Gaia Project; AIESEC in Santarém, Brazil

AIESEC in Santarém

Reception Booklet

in BrazilFounded in 1970, AIESEC in Brazil is present in almost all thestates of the country and is recognized as the TOP #1 entity inrealization of exchanges.

+5000Members

+3000Exchanges per

year

26States + Federal

District

+5000Leadership Experiences

AIESEC in Santarém were founded throughAmbassador Program in December of 2013 andbecame an Office on August, 4th of 2014.

40Members

86Exchanges in the

first year

100%Of growth in 3

months

in Santarém

sensational!Brazil is a country much more noted for its corky things like carnival, football

and girls. But our proposal here is delivering a unique experience to people who aresearching for a remarkable participation in other people lives. The Brazilian culture isbased on three main ethnic roots: indigenous, Portuguese and African. All thiscreated a unique civilization, especially exclusive, something that it does not foundin any other part in the world. Among of the main Brazilian features are hospitality,easy sociability and happiness.

Our country is so big with different ways to seethe world, different accents, but even so, weare so similar in many ways, like dissatisfaction,joy, social inequality, party-hardness and otherstuffs. It seems like a pradox but it is true if youstop to think about it. But in the end of all wereally like our way of enjoying life.

Santarém!Santarém is a municipality in the state of Pará in Brazil. TheTapajós joins the Amazon River there, and it is a popularlocation for tourism. It is the second most important city inthe state and the financial and economic center of thewestern part of the state. It is the head of the SantarémMetropolitan Area, which is made by Santarém, Belterra andMojuí dos Campos. It was once home to the Tapajós Indians,a tribe of Native Americans after which the river was named,and the leaders of a large, agricultural chiefdom thatflourished before the arrival of Europeans. The Brazilian cityis the home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Santarém. It islocated some 800 km (500 mi) from both the largest cities inthe Amazon, Manaus, and the state capital Belém.

Location

- Pará State, Brazil

- 800 km or 500 mi from Manaus and

Belém

HistorySantarém was founded by Father João FelipeBettendorff in 22 June 1661 with the name "Aldeia doTapajós" (Tapajós village). After founding the cityFather Bettendorff built the Chapel of Our Lady ofConception. The site where the first mass wascelebrated in the city is now marked by a monument.

GeographySantarém is bordered by the Amazon and the Tapajósrivers. Both run along many kilometers in the front ofthe city, side by side, without mixing. The Amazon'smilky colored water carries sediment from the Andesin the East, while the Tapajós's water is somewhatwarmer and has a deep-blue tone. This phenomenon iscalled "The meeting of the waters" by the locals.

ClimateSantarém has a tropical monsoon climate not subject to significant changesin temperatures due to its proximity to the equator. The average annualtemperature varies between 25º and 28 °C, with a relative humidity of 86%.

Seasons: Wet season that spans from November to July when it rains more.And the dry season spans from August through October, hotter and almostdoesn’t rain.

CurrencyThe Brazilian currency is called Real (plural:Reais). Exchange rates changes every day, andwe strongly recommend you to bring AmericanDollars, because its not easy to exchangePounds, Pesos and other currencies in Brazil.

Here payments are only accepted in Reais (RS),so you should make your currency exchange atthe big airports, like in Manaus, Rio de Janeiroor São Paulo. In Santarém, we have only 2exchanges places, but sometimes they justdon’t have money to change.

What you have to bring in your bag?

Men

Wom

an

The Amazon is wild, wet,hot. Here you will sweatconstantly and like torefresh. So, bring a lot oflight and comfortable shirts,swimsuits, shorts, sandals,hats. While you are here, wewill hike through the woods,so, for these hikes, you haveto be using long pants, longshirts, a cap and closedshoes. Don’t forget!

Beyond clothes, make surethat you have in your bagsun block, skin moisturizer,mosquito repellent andsome usual medicines.

TransportationAt the bus you have to pay the fare withmoney, so it’s good to always have changedmoney, because they accept only until 10 Reaisbills. Local students can use a pre-paid cardthat can be recharged in specific places - Withthat they pay half of the fare.

Workers, also can use the pre paid card - But inthis case the fare is the regular one. At Sundaysthe fare costs half of the price, if paid withmoney.

We usually take the public transportation.Santarém is not a huge city, so you can stayuntil 45 minutes in a bus.

Tickets cost R$2,25 = $0,66*

By Taxi:

The basic fare indicated by taximeters = R$ 4,00 = $1,17*

Rate per kilometer = R$ 2,40 = $ 0,70*

Where to go?You will stay in the middle of the biggest rainforest of the world, so, you can meet all thebeautiful beachs and natural places that Santarém can offer to you!

Beaches

Where to have fun

Foods and drinksBeer: From R$1,50 to R$3,00

Water: From R$1,00 to R$3,00

Caipirinha: From R$3,00 to R$9,00

Tequila shot: From R$5,00 to R$14,00

Sandwich: from R$ 5,00 to 20,00

ObjectivesWithin universities today, one of thebiggest opportunities identified is theinterest that young people have for learningand practicing new languages and also thediscussion of controversial national andinternational affairs, bringing to lightimportant political, economic, social andcultural rights. This interest goes far beyonda front specific courses, but covers them allin general, with the only variant preferenceissues to be discussed.

Talk Project, which is part of the GlobalCitizen Portfolio University, aims to takethis opportunity within the universities andprovide cultural enrichment for youngpeople, through discussions in English,Spanish or any other language on relevantglobal issues.

6 – 8 Weeks

Are

as Communication

Education

Starting DatesAsk us to know allthe starting dates

Learning PointsGlobal Mindset Social Responsibility

Proactive learning Emotional Intelligence

LeadershipTeam Work

Required Preparation• The Exchange Participant needs to be engaged on the theme of the project. For that to happen, we

ask you to build a research based on the following themes:

• Research about current issues about the world

• Know some key aspects and curiosities about your culture

• Research about current issues present in Brazil (try to compare the same aspects in Brazil to the oneson your country. Try to develop this cultural understanding aspect).

• Read news about current issues. (A good idea is to bring some to your classes and build a discussionout of it).

• P.S.: On your preparation, always put into account some aspects such as: politics, economy, social andcultural factors, etc.

Required Preparation• The schedule is:

• First week: Planning Week

• Second to fifth week: Activities with the students

• Sixth Week: Final challenge – a challenge that need to be build with the students. Can be a social action,something to improve the community…You need to plan with the students.

• Search for actual topics of Brazil and of the world, to talk

• Be ready for students that don’t speak a lot of English or Spanish.

What we provide?Pre-arrival Preparation Booklet

Airport Pickup

Accommodation in a Host Family

Weekly LEAD Every Friday afternoon

Vacation VolunteerTo help with the work in the NGO

Weekly Monitoring by an AIESEC Member

Incoming Preparation Seminar Culture shock preparation Global Village

Basic Conversation Classes in PortugueseEvery Friday after LEAD

Help with public transportation

Tours in the CityAt Weekends

Evaluation

Certificate of Participation

DocumentsHealth insurance:Must cover the entire internship period of yourexchange.

We have a national partner that offer a special pricefor trainees that are coming to Brazil! See moreabout Assist Card special promotion clicking here!

Other documents:Bring your ID and identification documents from your homecountry;Bring your Student Card (from your University), you can getdiscounts in several cultural programs here just because youhave it with you Remember that as you are a foreign person,you must Always have your ID documents or its authenticatedcopy.

Legalization in BrazilIn some countries, you don’t need a VISA to enter inBrazil (Can stay here until 90 days). But in somecountries, a special VISA is required. Ask to your EPManager to discover if you need or not.If you are in Mercosul, you just need to present yourID Card.

Important AdvisesPlugsHere we use plugs with 110V and 220V. To avoid problems bring your own plugs adapters.

These are the most common plugs in Santarém:

MedicinesTo buy some medicines here in Brazil, we have to seea doctor and he have to give us prescription. But forsome, you don’t need this. For flu, headache,stomachache, you don’t need prescription. If you usesome specific drug, is better if you bring in yourluggage.

WaterYou cannot drink the tap water, so be sure to have bottled or boiled water.

SecuritySantarém is not a dangerous city, but you have totake some care. Don’t walk alone in the night, tryto don’t use your mobile when you are alone,don’t walk with all your money in your wallet andif you get robbed, don’t react.

Important NumbersYou can call from any telephone or cellphone:

Public Ambulance (SAMU): 192Fire department: 193Police: 190

Health and EmergenciesMalariaHere in the city we don’t have cases of malaria, so youdon’t need to take anti malaria. We just have some casesin some special points in the middle of forest, so if youare going to there, bring some pills.

Yellow FeverIf you are coming from certain countries, you willneed to show proof of yellow fever vaccination. Thecertificate must be issued 10 days before your arrival.

Dengue FeverDengue is disease in Brazil, but is not so common. Istransmitted by a special mosquito, which bites justduring the day. The symptoms are fever, headache,and pain. If you feel this, don’t drink aspirin and tellto someone of AIESEC. You have to drink a lot ofwater and rest a little.

EmergenciesIf you have any emergency, we have a public servicecalled Emergency Ambulance Service (SAMU), whichcan be reached immediately calling to 192 from anytelephone or cellphone. The service works 24 hours,every day, and is available to everybody. If you sufferan accident, aggression or any other urgency, youcall and an ambulance will send to you.

TestimonialsI have lived one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Working in CrecheSeara as a volunteer gave me new tools like patience and kindness and also showed me how people are moving in order to improve as society. The kids are grateful, joy and enthusiastic and there’s no way to get involved with them and with the ONG that day by day is going upward looking for a better future for this kids. Gaia Project started with the idea to involve kids in environmental education and the awareness of now days environment, but considering the age of the kids (3-4 years old) we gave them didactic tools, as drawings, songs and also hanging out with them to have some fun at the park and at the vegetable garden where we talk about the importance of protect and take care of plants and animals.

Vanessa Alba

"My experience working in Santarém Smarketingproject is being completely different from what I

imagined , but fortunately much more satisfying . Working in Pastoral do Menor is still amazing . The

staff is very friendly and children are simply beautiful . I was lucky enough to share time with

everyone and be very well received by all. Definitely my head is changing for the better."

Octavio Krause

"Being a Global Citizen is more than traveling and getting to know new cultures. Is making another culture your own, feeling home in unfamiliar places and embracing the feeling of being part of something bigger. It's not easy to step out of your comfort zone, but after six weeks of being part of the Gaia Project in Santarem, Brazil, I can assure you that is worth it.”

Malen Sanfilippo

ContactsBrandon Delgado

VP iGCDP –Vice President of Incoming Global Community Development

Program

+55 93 991698657

[email protected]

Pablo Amorim

Project Manager of Expansions

+55 93 991544196

[email protected]

Are you readyfor the bestexperience ofyour life?