the “paio” and Portuguese sausage into thick slices, the smoked bacon into small cubes, and the smoked pork into medium-sized cubes. Place the bans in a large pan with a thick bottom. Add water, the bay leaves, and the orange cut in half, with the inner peel but without the outer peel.

After cooking for 45 minutes, add the salted and smoked meats, the dried beef, sausage and “paio.” Leave to cook for 20 more minutes. Remove two soup ladles of beans from the pan. Chop the onion and garlic finely. Sauté them, without letting the brown, in a skillet in the olive oil. Add the bean paste to the skillet and cook for two minutes. Return the entire mixture to the large pan, mix and taste for salt. Adjust the temperature as necessary and leave everything to cook 20 minutes more or until well cooked. Serve with white rice, sautéed kale, manioc meal. Accompanied by fresh orange slices. The meats can vary according to individual taste. It is very important that the oily build-up on the surface be skimmed off periodically while cooking.

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Typical foods

Cheese rolls(Pão de Queijo)

Ingredients:500 gr (1.1 lb) of fine cassava flour1 large cup of Milk4 tablespoons of sunflower oil or soya oilgenerous pinch of salt4 eggs200 gr (7 oz) of grated hard cheese (like Parmesan)

Cheese rolls (Pão de Queijo) are eaten all over Brazil at breakfast or as a snack. Traditionally, these are made of cassava flour instead of wheat flour. Except for that, these cheese rolls consist of eggs and cheese. If served warm, these rolls are crispy from the outside with soft dough on the inside.

PreparationThe night Preheat oven at 180˚C (gas 4-5 or 350°F).Sieve your cassavaflour if it is not fine. Bring the milk with the oil and the salt to a boil in a pan. Add the cassava flour while mixing. Allow to cool after it is mixed well. Next, stir in the eggs one by one and then the cheese. Mix well.

Grease your hands with some sunflower oil and form the dough into small balls. Put these in the oven on a non-sticking baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes. The rolls smell nice when ready. To be sure, test for doneness with a fork: if it comes out clean the cheese rolls are ready. Allow to cool sufficiently but serve warm.

BrigadeiroIngredients:1 tin sweetened condensed Milk2-3 Tablespoons Nestle Quick (or other chocolate powder)2 Tablespoons butterChocolate sprinklesTiny paper candy cups

Brigadeiro is a popular, easy-to-make, sweet enjoyed at Brazilian parties. It's simple, tasty anduses Brazil's favourite sweet ingredient: sweetened condensed milk. Yum!

PreparationCombine ingredients in a heavy pot and stir constantly over medium heat, bringing to a boil. Continue stirring two mintutes - or until mixture becomes so thick, you can't see the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat and carefully scoop hot mixture out of pot into a separate bowl to cool.Cool completely.Coat hands with butter and scoop out a teaspoon sized amount into the palm of your hand. Roll into a small ball, roll the ball in sprinkles and let rest in paper cup.

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Caipirinha is Brazil's national cocktail, made with cachaça, sugar and lime. Cachaça is Brazil's most common distilled alcoholic beverage. Like rum, it is made from sugarcane. Cachaçais made from sugarcane alcohol, obtained from the fermentation of sugarcane juice which is afterwards distilled.

Tradition

Football is the most popular sport in Brazil. The Brazilian national football team (Seleção) is currently ranked first in the world according to the FIFA World Rankings. They have been victorious in the World Cup tournament a record five times. Basketball, volleyball, auto racing, and martial arts also attract large audiences. Some sport variations have their origins in Brazil. Beach football, futsal (official version of indoor football) and footvolley emerged in the country as variations of football. In martial arts, Brazilians have developed Capoeira, Vale tudo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In auto racing, Brazilian drivers have won the Formula One world championship eight times: Emerson Fittipaldi in 1972 and 1974; Nelson Piquet in 1981, 1983 and 1987; and Ayrton Senna in 1988, 1990 and 1991.

The caipirinha is the national cocktail of Brazil, and is enjoyed in restaurants, bars, and many households throughout the country. Once almost unknown outside Brazil, the drink has become more popular and more widely available in recent years, in large part due to the rising availability of first-rate brands of cachaça outside Brazil.

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About me

I’m an only daughter of separated parents, and I live with my mother in a beautiful town called Blumenau, in the south of Brazil. Blumenau is a city of German influence, famous settling for its textile industry, its typical architecture and parties. The climate is well humid and the temperatures in the winter and the summer are rigorous.

My relationship of friendship with my parents is strong and confidence. Theyshowed me that education happens, mainly, for the example that you give to the children andnot only for what you only say.

My mother works at home as a dressmaker. We like to walk in the park together.

In my free time I loved to read books, to write my thoughts, to go to the movie theater, to hear some music, to surf on the Internet and to be with my family and friends. I like to travel in my country and discovered new places here and all over the world.

My dad live in Jaragua do Sul, neighboring city to Blumenau, and he visits me every week. He is a comercial employed. We loved to go to the movie theater and to dine out.

Host family

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Christopher and Tiffany

Ava and Isabella

Weston

3 and 5 years

10 months

Ophthalmologist and Dermatologist

Michigan

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Oakland Charter Township is a charter township of Oakland

County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is usually referred to as "Oakland Township". The population was 13,071 at the 2000 census. Rochester Community Schools serves a majority of the area, while Lake Orion Community Schools and Romeo Community Schools serve the rest.

"Rochester", or the "Rochester Area", are often used to describe Rochester, Oakland Township, and Rochester Hills. Although most residents refer to themselves as living in Rochester, rather than Oakland Township, and receive mail sent to a Rochester address.

Michigan is a Midwestern state of

the United States of America. It was named after Lake Michigan, whose name is a French adaptation of the Ojibwe term mishigama, meaning "large water" or "large lake".

Michigan is the eighth most populous state in the United States. It has the longest freshwater shoreline of any political subdivision in the world, being bounded by four of the five Great Lakes, plus Lake Saint Clair. In 2005, Michigan ranked third for the number of registered recreational boats, behind California and Florida. Michigan has 64,980 inland lakes. A person in the state is never more than six miles (10 km) from a natural water source, or more than 87.2 miles (140.3 km) from the Great Lakes coastline.

Michigan is the only state to consist entirely of two peninsulas. The Lower Peninsula, to which the name Michigan was originally applied, is often dubbed "the mitten" by residents, owing to its shape.

Rochester HillsLake Michigan

Activities

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Sunny days activities

Suggestions

Rainy days activities

Educational activities

• Ride the Bike• Gardening• Know other kids and play games like Hide and Seek• Musical Chairs• Make a picnic

• Drawings• Color books• Listen to stories• Play with trains that stimulate new creations• Bake up cakes and cookies

• Read books• Play sound games• Teach them about my country and other cultures