Winter Program in Salvador - 2008
The colonial city of Salvador, Bahia
This two-week program will focus on the rich culture and fascinating history of Brazil's first Capital. For almost 500 years, Salvador has witnessed the blending of European, African and Amerindian cultures that contribute to make Brazil probably the most diverse nation on earth. More than anywhere else in the New World, the cultural roots of its African heritage are present in the daily lives of Salvador's population.
This program will spend a week in the fabulous city of Salvador, a United Nations World Heritage city known for its Baroque architecture, historical sites, museums, as well as music, dance and arts, and a week on the island of Tinharé, known for its natural beauty and as an ecological sanctuary.
The program is open to all prospective students interested in Brazilian culture and the Portuguese language. The program will last from December 27, 2007 to January 11, 2008. The following course will be offered: POR 394 - Brazilian Culture (3 credits)
Salvador da Bahia
The program will begin with three days in Salvador, visiting the Pelourinho, the old city center, with its fortresses, convents, museums and historic churches, as well as the winding cobblestone streets alive with restaurants, artesanal shops, and dance and capoeira academies. We will also explore aspects of Afro-Brazilian culture that relate to religion, spirituality and the arts - such as camdomblé and umbanda, as well as the concept of axé and the influence of musical forms such as afoxé, forró and, of course, samba, on the lives of the people.
On December 30 we will take a scooner for a four-hour boat trip to the island of Tinharé. This is a fascinating part of Brazil, mixing the quiet exuberance of nature's best tropical beaches and costal forests with the excitement of a world-class tourist destination. We will return to Salvador on January 8.
Tinharé Island
This destination is perhaps better known by the name of its largest village: Morro de São Paulo. This is one of the most famous landscapes of Bahia, and it attracts people from all over the world for the charming beauty of its crystal water, white sand beaches and unspoiled natural attractions.
View of Morro de São Paulo, from the lighthouse
We will initially go to the small fishing village of Garapuá, known for its coral reefs and fishing, where we will stay for 5 days. Since this will be during the January 1holiday, program participants may want to take the one-hour ride by tractor cart (see picture below, the only local ground transportation) to Morro de São Paulo for its exciting nightlife and famous New Year celebrations. Tinharé is an ecological sanctuary and no cars are permitted on the island. That is why people travel by tractor cart, or horseback, or on foot.
On January 4, the program will move to Morro de São Paulo, known for its beaches, as well as its history - including the ruins of an ancient fort built in 1630. The island's most characteristic landmark is the lighthouse (picture below); from where one has a panoramic view of all the beaches and of most of the island.
The beaches at Morro de São Paulo are named by ordinal number, starting from the lighthouse, the First Beach (primeira praia), Second Beach (segunda praia), etc, each more remote and less frequented then the preceding. Boat tours, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling activities are available but not included in the program cost. Much of the Island of Tinharé consists of tropical mangroves (mangues) that support exuberant flora and fauna. On January 8 the group will return to Salvador for more historical and cultural insight.
Classes and excursions will be held daily. Students will have lectures on subjects relating to the Portuguese language and Brazilian culture.
The estimated cost of the program is $1790. This includes room and board, meals, local transportation, excursions and entrance fees. It does not cover air transportation to Salvador, ASU tuition or other individual expenses. Registration deadline: October 30 2007
For more information:
Clarice Deal - Room LL 419 C - Phone: (480) 965-6401 - Email: Clarice(at)asu.edu
Cascais - Summer Program in Portugal 2006. This is a link to my page on Clarice's Summer Program in Cascais. In 2006 I had the pleasure of joining the Portuguese Language Summer Program group for an exciting week. It was an interesting experience, and very educational. If you are going to the Lisbon area, then as far as I am concerned the little village of Cascais is the place to stay. It is small, quiet, historic, scenic and well localized - and only a 30 minute (18 miles) train ride away from downtown Lisboa, the Capital of Portugal.
Page updated: September 2006