Amazon-Brazil 2013 Fellowship

Applications for the US-Brazil Connect Macapá  2013 Fellowship are now closed.  

Thank you to the tremendously strong pool of applicants; we are reviewing applications and will be scheduling interviews for semi-finalists soon!

Program Overview

We are looking for strong fellowship candidates (college students, recent graduates, and/or young professionals) who have the drive and desire to thrive in the US-Brazil Connect Fellowship Program. The US-Brazil Connect Conexão Mundo/World Connection Program links US Fellows and Brazilian middle school students in a transformative cross-cultural learning experience. Selected Fellows prepare for and serve in a coaching and facilitation role designed to create a fun English immersion environment for Brazilian middle school students. US Fellows build skills in global leadership, explore Brazil, and create life-changing relationships. They must be available to be in Macapa, Brazil, which is located on the Amazon Delta, from November 30 through December 20, 2013.

US-Brazil Connect Fellows serve as ambassadors of the US and come from a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds. On the ground in Brazil, Fellows receive lodging, meals, local transportation, and insurance coverage. Fellows are paid a stipend in exchange for their program leadership. US-Brazil Connect is supported by the Brazilian Confederation of Industry and the U.S. Embassy in Brazil.

Discover Your Future

It’s not study abroad, a tour, or typical travel to Brazil. It’s a challenging and rewarding fellowship, providing a deep experience in the real world of global leadership. You do not need to speak Portuguese and you do not need to have teaching experience. You must be prepared to work hard, solve problems in unfamiliar surroundings, overcome cross-cultural and language barriers, and contribute to building a supportive community.  You represent your community and will gain:

  • Knowledge and in-depth experience of Brazil:  You learn about Brazil, the world’s 6th largest economy, through study prior to departure, intense interaction, a weekend workshop, and a 3-week immersion in Brazil.
  • Learn and practice global leadership skills in action: You participate in a paid fellowship, serving as a coach, mentor, and facilitator to a group of 12-15 Brazilian middle school students who want practice and exposure to native speakers to improve their English. You receive support and training for your role as a tutor and coach. Online tutoring and coaching using Facebook is for 4 weeks prior to travel and 4 weeks after your return. Travel to Brazil from November 29th through December 20th.
  • Immersion, global leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving: True global leadership begins with direct experience of living, working and learning outside the United States.  You will work and live in Brazil for a 3-week period of intense interaction and learning with Brazilian students. Previous individuals who have served as US-Brazil Connect Fellows report the experience does more than build skills and knowledge about Brazil—it inspires leadership, character development, self-discovery and service.
  • Connections, networks and community: You will build new networks, create relationships and see first-hand how global trends in innovation and technology are reshaping the world.

The application process is designed to identify participants with high potential as authentic leaders, effective agents of change, problem-solvers, and dedicated team builders.

Students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Outstanding Fellows in 2012 and earlier in 2013 came from a wide range of disciplines including computer science, engineering, education, visual arts, and pre-law.

For more information, contact the US-Brazil Connect Macapá Program Coordinator, Kerri-Ann Appleton  ([email protected]).

 

Why Brazil?

Brazil is emerging as a key economic player globally.  Ten years ago, economists identified four countries that were poised to emerge as major economic forces in the global economy:  Brazil, Russia, India, and China.  At the time, these “BRIC” countries were contributing 16% of the world’s gross domestic product growth.  Since the global crisis of 2008, this figure has soared to 45%.[i]  Today, Brazil is the world’s 6th largest economy. Per-capita income is nearly twice that of China.

Brazil’s rise is expected to continue. The World Cup in 2014 and the 2016 Olympics are estimated to attract investments of roughly $550 billion between 2011 and 2014[ii]. In 2007, oil deposits below a layer of salt in the Atlantic Ocean were confirmed to hold enough oil to turn Brazil into one of the world’s top five crude oil producers.

Most importantly, from 2003 to 2008, over 27 million people in this country of 200 million have moved from poverty into Brazil’s middle class. Due to the increasing purchasing power of a growing middle class, Brazil is projected to become the fifth largest consumer market by 2030 when it will be worth over US$2.5 trillion, ahead of the UK and France. Brazil is already the world’s third largest market for mobile phones, the fifth largest for vehicles and computers, and the eighth largest for higher education.

Given the emerging role of Brazil as an economic power, a cultural leader, and a source of innovation and creativity, it is imperative that higher education institutions prepare students for meaningful engagement with Brazil. The US-Brazil Connect Partnership for Skills Program, of which the Fellowship opportunity is a part, provides this specific, substantive experience for students in order to develop global leadership skills.

 

Brazilian Partners

The US-Brazil Connect Conexão Mundo/World Connection Program is supported by a very strong institutional partner in Brazil, the Confederation of Industry (CNI). The Confederation is the preeminent Brazilian business association, with over a thousand employer associations in all 26 states of Brazil. Supported by a 2.5% payroll tax, the Confederation operates the SENAI and SESI education and training system which comprise the largest technical training network in Latin America, enrolling over 7 million students annually in 797 schools and technical institutes throughout Brazil.

The CNI is investing in this partnership as a means to support education for technology students, thereby strengthening the Brazilian workforce to meet the demands of a rapidly growing economy. The implementation partners, SENAI and SESI, provide all the necessary coordination and logistical support on the Brazilian side. In addition, their support covers accommodation, food, local travel and a stipend for all US-Brazil Connect Fellows.

This program will be in Macapá, Brazil, which is located on the Atlantic Ocean in Northeastern Brazil.

What do US-Brazil Connect Fellows do?

  • Participate in a hybrid online and in-person program that prepares you to travel to Brazil. The program emphasis is on Brazilian history, culture, and growth, as well as leadership development, teamwork, and developing Fellows’ skills as English as a Second Language (ESL) coaches. The Fellows’ Weekend Workshop is an essential component of the preparation period.
  • Serve as an online tutor and coach to introduce Brazilian students to English, working one hour/week with Brazilian students for eight weeks (four weeks in November and four weeks in January).
  • Travel to Brazil for a 3-week paid fellowship, from December 1st (depart U.S. November 30th) through December 20th. Teams will be placed in Macapá, Brazil.
  • In Brazil, US-Brazil Connect Fellows interact with their middle school-aged Brazilian students 4 to 6 hours per day, leading project-based groups, facilitating interaction of small groups, and working as a collaborative team member with other Fellows and team leadership. Housing in a local hotel, food, and local transportation are provided at no cost to Fellows.
  • Return from Brazil and continue online communication and support of Brazilian students.  Upon your return, you will also give back in to your community through speaking, writing or other service.

If you are accepted, you should be prepared to participate in extensive preparation before the trip.  Once on the ground, the experience in Brazil is intense and challenging.  All participants should expect a full and demanding schedule during their time in Brazil.

 

What are the benefits and costs for US-Brazil Connect Fellows?

  • Fellowship Benefits: This Fellowship program offers many resources to selected Fellows. Benefits include:
  • Costs: Fellows are responsible for the cost of their international flight to Macapá and obtaining a Brazilian tourist visa, which may need to be expedited. Additionally, fellows may also incur personal costs, such as eating out in restaurants, weekend excursions, etc.
    • Stipends: Fellows earn a stipend of $450-$550 (depends on exchange rate) towards in-country expenses in Brazil.
    • In-Country Resources: The program hosts, the Brazilian Confederation of Industry and the school of SESI and SENAI, support Fellows by providing local accommodations at a hotel, all meals, local transportation, and health insurance for the 3 weeks in Brazil.

 

Eligibility Criteria  

  • You are genuinely interested in learning about Brazil and connecting with Brazilians.
  • You want to develop skills in global leadership and innovation.
  • You are comfortable leading small groups and have experience in leadership.
  • You make a commitment to helping a group of 12-15 Brazilian middle school students improve their English for their studies in technology-related fields.
  • You complete all of the US-Brazil Connect Fellows Preparation requirements. This includes attendance at and participation in the Program Orientation;  two in-person 2-hour meetings, one of which will include meeting Brazilian students who participated in this summer’s program and were selected for a 14-day trip to visit the U.S; and the two-day Fellows Workshop in Macapá.
  • You make a commitment to serving as an online tutor, working one hour per week with selected Brazilian middle school students for a two-month period and to travel to Brazil for three weeks.
  • You respect cultural diversity, enjoy learning, and want to learn some Portuguese.
  • You are able to work cooperatively in a team and have a positive attitude.
  • You have excellent reading, writing, and speaking skills in English.
  • You are over 18 years of age.
  • You are excited about a placement in Macapá. This is a town located in the northeast region of Brazil at the mouth of the Amazon River. The town is remote and isolated from large population centers; it has a tropical climate with high rainfall and humidity.

 

Am I a good fit for this program?

Based on both the extremely successful pilot program in 2012 and expansion in seven locations across Brazil in summer 2013, we are looking for students/young adults who will work on a team to help make the expansion of US-Brazil Connect an extraordinary success. Top grades are not as important as the following…

  • Resourceful: You are flexible, adaptable, and ready to make the most of whatever challenges come your way. When met with unexpected obstacles, you will invariably find a way to forge ahead.  You have a demonstrated ability to see opportunities for change and innovation, and are inventive in pursuing these opportunities even in cases where resources or guidance is scarce.
  • Passionate: You are able to envision a goal or outcome and work toward it with intensity and excitement.
  • Team-oriented: You are able to focus on the goal of the team, collaborate effectively with other team members, and devote the effort necessary to achieve team success. You are willing to help other team members when needed and appropriate.
  • Open: You are willing to share information, perceptions, and feedback openly.
  • Curious: You are receptive to and hungry for new ideas, perspectives, and experiences, and continuously develop new and more refined questions for exploration. Your curiosity is reflected in the way you communicate and in your ongoing quest to learn more about yourself and the world.
  • Idealistic: You believe that a better world is possible and seek to understand what role you can play in contributing to positive change.  You are prepared to challenge cynicism to pursue ambitious goals, and are eager to do your part wherever possible.
  • Principled: You possess clarity of purpose and a steady moral center. You demonstrate an authentic commitment to serve a purpose or goal larger than yourself and a contagious enthusiasm that inspires others to do the same.

 

Program Dates of US-Brazil Connect Macapá 2013 Fellowship

Macapá Application and Selection Process Application Deadline: October 9, 2013; Interviews with Finalists: October 10-14, 2013; Announcement of Fellows: October 15, 2013; Deadline for Formal Acceptance of Fellowship: Signed letter of commitment, $250 refundable program deposit, and completed program enrollment paperwork: October 18, 2013.

US-Brazil Connect Macapá Fellowship, Phase I: Preparatory Period Program Orientation and Launch: October 19 or 20, 2013 (2 hour webinar); Pre-Travel Online Exchange and Preparation for in-person phase, 1 hour/week exchange with Brazilian students and 1-2 hours/week of distance-based team preparation: October 21-November 29; Coaching Training: Two 2-hour in-person sessions from 6:30 to 8:30pm in Denver. It is required to attend both Session 1 and 2: Session 1: October 22 or 23, 6:30-8:30pm; Session 2: In-person exchange with visiting Brazilian students November 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, time: TBD.

US-Brazil Connect Macapá Fellowship, Phase II: On-Site Fellowship Depart US for workshop and fellowship in Macapá, Brazil November 29; Arrive in Macapá, Brazil, initial team orientation meeting November 30; Fellows’ Workshop
December 1-2; Opening Ceremony December 3; Immersion in Brazil- 3 Week Paid Fellowship December 4-20; Program end, return to U.S. or remain abroad December 21.

US-Brazil Connect Macapá Fellowship, Phase III: Pay it forward Post-Travel Online coaching/tutoring of Brazilian students, January 2-31, 2014; Pay it Forward through Service, Upon return and to be completed by January 31, 2013.

Additional Information

To learn more about US-Brazil Connect and our partners, check out these websites:

 

Next Steps

If you are selected, your next steps are:

  • Apply for a passport immediately if you don’t already have one (use rush service)
  • Sign a letter of commitment to the program and complete US-Brazil Connect Fellowship Enrollment paperwork
  • Pay a refundable deposit to “US-Brazil Connect” to secure your place in the program of $250 by October 18, 2013. Deposit to be refunded upon successful completion of the Brazil in-person phase (December 22, 2013)
  • Visa application must be submitted by October 22, 2013

 

Thank you for your interest in the US-Brazil Connect Fellowship.

 

Good luck with your application process.

[ii] http://www.thedeal.com/newsweekly/2010/brazil-boosts-deloitte.php