Week 6 - Monday – Thursday:

Time is winding down. This week the students spent most of their time preparing for their final exam and group oral presentation. Their exam was Tuesday and the oral presentations were Wednesday. Each group did a great job on their presentations. They were informative, thought provoking, creative and thorough. I could see the relief flowing from each group member as they completed their presentation.

On Monday during class we celebrated Jodi’s 20^th birthday with traditional Brazilian sweets. Tuesday at lunch a group of the girls went dress shopping. Tuesday night a group of us went to a Matsuri Sushi Bar and enjoyed a relaxing evening. Wednesday a group of girls went shoe shopping at lunch and Wednesday night we had a pizza dinner with the host families. The students enjoyed seeing their families again and were able to spend a couple of hours together talking and laughing. The host family memories will remain forever. Thanks to the host families for welcoming home stays. After the pizza dinner the students went out for their last night celebration. Many were pretty tired so it was a quiet night of conversation and sharing. Thursday morning was sleeping in, packing, manicures, last minute shopping and then our closing lunch by the river.

We want to take this time to thank Pedro Mello, Dalcio Caron, Fernando Peres and Cristina Sotelo Fonseca for their patience, time, graciousness and willingness to support AZP. We have learned so much from you and your experiences. Shirota, your energy is never ending and your commitment and passion for AZP extraordinary. We enjoyed you in the classroom and your challenges (whatever they might be) outside of the classroom. You are a special part of the program and we greatly appreciate your support. This is my third year with this program and your selection of students to assist the program has been so on target. A huge thanks goes to Leticia and Henrique for your patience, energy, ability to translate and willingness to assist with the many requests of the students. You enriched the program immensely. I also would like to thank Elisa, Shirota’s wife, for her support and patience since AZP requires much of Shirota’s time for the six weeks we are in Brazil.

Students, you have been great!! You make the program a success. Thanks so much for your commitment, patience, professionalism, humor, and antics. Let’s count!! 5, 4, 3, 2, 1……. United States, here we come!!!

Tchau!!