Piranguinho

Capital Nacional do Pé-de-Moleque

Pé-de-Moleque-  type of peanut candy
with a fudge-like consistency

<---Piranguinho is known for a sweet that it produces a lot of.


My first destination after landing in Brazil, was to the small city of Piranguinho where I was to begin my internship at CELIL's Immersion Course. The immersion course was enclosed within a fenced area and very nice! There were many resources available there to use: a pool, a soccer field, a volleyball court, a tennis court, a work-out room, a bbq pit, and hammocks. The compound held several different apartments where the students stayed during the week-long course. Some were shared rooms and others were individual. There was a guard posted near the entrance at all times and housekeeping came in to tidy your room during the day. My first week in Brazil was basically like staying at a hotel!

My boss actually lives there at the compound. His home is there among the many student apartments. Célio has dedicated much of his life to the English language, and many years in to the development of his CELIL school and English learning business. Talk about dedication, my boss lives where he works! He has no doubt invested a lot of time and money in to his schools, and this place where the Immersion Course takes place- is beautiful.

Two days after my arrival, the Immersion Course began around mid-day. Working adults from various states in southeast Brazil came to improve their English. Many of them had the course paid for by their companies, who had sent them there because their position in the company requires a certain level of English. Others came for self-improvement and/or possibly acquiring a promotion at their place of work. There was a good mix of people, who as I learned throughout the week, had fascinating lives. A few students were computer/cell phone app programers, others worked for international companies that have already enabled them the opportunity to travel. I met a couple that live south of Minas Gerais in Curitiba, and two cool guys that work for Heatcraft, whose North American headquarters are located in Stone Mountain, GA. There were two high school aged students there, and one man worked for an airplane manufacturer here in Brazil.

Célio and Candelle were the two professors giving classes. Candelle is from Australia, so I enjoyed hearing her accent and together we provided a good example of different English accents for the students. She was a good teacher, and is currently living in Rio de Janeiro with her husband. They met when he went to Australia via AIESEC, and she was working for the organization there. She took a big leap and moved back to Brazil with him once his trip came to an end. They plan to move back to Australia once he finishes his studies.

Candelle

Célio

The daily schedule was full of activities, breaks, and class. 

The food provided during the course was delicious.
For each meal there was a spread of good, local
food available. As in theme with the English learning, each plate or bowl of food had a little placard with the English name of that food.

Breakfast Grub

The students from different areas and states of Brazil, commented on how much they liked or missed eating the type of food that was served. Different regions have different cuisine. For example, the typical cheese [queijo de Minas] and beans (pinto beans instead of black beans) are different here than what is typical in other places.

Socializing before lights out

During the week I performed various tasks: one-on-one interviews, wake-up calls, video recording, taking photos, participated in group activities and debates, and even gave a presentation on Georgia (because not too many Brazilians know where Georgia is exactly). Haha. Before leaving the States, I went by Lane's Southern Orchards and bought some peach candies to bring with me. They served as a nice component to the presentation I gave, and helped me explain my state's nickname, "The Peach State."

The week ended with a churrasco (Brazilian bbq). [More info on the "Food" page] It was a fun time, that capped a great week of learning and networking. However, it was a bittersweet event for Célio as he announced to us that after much thinking and contemplation, he would have to discontinue the Immersion Course. So our group was one of the last to go through that type of course, after many years of having this week-long program in Piranguinho. Célio informed me that he still has plans for the grounds there. For the Celil school in Itajubá, he can host weekend events for students to participate in. The two upcoming events that I know of are "English Weekend" and "Adventure Weekend." We will see how those go! I enjoyed living in Piranguinho with all of the nice facilities within the compound. I look forward to returning and working the weekends Célio has planned there.

Eu com dois caras legais: Edy e Mateus