Edward Ziff
Neurobiologist
“I am a neurobiologist at NYU School of Medicine, and made my first trip to Brazil in 2002 to speak at a neuroscience conference in Rio. Now, after my fifth trip, I have research collaborators at universities in Rio and Niterói. Also, since I was in touch with professors at the Medical School of the Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, I was invited to help create a clinical neurobiology course there and to teach in March of this year. As my involvement with Brazil increased, I soon knew I wanted to study Portuguese. My eight months of classes at Brazil Station have been highly rewarding. The teachers at Brazil Station have a special ability to make each class engaging and effective. I feel confident that my understanding of Portuguese will be of great help in my collaborations with Brazilian scientists and in my appreciation of Brazilian culture. I feel all will be possible with Brazil Station at my side!”
Bradley Coppens
“I work for a private equity firm in New York and have been studying Portuguese with Brazil Station for about 9 months. Having made two new investments this year, my firm is an active investor in Brazil and looking to grow its expertise and capabilities in the region. To that end, I will be moving with my wife early next year to open my firm's new office in São Paulo.
My experience with Brazil Station and my instructor could not have been more positive. My competence and understanding of the language has improved dramatically over the past 9 months. Importantly, I no longer need to insist on English in social or business situations which has made an enormous difference. I've gained a new appreciation for the culture, people, opportunities, challenges and potential of Brazil through my time with Brazil Station. My wife and I are excited to start um novo capítulo do nossas vidas no Brasil.”
Greg “Greguinho” Graham
Back in 2003, my Portuguese journey began while working for a large American music marketing company in London. The Chillout Lounge music scene was in its infancy and we were getting a lot of Brazilian and Brazilian-influenced electronic music hitting the shores of the UK. I became enamored by the music and curious about what the lyrics meant. This not-so-secret-desire of wanting to learn about all things Brazilian eventually led two of my friends to take me to a Bebel Gilberto concert at a castle outside of Southampton. The surprise for me was that they knew her quite well. After the concert we all conversed throughout most of the night and Bebel kept calling me "Greguinho". Everyone there began to use that name, including my two friends who brought me there. From that moment, the name "Greguinho" had become a part of my daily life.
These days, I am a Software Trainer who specializes in Macintosh computers & mobile devices here in New York. Recently, I was able to deliver a lesson in Portuguese to a student who wanted to learn about her computer. I intend to learn more Portuguese so that I can continue to positively affect more people's lives. I thoroughly enjoy translating techno-babble into simplified, useful and practical terms for people. Learning Portuguese allows me to expand my horizons and participate more deeply within the great Brazilian culture that I admire.
My New York life would be incomplete without Brazil Station. The staff as a whole is fabulous, resourceful and very supportive of its students. Patricia is the best Portuguese teacher I have ever had. Her explanations are always pleasantly delivered with exceptional clarity and context. The entire Brazil Station family makes me feel as if I am their favorite American cousin brushing up on the language. Never once have I felt like an outsider looking in. There are many places to learn the Portuguese language, however I have found that, sometimes, learning a language is usually not enough to make a genuine, lasting connection with people. Language plus cultural immersion plus idioms and other nuances of life all contribute to establishing a true connection with a native language speaker. All of those tools are present at Brazil Station. Brazil Station has the advantage and gives us the ability to truly connect with our native Brazilian Portuguese-speaking "family". Eu adoro Brazil Station!
Mary Jane Marcasiano
“In 2001, I made my first trip to Brazil to design costumes for the non-profit Brazilian dance company DanceBrazil . It was the beginning of my love affair with Brazilian culture. The warmth and depth of the Brazilian friends I made and my exposure to the culture had a profound effect on shaping these past 10 years of my life both professionally and spiritually.
My trips to Salvador Bahia, as the president of the DanceBrazil foundation, allowed me to see firsthand the positive effects of their programs with underprivileged young people and created the seeds of my future projects using culture to help those in need. In Brazil I started my concept of "Made With Love" a global initiative dedicated to raising funds and awareness for NGOs aiding women and children in need through the production and sale of products that provide a fair income for women in Brazil, Africa and Haiti.
It was also in Brazil that my love of cinema started and over the years I have produced documentaries there, designed costumes for Brazilian film's and created, with Cinema Tropical, a Brazilian film series called "Janeiro in New York / Music+Film" screening Brazilian music documentaries in New York. We frequently partner with Brazil Station, which organizes events to make more people aware of our work with Brazilian movies.
Despite all my trips to Brazil and my Brazilian friends, the language still eluded me, until I started studying at Brazil Station last summer. With the quality of the teachers and the small group classes, my knowledge and ease of speaking has improved tremendously. Even more important is the camaraderie of my fellow students and teachers and the new friendships which have come out of our mutual love of Brazil, its people and culture. Brazil Station is truly a little bit of Brazil in New York!”
Mark Bower
"I work for an investment firm in New York, and have done business with Brazil for several years, traveling often to Brazil. During that time, I have become a fan of Brazil and Brazilian culture and decided to start taking classes to learn more.
I have been taking classes at Brazil Station for a year and a half and it has been a great experience. Now, I feel comfortable in any situation in Brazil, and can do meetings and correspondence in Portuguese. Additionally, I have learned a great deal about the arts, regional culture and history of Brazil, especially the music and cinema. I look forward to taking classes with Brazil Station until I am living in Brazil!"
Arthur Simonson
Managing Director
"In one year, the faculty and staff of Brazil Station have helped me understand and speak Portuguese at a level that has truly surprised me. I have tried to learn languages before, but have always become frustrated. For the first time, I am actually enjoying learning a foreign language and look forward to my classes. The professors at Brazil Station quickly identified my language learning style and tailored my lessons accordingly. They have made learning Portuguese fun. I am extremely satisfied with my progress and expect the next year to year of learning to be even better."
Deborah Jones
Makeup Artist
“My name is Deborah Jones and I am a student at Brazil Station. I have been studying here since September 2010 and am doing very well with the
patience and dedication of my teachers. My goal is to read, write, and speak fluent Portuguese. I work as a make-up artist and am also a musician, composer, and vocalist. My love for Bossa Nova music was the catalyst for learning the language and culture. I want to be able to compose poetic lyrics in Portuguese. I can think of no better language than this. I sponsor a little girl through Child Fund International who lives in Belo
Horizonte, Minas Gerais for the past few years. Now, I am able to write her in Portuguese. As I go forward in life, I know that I will be led back to Brazil. I am most proud to be a part of a culture that has brought me so much joy and beauty, and the music that shall forever enrich my soul.”
Jean Ergas
Risk Management Consultant
"I have been extremely impressed. I cannot commend enough my professor for his patience in explaining complex points with great clarity and precision. The method of instruction blends these two aspects brilliantly, through music, films and discussion of current events. The professors are extremely thorough in their approach, ensuring that you have a strong grasp of the fundamentals prior to advancing. I can warmly recommend Brazil Station to all serious and motivated language students. It is simply excellent. "
Peter Bruno Lijoi, Lawyer
Fairfield Residential LLC
"I began studying Portuguese at Brazil Station just over a year ago prior to my first trip to Brazil and it has been an exciting and enriching adventure. The teachers create a friendly and comfortable atmosphere where you learn not only reading and writing, but more importantly how to communicate and speak in Portuguese 'como as pessoas no Brasil'. The style of the program reflects the rich culture and friendliness of the Brazilian people. I have studied both in group and private instruction and recommend both most highly and without reservation."
M. Carrera, PHD candidate
The Graduate Center - CUNY
"I have been a student at Brazil Station for over a year. I find that the individual classes I have taken provide a great environment for learning and speaking Portuguese without intimidation. The curriculum is shaped in a way that keeps me learning and offers more than just theoretical knowledge; I am encouraged to put what I learn into practice. The instructors made this experience a very enjoyable one; they always made sure to provide me with challenges that helped me improve."
Genncis Rosado, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
"Learning Portuguese through Brazil Station was such a rewarding experience. Teachers are patient, dedicated professionals who tailor lessons to your specific needs. Classes are given in a relaxed, social setting that immerses the student in Brazilian culture as well as language. I took classes for one year and I can speak, read and write at a high intermediate level. Classes are fun, instructive and simply a blast!!!"
Brandon Rude
Photographer
"I can't say enough good things about everyone at Brazil Station. From my first class, the teacher really showed a genuine interest. She assessed where I was at, what my goals were and tailored a curriculum for me. Now, I'm not only speaking Portuguese, but reading and writing as well."
Ato Essandoh
Actor
"I have studied Portuguese at Brazil Station for a couple of months and worked with two of its instructors. I have also had experience with other Portuguese instructors and schools in the New York City area. I can safely say that Brazil Station is the best school for Portuguese instruction that New York has to offer. The instructors possess a deep and intimate knowledge of Portuguese, utilizing a variety of teaching methods and media, including Brazilian films and music, to immerse students in Brazil's language and rich culture. Equally as important, the instructors at Brazil Station have a knack for creating and maintaining an environment in which students feel safe to speak and express themselves in Portuguese. If you want to learn Portuguese, go to Brazil Station."
