Students from the Douglas County School System had the opportunity to explore interesting cultures and amazing sites in two countries in South America over the winter break.
A total of 15 students, three staff members and 10 parents visited Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, from Feb. 19-28. The students came from all eight DCSS middle schools and were chosen via an essay contest. The trip was provided at no cost to the students through a partnership between DCSS and the Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority.
Mitch Springer, DCSS Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, went on the trip and said one of the highlights in Brazil was a “carnival experience” that was “wonderful because our students have been able to live Brazilian cultures and customs first hand.”
The group also visited Iguazu Falls, which are located on the border of the two countries and make up the largest waterfall system in the world. The group from DCSS took a boat under the falls on the Brazilian side and
hiked around the falls on the Argentinian side, Springer said.
And they saw the famous Christ the Redeemer statue located at the peak of a 2,300-foot mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro.
In Argentina, one of the highlights was visiting a gaucho ranch where the group learned about that country’s cowboys, Springer said.
Lizzy Kilgore, DCSS District Bilingual Liaison, went on the trip and found some cultural terms interesting.
In Brazil, Soltar e Frango means “let loose relax party,” Kilgore said. She said Brazilians prepare for eight months for their big carnival celebration in February and that there are special carnival schools that teach children how to dance, build structures, paint and design “to be able to celebrate their big carnival.” She said fútbol (soccer) is “like a religion” to Brazilians.
In Argentina, mate or maté, is a traditional South American caffeine-rich infused herbal drink. Argentinians will share the drink with anyone they meet and “people will drink out of the same straw and pass it around,” drinking it all day long, Kilgore said.
“Both countries are beautiful and nature is protected,” she said. “This was a very important trip for our students to see the other side of the world and learn from other cultures.”