What activities will we do on this program?
You will be involved in a variety of activities throughout your time in Brazil… During the first week, in addition to Portuguese language classes, you will take samba, percussion, Capoeira and cooking workshops in Salvador. After a two-day river voyage up the Rio Negro, you’ll participate in a wide range of activities in the Amazon at the Xixuau-Xiparina Reserve including sustainable agriculture service projects, nature hikes through the jungle, swimming, fishing, playing soccer and wildlife canoe tours. In Rio you’ll visit a favela and the Christ the Redeemer Statue. [Back to Top] |
What will I learn on this trip?
The academic focus of this program is sustainable resource management and cultural studies. You will learn about traditional Brazilian cultures, basic Portuguese, Capoeira and Brazilian history. In the Amazon, you’ll focus on the sustainable use of local resources within the reserve and community development projects. [Back to Top] |
What will the academics be like?
Because Amazon Expedition is accredited by Lesley University as a college level course, you can expect to participate in academic activities such as lectures, workshops and service work. This program requires completion of exams, short essays, a journal, and a service project. The academic work is designed to include both experiential and traditional learning, so while you will spend some mornings in a classroom participating in an interactive lecture and discussion, you will also spend a significant amount of time on hands-on activities (samba, capoeira, percussion). Students should be prepared to fully participate in the academics, regardless of whether or not they want to receive academic credit. All academic assignments are Academic Treks course requirements. [Back to Top] |
How do I get high school or college credit for this program?
In the fall after program, Academic Treks will provide you with a transcript, as well as a letter detailing the course curriculum for your high school administrator. Most schools accept the credit after reviewing this course packet. Each academic institution has its own requirements, however, so we can't guarantee your school will accept the credit. We recommend asking for approval from your school administrator prior to program. You can also earn college credit for this course through Lesley University for an additional fee. To learn more about the school credit options, call us at 888-833-1907. [Back to Top] |
Is there a language prerequisite for Amazon Expedition?
No. You will learn some survival Portuguese during your time in Salvador. [Back to Top] |
What community service will we do on this program?
We will work with the communities in the Xixua-Xiparina Reserve on projects including the community farm, making jewelry from the natural resources found in the Amazon, teaching English and participating in ongoing biological surveys to establish a baseline. Students help in every aspect of harvesting manioc (picking, gathering, peeling, pressing, grating, and roasting) to make farinha, which is the staple carbohydrate in the rural communities of Brazil. Working alongside the local community members gives us the opportunity to develop meaningful friendships and gain insights into their culture. We will be engaged in physical labor for most of the day for one week of the program. You can expect to earn around 35 hours of community service credit. [Back to Top] |
Where will we sleep?
In Salvador, we’ll stay in a local hacienda. On the Rio Negro, we’ll sleep in hammocks on our boat. In the Amazon basin, we’ll spend our nights in a maloca, a traditional hut with bedrooms, bathrooms and an open area just across the river from the village. One night, we’ll camp out in the Amazon under the rainforest canopy. [Back to Top] |
What will we eat?
Throughout the trip, we will be eating traditional Latin fare, consisting mainly of rice, beans, some meat, fish, chicken, pasta, breads, vegetables and fresh fruits. [Back to Top] |
How will we get around the country?
We cover a lot of ground in Brazil and use several modes of transportation including flying, vans, taxis and riverboats. [Back to Top] |
Will I be able to call home from this program?
It is relatively easy to email and to make calls home from Salvador. You will not be able to call home during the Amazon portion of the program, however. In the spring you’ll receive a Travel Packet with the most up-to-date information regarding recommended calling cards. [Back to Top] |
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