Post 3 - Heliene Silva

Once upon a time there was a lonly girl sitting by the edge of the Hudson Rive to watch the sunset; she used to go there every single day, she used to have some minutes on her own, she used to wonder about how could bridges conect so many places and people... that girl was me.
My favorite place the first time I came to NYC  was a bench by the Hudson, I couldn't stop stering at the Brooklin Bridge from down there, but I can't say now why I haven't  ever tried to cross that way.
This time was quite different: I finally have crossed the Brooklyn Bridge! It's winter, very windy and very cold, but the colors, lights, sounds and the whole moviment over there were so exciting that just after this view of the city I could really feel conected to the Big Apple.

Post 2 - Heliene Silva

I really believe that people must visit as much museums as it is possible in their lives. There's no doubt that a museum experience will teach you more than any lecture, movies or paper; it's a very effective way to learn anything you want. Museums inspire - they provide singular reinterpretations over time.
And if a person can ever have the thrill of a life inside a museum, it would be at the American Museum of Natural History, a magic place. We can see many differents exhibitions of a suite of subjects and from different pespectives. I particulary love the exhibition named PEOPLE OF THE WORLD, because I've always loved learning about where we've came from and where we are going - actually, it was exactly where I spend a long time of my visit at the AMNH.
All the animals I could see, the readings I could taste and the experience I had were fascinating. To visit AMNH was a pretty impressive moment here in NYC, and I would recommend everyone to visit it and have a very nice time in there.

POST 7 - Rosely Leite - VOLUNTEERING

Hello everybody!!!
Nice to be here again in this blog sharing the experiences we have had in New York City. I would like to thank all the PDPI staff which organized schedule program.The last one I participate was the volunteering work in Staten Island, in  City Harvest's Mobile Market, which distribute thousands of pounds of fresh food for hunger people in New York City.
There are millions of people in the USA who face hunger every year. City Harvest`s Mobile Market  collect food from  restaurants in New York City, receive donations from farmers, wholesalers, greenmarkets as well. Then they select the food and distribute to the community food programs in the city.
I am so proud of myself to make part of this great cause to help people. I could donate my time to those ones who sometimes don`t have a bread to eat. 

Post 4 - Miranda

Hi, PDPI folks!

Last week, I took part in a volunteering work group called Harvest Market, in Astoria, Queens. My colleagues from St John's University and I packed, weighed and distributed vegetables, fruits and potatoes to low income people of that neighborhood. It was such a rewarding experience. First, because you can help improve other people's lives, and secondly, because you can interact with students from other universities, from New York City and out of it. In my group I had students from different parts of the world: a Vietnamese, a Chinese, two American girls and a classmate guy from Brazil. Certainly, this kind of project help us to do group work and to more opened to others point of view and experiences of other people.  According to the volunteer leader, the main objective of the work is to provide healthy food for the population, including those suffering from chronic diseases; such as diabetes, high blood pressure. For most of them the daily processed and fast food meals can cause even more health problems. So, "the ultimate goal is to help develop healthy eating habits among the elderly and youngsters".          

Volunteering Post - Miranda

Hi, PDPI folks!

Last week, I took part in a volunteering work group called Harvest Market, in Astoria, Queens. My colleagues from St John's University and I packed, weighed and distributed vegetables, fruits and potatoes to low income people of that neighborhood. It was such a rewarding experience. First, because you can help improve other people's lives, and secondly, because you can interact with students from other universities, from New York City and out of it. In my group I had students from different parts of the world: a Vietnamese, a Chinese, two American girls and a classmate guy from Brazil. Certainly, this kind of project help us to do group work and to more opened to others point of view and experiences of other people.  According to the volunteer leader, the main objective of the work is to provide healthy food for the population, including those suffering from chronic diseases; such as diabetes, high blood pressure. For most of them the daily processed and fast food meals can cause even more health problems. So, "the ultimate goal is to help develop healthy eating habits among the elderly and youngsters".          

DEUS - Post 6

Hello Everyone,
It is time to thank all the PDPI professors and coordinators for everything they have done in order to give us support to teach our students in Brazil,which includes motivating them to learn English, as well as, give the students some tools to understand the process of learning a new language.
I would like to thank all the professors at ST. John's, specially Ann Marie Tamayo, who was my teacher in the English Refinement Classes during six weeks and gave me knowledge about the American culture and the English language itself.
Special thanks to professor Aaron Royer, who sent me hundreds of  Emails in the beginning of this program and gave all his best to make everything to be all right.
I would like to express my thankfulness for everyone who has made this program become a reality.

POST 5 Rosely Leite - The International High School at LaGuardia Community College

As an English teacher, I wish I could know the reality of a high school in the USA one day. I’ve already read about the American Educational System.  Fortunately this opportunity arrived in my life. St. John’s University, Language Connection Intensive English Program - Brazilian Teacher made my will come true. We went to visit on February 14^th, 2014, the International High School at LaGuardia Community College, in New York City. It was a great experience, maybe the best one.

The International High School at LaGuardia Community College has been known in New York as a Center of Excellence for their work in English communication arts. It  admitted students from different nationalities. In fact, the students who have been living in New York fewer than four years may have the opportunity to attend classes there. They must be limited English proficient as well.  I met students from many countries there. All mixed in the same classes. They are prepared to do the New York State ELA exam. At least four years they must stay attending classes in the school.

I loved what I see. A great school with great friendly teachers. All the Brazilian teachers could make an overview of the school and interact with the students in the classroom. We visited four classrooms.  I could observe the teachers’ methodology in each class and how the students are involved in their portfolio projects. We attended Game Design, Social Studies and Global Studies classes. 

DEUS- Post 5

Hello everyone,
 Feb. 18th was a great day to me.I went to volunteer with City Harvest . Its purpose is to end hunger in communities throughout new York City.
As part of PDPI program we engaged in this volunteer services which was grateful and rewarding. The City harvest receives donation from vendors and farmers during the year and it is given to families who really need it. I am very proud of doing this kind of work. this is going to be unforgettable.

Nascimento - Volunteering

Hi, everyone!

 On Tuesday we went to the Queens do volunteer work. Arriving at City Harvest's Mobile Market we heard about the importance of volunteering and my heart sank to hear that many families would have their only meal that day because of our help.

I never imagined that in such a prosperous country like The United States there could be so many hungry people. So, it gave us a greater motivation to do well the work that we were asked: separating and bagging sweet potatoes. We were all very motivated and finished up ahead of schedule.

This experience was very valuable because it is very good to know that you are useful in society, which is not just being one more in the multitude, that maybe because of your help many families would not go to bed hungry. We took the time to practice the language more, because there were other Americans working with us. All worked together as a team! It was fantastic!

It is important to note that volunteering is not limited to donating material things. We can and should donate our time and knowledge. In this sense, as English teachers we can help those who want learn more English but cannot pay to study in an English course. So, after having participated in the PDPI program at St. Jonh’s university we are more able to do a good job.

Even working in a very poor neighborhood in Brazil, we always do campaigns to help the needy and everyone participates. One that has a little more shares with those who have nothing. It was not for nothing that God has left us the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. And in that sense I intend to continue doing these types of volunteer work because it only helps us grow as citizens.

Post 6 – Araujo

Hi, everybody.

Last Friday, on February 14th, Valentine`s day we went to see an amazing exhibition: I heart Ice Sculpture. People have much creativity here. Ice artisans from Okamoto studio transformed blocks of ice into awesome and beautiful Valentine`s day themed sculptures. It was great to take pictures with ice sculptures, so different. The exhibition was in the financial center near our university in Manhattan.A good place to visit with your partner in this special day.

See you

Freitas - Post 6

Hello, everyone!

This is my sixth post and I am already longing for all this. It is true that the desire to be with family is immense, but it is also true that these six weeks of PDPI were wonderful and will be unforgettable.

Well, last Friday, I had the privilege to get close to an art show in the form of ice sculptures: the "I Heart Ice Sculpture" display, by Okamoto Studio! Never seen anything like that, because in the city where I live it would be impossible to imagine because of the extreme heat.

I was very impressed with the talent and the perfection of the artists who refined the ice and turned into works of art!

Thanks, God, for this opportunity! Thank you, PDPI! Thanks, St. John's! THANKS, NEW YORK!!!

Sinval - volunteering

Visiting City Harvest's Mobile Market was a valuable experience for me, because every time you do something to help someone, without charging anything or even receiving money or a gift, you feel useful and responsible for someone's happiness.

From volunteering a person can learn how to be generous and love an unknown person without creating any financial expectation. It is also a good moment to reflect about your own conditions, because it could be you, needing a help.

Volunteering work included in the PDPI program is, in fact, an excellent extra- activity, not only because the members develop a brotherly spirit and love of neighbor, but also to expand the target language through experience in loco: lecture, procedure explanation, and integration with other volunteering workers.

I have experienced volunteering with my students in an English course I work at. Every year the institution promotes a cultural Saturday: dance, song, and theater. The entrance ticket is a food donation. I think that, instead of staying at home, doing nothing and feeling depression, why not volunteering?

Araujo - Volunteering

Hi, everybody.

Last Tuesday we went to Queens to do volunteering work.

Help people is always valuable, it`s always good to know you are contributing with other people`s life, sometimes with a word, a donation or food.

Any person can learn that no one can waste food, because while some people are wasting food other people don`t have what to eat, they are hungry.

In this day we put potatoes in bags to be donated to poor families, but another group of people will hand them over to these families.

I believe that in Brazil we can do projects like this to teach our students to support people who need help.

It was a very good experience, we had fun.

See you.

Souza Post 6

This week I would like to share my first experience on seeing Lion King Musical. Well, there are no words that convey the meaning for what I felt when the show started. The customs the artist wore, the way they sang and danced all Lion King Movie songs were spectacular. Can you imagine the Lion King story being told in a musical!! Well, and the giraffes, they were such a dreaming, beautiful, elegant walking on the stage… And the scenery, perfect…perfect…

Well, but  it was after a tempestuous situation …

 

 

First, I thought it was very easy to see the show because in my opinion it was a little bit expensive, but when we decided going, I was disappointed because the cheapest tickets were sold out. So we had to look for tickets on the internet, and I started being desperate because there were fewer available places during that week.

However, after checking again on the internet we noticed there were about thirty available tickets. As fast as we could, we took the subway and went to buy the tickets. After taking them in our hands we had lunch in a fantastic place called Hard Rock Café.

Well, it was exactly two o´clock the show began. Imagine a crowded theater, many kids with their parents. They had fun and so do we. Kids laughed a lot, because it was funny. We loved it!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Post 6 - Nascimento

On 02/14/14 I visited the National Museum of the American Indian. It was a good experience to learn a little bit more about them, especially about The Lenape (the native tribe from Manhattan). This beautiful museum has one of the most extensive collections of Native American arts and artifacts in the world. There, I saw old Indians pieces and a magnificent exhibition of George Morrison. He was an American Indian painter and sculptor who is known for landscape paintings and wood collage sculptures. It was another amazing place I met here in New York.

Final Post - Oliveira (Volunteer Work)

                                       Packing Potatoes up!

Yes! We had a blast helping the City Harvest.

Some of the PDPI teachers got engaged in a different activity yesterday. We had the chance to go to a company that receives donated food and delivers it to poor families in New York City. It was hard work! And thanks to the coordinator of the company, the job was done properly. First, she gave us some information about the company and the vision of it. Then, she took the group to a huge room where there were pins of potatoes ready to be packed into household size. Everyone got busy sorting and packing the sweet potatoes.  It was amazing how everyone was engaged and happy. The coordinator mentioned, “I’ve never seen such enthusiastic people doing volunteer work. You, people, should come more often.”

I think everyone can do something to help the needy. If you have the opportunity – do not hesitate.

FINAL POST - ROBERT LIMA

                                                            Last post - Robert liMA

Working as a volunteer and helping people getting food was something beyond physical activity.
There, at City harvest, we were taught how that food ends up in New York, who provides it, and especifically the purpose of that event.
We learned a lot, especially why that work was important and how much healthy food is not consumed by americans.
Our job was to separate and pack the sweet potatoes so that low- income families would have a chance to grab a scack of them.
This task was made with so much enthusiasm and every person in that room had a chance to make a difference in someone's life.
Apparently , there was a little competition among the groups, but , by far , the most victorious ones are the people who will receive those sacks of sweet potatoes, and we who participate of it , will never feel as much full of spiritual pride as that day.

Post 7 - Macedo dos Santos

We are in the last week. PDPI has changed the way I think about teaching and learning English. I came thinking that wasn't possible having communicative English classes in a public school. Now, I know that listening and speaking are important skills to include in our curricula. Before I priorized only Reading skill. So, as a teacher since 1993, after I have spending six weeks in this wonderful city, I feel more prepared to be a better person and professional. I go back to Brazil seeing new possibilities to apply to my students what I learned here through Blog and Weebly site and make difference in their lives. I'm much motivated and inspirated! Thanks classmates, thanks teachers, thanks Aaron and staff for this important and valuable experience in my life!

Volunteering_Paula Janaina

Volunteering at City Harvest

What a nice thing is to help the others without expecting anything. That´s the reason why, the volunteer work exists for...

This afternoon, We had the chance to warm-up our hearts and spend some time to do a good action: The City Harvest Volunteering!

The City Harvest is an institution that help poor families, through food donation. It´s a big space where volunteers get, separate and distribute fruits and vegetables.  

Among the PDPI Teachers I could see how good is to help, to cooperate and to share good vibrations...one of the best days here in NY!

Post 6-Gomes_Paula Janaina

School Observation

We had the chance to visit The International High School at La Guardia last Friday.

The School receives students from diferente countries. The Culture aspects are respected and English is taught as a second language within a context, which makes the students to improve the four abilities.

The teachers are prepared to receive these students and use technology associated to the speaking skills and they usually work in groups, since they have few students in the classroom.

It´s a very different reality for me, that work with a large number of students in the classroom, in spite of this, it was inspiring to see the way the teachers conduct the activities, I hope I can put some ideas into practice in my country. 

 

Post 4 Bezerra - Volunteering

   Today I took part in a volunteering work group in Queens, New York. I packed root vegetables to low income people of New York city. This experience was amazing! I was able to help many families' lives. I think a service-learning Project like this make every student develop his language skills because we know other students and make new friends - I will try to do a simple volunteering Project with my pupils in Brazil.

Post 5-Gomes_Paula Janaina

The Phantom of the Opera

A disfigured musical genius, hidden away in the Paris Opera House, terrorizes the opera company for the unwitting benefit of a young protégée whom he trains and loves....

That´s the most famous musical of Broadway of all times! I´ve Always liked musicals.

On October, 10th I´ve made a Project called Broadway Night at Escola Nossa Senhora do Sagrado Coração, it´s a catholic school. We celebrated the School 50th anniversary with the ten most famous musicals of the last five decades.

One of them was The Phantom of the Opera...

I had never had the opportunite to go to Broadway Theater, but I rehearsed and prepared the Lesson Plan Project based on the main lyrics of the musicals, vídeos and scenes.

It was amazing!

The PDPI gave the chance to see The Phantom of The Opera.

I cried a lot... I remembered everything that happened...my english studies, the difficulties to make the test and the victory...

Adolfo - Post 6

Today we had lots of fun volunteering at City Harvest Queens. After a quick presentation by our host, Whitney, who indeed spoke fast, but very clearly though, we were instructed in how to pack sweet potatoes for the hungry of New York City.

Then, It was made up three groups and soon the City Harvest staff were really surprised by the Brazilian cheerfulness at the task.

We, Brazilians, are well known by our competitiveness. So, our team started to cheer up at every empty container and every full box with 80 packs of sorted potatoes in order to tease [in the good way] the other teams. Even the non Brazilians in our group were soon contaminated. And the other teams got the spirit!

In the end, we were all winners because everybody worked so hard and we managed to reach our goal, which was beyond the staff's initial expectation. Actually, we managed to pack all the sweet potatoes available in the facility today in little more than two hours. GOOD JOB!

Post 7 - Sousa, Leonario Antonio

Volunteering: A real way to feel good things in a life that goes fast!

Today  was a especial day in my life  I worked hard as a volunteer in the City Harvest but I am not tired of that. It was so important to feel that  a lot of people need a help in their lives. This world would be better if everyone gave a hand to the close people. Our prime purpose in this life is to help others  and one by one will able to change this world. February 28, 2014 this date will keep in my mind forever. And remember you: Kindness like a boomerang. Always returns!

Post 5 - Guerreiro

This was our 5th week in New York City and finally I had a taste of the American Education system in a public teens school - we went to a morning observation visit at LAGUARDIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
I WAS AMAZED! It is completely diferente from my reallity of everyday teach life and ambience. The school is so beautiful, very cozzy and so interesting for its students that I felt kind of envy of their organization. I wish Brazil could offer the same chance the U.S.A. gives to the people who live in this country.
I know that not all schools here are the same - technology, space, and organization change from school to school as well as it happens in Brazil - in spite of that, I still felt very excited to get back to Brazil and share all this experence with my students and co-workers.

Post 4 - Guerreiro

I don't know if it is the winter or the whole memories we will always have about that sad day. I don't know if it is the so hard security Americans show all the time or the very way they designed the place... But all I could affirm about the visit I've made to the 9/11 Memorial is that it was a quite special moment I had in NYC - delicate, full of emotion and still that sad.
It was extremely windy by the end of that afternoon, too cold and lots of people from all over the world walking aroud, taking pictures, some praying and others just reflecting about that all. The big 2 giant structures once there, are now beautiful pools with hundreds of names, lost lives that families will never forget.  It was a single moment when I could come back in time and remember how was life before it all, and conect to my life in here now.

Post 3 - Guerreiro

THE INCREDIBLE CENTRAL PARK

I am from a tropical country and the very first time I saw a snow storm here in New York City it scared me a lot. However, after a month resisting theses crazy low temperatures I'm kind of getting used to it. I've leatned how to appreciate the beauty in all this, try to understand how life goes on during the winter months and enjoy this moments in every detail.
People usually say that Central Park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in New York City - now I bet it is. The Central Park was different every visit I've made, and that is exactaly what caught my eyes. The architecture and nature mach so kindly that we would forget about time and life problems in there.
Experts assured that this winter was one of the most severe winters New York City had in the lates 2 decades... and by being here now I could walk throughout the Central Park conpletely white, full of snow, its lake iced and few lives on the trees. The first picture was kind of sad for me, but now it turned out a magic set of textures and colors. No one would ever be disappointed after a few steps around the Park.

Guerreiro - Volunteering

We live in a world full of problems that even if governments and professionals try to meet people's need, they would never do: the world would never be perfect for everybody.
Volunteering is one way to try to help the world we live in, one learns how to make the difference to the people's lives who don't have a better oportunity.
City Harvest's Mobile Market was a chance to gain new languages skills, knowledge and a unique experience. I could felt valued while making part of a team, and that's what is really worth in all these: doing voluntering work to benefit others you gain much more than you give.
Maybe, by the time I get back to Brazil, I could engage my students into a volunteering project. My city is suffering a lot with the most harmful flooding ever, so that there are many people who need help and it can be a nice chance to start a volinteering project at my school.

Post 5  - Araujo

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN

 

Hi, guys.

      On February 7th, we went to the National Museum of the American Indian and it was so good to know the history of the American Indian.  It was so interesting see their clothes, instruments, tools and other objects. The collection includes more than 800,000 objects, as well as a photographic archive of 125,000 images. There we also knew the American Indian George Morrison, a painter and sculptor who did awesome artworks. We didn`t take pictures in this part because it`s prohibited. What a pity, it`s a beautiful work. 

 See you soon.

POST 5 - LISBOA

After waking through slippery paths, observing the trees that just seemed to be dead without their leaves, taking many pictures, getting so excited to see the ground covered with snow, I wondered if there's a season in which The Central Park is more beautiful. I wasn't sure about that, but I was really sure that in the Winter the park is amazing.

How great it was to contemplate the beauty of the old and modern buildings that surround the area.  The natural landscape merges with the concrete landscape and they form a splendid scenery. Now I can say I know why it is the most visited urban park in the United States.

I'll never forget The Beautiful and White Central Park.