Brazil Station operates with a mission of bringing Brazil closer to the United States. Since 2003, we have helped our clients and students access Brazil for business, travel, and personal enrichment. We have become the leading provider of Portuguese services in the tri-state area.

We see many of our clients eventually move to Brazil to pursue their goals. To better serve their needs and to bridge the two countries, we are pleased to announce our partnership with BR EXPAT. For over 15 years, BR EXPAT has helped more than 50 corporations relocate staff to Brazil. From their São Paulo office, we can now offer companies, professionals, and their families a variety of relocation solutions to ensure a quick, smooth, and successful transition.

BR EXPAT starts with a complete evaluation of corporate and individual goals. This information is the basis for a totally integrated relocation plan ranging from pre-departure briefings and training in the United States to language and adaption services in Brazil. BR EXPAT works with human resources departments to address legal compliance and complete any paperwork. They also provide the following: preparation services, immigration and visa services, home and school search, familiarization tours, cross-cultural training, Portuguese classes, repatriation, and other specialized services.

Brazil Station continues to serve as a gateway to Brazil, helping companies and professionals gain access to Brazil for many opportunities. Our growing list of clients can be seen here. This new partnership will allow us to better serve our clients as they expand and transfer key employees to Brazil.

If you want more information on relocation to Brazilor have ideas for future services, please contact us at Info@BrazilStation.com or by calling 646-287-6645.

A look inside Curitiba's famous botanical garden.

Curitiba is the capital of Paraná, located in southern Brazil. Its population is largely descended from German, Ukranian, Russian, Italian, and Polish immigrants.

The city's innovative urban planning, which weaves parks and bicycle lanes throughout, reflects a deep respect for the environment. It is referred to as the ecological capital of Brazil. The city's green areas—52 square miles per inhabitant—far exceed the 16 square miles per inhabitant minimum recommended by the United Nations. In 2007, the city took third place in a list of the world's “15 Green Cities,” according to the American site Grist.com.

Curitiba's transportation system includes lanes on major streets devoted to a rapid transit bus system. The buses are long, split into three sections and stop at designated elevated tubes. The entire system is completely accessible to patrons with disabilities. There is only one price no matter how far you travel and you pay at the bus stop. The system, used by 85% of Curitiba's population, is the source of inspiration for other cities around the word such as Los Angeles' Orange Line.

Curitiba's redesign took care to preserve the city's architectural heritage. Selective refuse collection has been conceived with the well-being of the population as the starting point. Curitiba's government has treated education and health as priority services. Curitiba has one of the highest qualities of living in the country and has attracted the attention of specialists in Urban Planning from around the world.

For more information about Curitiba, visit http://wikitravel.org/en/Curitiba.

A portrait of Lobato with Emília the ragdoll.

In April many schools and bookstores in Brazil celebrate the Semana Monteiro Lobato (Monteiro Lobato's Week), in honor of the most important Brazilian writer of children's books.

In 1926 he wrote the book O Presidente Negro (The Black President) which foresaw technological, environmental, and geopolitical transformations. It has attracted a lot of readers, since it anticipated a political landscape in which gender and race would determine the outcome of a U.S. presidential election and predicted the election of a black man as the country's 88th president. Interestingly enough, Obama is the 44th.

José Bento Monteiro Lobato was born on April 18, 1882, in Taubaté, a state in São Paulo. He is best known for his children's books. While his other novels and short tales for adult readers were less commercially popular, they mark a watershed in Brazilian literature.

Most of his children books were set on the Sítio do Picapau Amarelo (Yellow Woodpecker Ranch), a small farm in the countryside, and featured the elderly ranch owner Dona Benta (Mrs. Benta), her two grandkids—a girl, Lúcia, who is always referred to by her nickname, Narizinho (“Little Nose,” because she had a turned-up nose) and a boy, Pedrinho—and a black servant and cook, Tia Nastácia (Aunt Anastacia).

These humans were joined by a collection of colorful characters animated by the children's imaginations: the irreverent rag doll Emília and the aristocratic and learned corncob puppet Visconde de Sabugosa (roughly “Viscount Corncob”); the cow Mocha, the donkey Conselheiro (“Counsellor”), the pig Rabicó (“Short-Tail”) and the rhinoceros Quindim (Quindim is a Brazilian dessert); and Saci Pererê (click here to learn more about this mythical creature in our September 2008 newsletter) and Cuca (an evil monster invoked by Brazilian mothers at night to convince their kids to go to bed).

Many adventures leave the ranch to transport readers to fantasy worlds invented by the children or in stories told by Dona Benta in evening sessions. These three universes are deftly intertwined so that the stories or myths told by the grandmother naturally become the setting for make-believe play, punctuated by routine farm events.

The children's tales were turned into widely popular TV programs, including five series of Sítio do Picapau Amarelo adventures, one in the 1950's, another two in the 1960's, another in the 1970's, and the last in the 2000's (the last one is still running on Rede Globo). Several generations of Brazilian children were hooked on and educated by his marvelous stories, which seem never to lose currency.

For more information about Monteiro Lobato and his publications, check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monteiro_Lobato#Children_books.

Join a forró class, bate papo, or Brazilian Movie Night this April.

Forró and Samba Class—Wednesday, April 15 at 6:30-8:30pm

Forró is a type of dance very popular in Brazil, especially in the Northeast, as well as the type of music which accompanies the dance. Samba de Gafieira is originally from Rio de Janeiro and can be danced with all the other Samba styles and rhythms. Samba de Gafieira establishes its own identity, allowing the dancer to express both grace and playfulness with intimacy and strength.

On Wednesday, April 15, Diego Kelman Ajuz is going to teach Forró at 6:30pm and Samba de Gafieira at 7:30pm. He is originally from Rio de Janeiro and has been teaching dance professionally for over 7 years.

For more information check: http://www.meetup.com/BrazilianPortuguese/calendar/10035495/. Learn more about Forró and Samba de Gafieir.

TheatreworksUSA
151 W 26th St
New York, NY 10001
212-924-5877

Bate Papo—Monday, April 20 from 7-9pm

You are invited to a bate-papo (relaxed conversation) in Portuguese at Guy & Gallard. The event is free (you pay what you consume) and it is an opportunity to practice Portuguese and meet new people. All levels of Portuguese speakers are welcome, from beginners to native Brazilians. Contact us at Events@BrazilStation.com to RSVP.

Guy & Gallard
475 Park Ave. South (btwn. 31st & 32nd Streets)
New York, NY 10016
212-447-5282

Brazilian Movie Night—Friday, April 24 from 7-9pm

Brazilian Movie Night is an opportunity to practice Portuguese while watching great Brazilian movies—popcorn included! After the movie we will have a group discussion. We hope you can make it!

For this coming event, we will show the film Carandiru, directed by Hector Babenco. The film is based on the real-life experiences of Doctor Drauzio Varella inside the dreadful State Penitentiary Carandiru, in São Paulo, Brazil, while he was doing AIDS prevention social work. The audience shares in the daily life of the condemned inmates before a massacre perpetrated by the police force on October 2, 1992 following a riot. In 2002, one year before the release of the film, the Carandiru Penitentiary was closed.

The movie is in Portuguese with Portuguese subtitles. This is meant to encourage Portuguese students to follow in the native language, as requested by several of our MeetUp members.

Tickets are $7 per person and are available to the first 10 registrants. Registration is required. For more information or to register, contact us at Events@BrazilStation.com or call 646-287-6645. Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 22.

Brazil Station
304 Park Ave South, 11th floor (at 23rd St.)
New York, NY 10010
646-287-6645

Freire and Santiago perform; stills from Only When I Dance and Garapa.

Nelson Freire—Saturday, April 18 at 8pm

Nelson Freire is among the most admired pianists of his generation, having played with leading orchestras and conductors, and in collaboration with the finest violinists, cellists, and fellow pianists in the most prestigious recital halls. He is performing Saturday, April 18 as part of the PianoForte Series at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium
1000 Fifth Avenue (at 82 St)
New York, NY 10028
212-650-2684 / 212-570-3949

Director José Padilha follows up his Golden Bear-winning Elite Squad with this austere, unflinching examination of the realities of chronic hunger for three Brazilian families. At once intimate and universal, Padilha's hauntingly visual film humanizes the enormity of the global hunger crisis. In Portuguese with English subtitles.

Only When I Dance
Directed by Beadie Finzi

Two teenage ballet dancers from the working-class favelas of Rio are determined to dance their way to a better life, but to do so they must go up against harsh prejudice, personal doubt, and some of the best dancers in the world. This inspiring documentary trails their path to beat the odds and follow their dream of making it in the elite world of professional ballet. In Portuguese with English subtitles.

For schedule information, visit http://www.tribecafilm.com/filmguide/.

Reviewing class readings at Brazil Station.

In April, we will have twelve new Group classes starting. Other groups may also be formed based on demand.

Brazilian Law
Leis Brasileiras (Brazilian Law) introduces students to the most common concepts of the Brazilian legal system. Intended for law practitioners, students will distinguish legal terms and discuss their applications in Brazilian society and business. Where possible, comparisons will be made with legal practices in the United States. The course will include lectures, student presentations, and discussions. Weekly readings from Brazilian newspapers, magazines, books, and web sites that focus on Brazilian case studies will form the basis for classroom activities.

Each class will last an hour and thirty minutes and meet once a week for ten weeks. The course will have no more than 10 students to ensure plenty of interaction and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

1. Brazilian Law group class in English will start on Monday, April 20 at 7pm.

2. Brazilian Law group class in Portuguese will start on Monday, April 20 at 8pm. The class is designed for Intermediate and Advanced speakers.

The Modern History of Brazil
História Brasileira Moderna (Modern Brazilian History)will examine significant historical events ranging from the colonization of Brazil to the transition to a democratic system. The course will emphasize the Military Period in Brazil, exploring the social, political and economic impact on the Brazilian society.

The class will be held in Portuguese and is designed for Intermediate and Advanced speakers.

3. Modern History of Brazil group class in Portuguese will start on Wednesday, April 22 at 8pm.

Business Portuguese
The Português para Negócios (Business Portuguese) course is designed to help intermediate and advanced Portuguese speakers better relate with clients and colleagues. Just as in English, business in Brazil is conducted in a slightly different language than we use informally. From board meetings and client presentations, to networking lunches and dinner parties, the way you speak to associates and customers can influence the success of your interaction. The class will cover work-related situations and ways to address people in business contexts (use of formal language, presentations, writing messages, meetings, etc.).

4. Português para Negócios group class in Portuguese will start on Tuesday, April 14 at 8pm.

Música Brasil - Samba, Bossa Nova & MPB
The Música Brasil course will touch on a variety of Brazilian popular music from the 1960s, '70s and '80s within the context of political and cultural movements. Taught by a Brazilian musician, this course will reveal that in Brazil, “traditional” is not the opposite of “modern.” Students will gain insight into a culture that has succeeded in incorporating diverse ethnicities.

5. Música Brasil Class in Portuguese will start on Thursday, April 23 at 6:15pm. This class is designed for Intermediate and Advanced speakers.

6. Música Brasil Class in English will start on Thursday, April 23 at 8pm.

7. N1B - Beginner Level 1 group class will start on Tuesday, April 14 at 8pm. It is for people with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.

8. N1BS - Beginner Level 1 group class for Spanish Speakers will start Thursday, April 16 at 6:15pm. It is for people fluent in Spanish and/or Italian with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.

9. N2B - Beginner Level 2 group class will start on Saturday, April 11 at 6:15pm. It is for people who have some knowledge of Portuguese.

10. N2B - Beginner Level 2 group class will start on Monday, April 13 at 6:15pm.

11. N2BS - Beginner Level 2 group class for Spanish Speakers will start on Saturday, April 11 at 6:15pm. It is for people fluent in Spanish and/or Italian with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.

12. N3B - Beginner Level 3 group class will start on Wednesday, April 29 at 6:15pm. It is for people with a descent knowledge of Portuguese.

Since 2003, Brazil Station, Inc. provides Portuguese business and language services including corporate education, translation, interpretation, professional courses in Business Portuguese and Brazilian Law, relocation services, and marketing consulting in our mission to bring Brazil a little closer to the United States. As the first company in the tri-state area dedicated solely to Brazilian services, our professionals are native Brazilians and experts in language, communication, and education.

In addition to the group classes listed, we also offer Private lessons and Semi-private classes both in our offices and off-site. Contact us at 646-287-6645 or Info@BrazilStation.com to find the right program for you!

Your wishes came true and you got that job in Brazil! Now you will need to learn some more about your new home to help you relocate. Some sentences to learn:

Como eu chego ao trabalho?—How can I get to my job?

Eu devo usar carro ou transporte público?—Should I drive or take public transportation?

Tem estacionamento perto da empresa?—Is there parking close to the company?

Como eu consigo um visto?—How do I get a visa?

Eu preciso alugar um apartamento.—I need to rent an apartment.

Há escolas perto de onde eu vou morar?—Are there schools close to where I will live?

É um bom bairro?—Is there a good neighborhood?

As pessoas irão te perguntar qual é seu time de futebol favorito, então se prepare! Quando te perguntarem: “Qual é o seu time?” esta é a resposta: “Meu time é o São Paulo (você deve escolher o mesmo time de seu marido/esposa/amigo...) e o seu?”

You WILL be asked your favorite soccer club, so be ready! When someone asks you “What is your team?” this will be the answer: “My team is São Paulo (you may choose the same as your spouse or friend), what about you?”