CBIC
Consultoria Brasileira de Intercâmbio CulturalMarcelo Roque:
"My name is Marcelo, I am 29, from São Paulo - Brazil, a lawyer, and this is
the first time I´ve done a cultural exchange. I studied in Canada for
1 month (09/2000) and for those who are reading this endorsement I
would like leave some lines about my experience:
I have no other word but wonderful: the country is pretty, organized, clean, with nice and helpful people. With only one bus ticket, that´s valid for an entire month, you can get the bus within anywhere in Hamilton as often as you like.
It´s important to always remember that you are in another country, because the culture, the food, and the customs are different than in our country. And it was this that I liked the most, I mean experiencing new things, new people, making new friends and seeing many places.
In the school where I studied, I had total support from the teachers, they were professional and really concerned with helping me learn properly. I study English in Brazil, but the fact of "breathing" English is completely different, because it´s not only what you learn in the school that counts, but mainly living together with Canadians day by day.
English was my only form of communication with people from all over the world that I became friends with, among them: Germans, Indians, Polish, Koreans, Chinese, Venezuelans, Iranians, and of course born Canadians. So you have no choice but to speak English in any situation.
Regarding accommodation, I had the satisfaction of staying with Mrs. Linda Bennett, who is a great cook, and an extraordinary person, always ready to say "How can I help you?", as well as using hand gestures of course!
I visited many places, among them I emphasize the city of Niagara Falls (Movieland, Botanic Garden, Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood and obviously the falls that are really pretty!), Webster's Falls in the city of Dundas, Toronto (Royal Ontario Museum, Chinatown, CN Tower, Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood) and cities neighbouring Hamilton such as Dundas and Stoney Creek.
In Hamilton I watched a hockey game (Hamilton Bulldogs), American football (Hamilton Tiger Cats), rock concert by Kiss (Last Kiss), and I also went to pubs, one of the best was an Irish pub.
When you go, don´t forget to take along photos of Brazil to show also how our country is beautiful, because some people have only heard about Carnival, soccer and the Amazon. Go with the thought in mind of having new and different experiences. I´m sure you will have many because to me they were so enjoyable that I would like to return next year.
I could not conclude without thanking CBIC and Sulivan who gave me all the necessary support, and then some, from advice concerning getting my visa when I was in Brazil and after my arrival in the Toronto airport to the moment I left Canada.
While I was in Canada, Sulivan helped me with everything, from how to make a cheaper phone call to Brazil, to negotiating prices with Canadians, which was very valuable for me.
To Sulivan and Linda I leave a hug and many thanks for making these weeks unforgettable: See you next year guys!!!"
Marcelo Roque.
