ENGLISH
PORTUGUESE
LINGUISTICS & CULTURE
PORTUGUESE
LINGUISTICS & CULTURE
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ENGLISH
PORTUGUESE LINGUISTICS & CULTURE |
| Autor: | Cris |
| E-mail: | não-disponível |
| Data: | 08/ABR/2004 2:43 PM |
| Assunto: | About Cris since you guys asked... |
| Mensagem: | Miguel, Pat, and MickR, Guys I don't know about you, except a little bit a Miguel, I am new in this forum, so after I tell my story I would like to learn about yours. My name is Cristiano, I go by Cris. I am originally from São Paulo, but I have lived in many different places. I have spent quite a great deal of time in Southern Brazil. I've lived in Chile as a kid, a then my father was relocated to Brazil after 7 years in Chile. At the time when my family came back to Brazil I was 14. It was 1984. Back in Sao Paulo I went back to my normal life and didn't keep many connections in Chile, I was just excited to be back in the country that my parents always talked about. Very soon I got used to Brazil and didn't really miss Chile. Then at that same age I started to play volleyball at school. I played a lot and participate in basically all of the local and state championships. Then at age 18 I was admitted to start my undergraduate degree at USP (Universidade de São Paulo) and I chose the track of Physical Education. I very soon found out that PE was what I wanted since I was always outside instead of inside a class. Along my studies at USP I was also taking English classes at Associação Alumni in São Paulo. I took a placement test and started the remaining levels towards language proficiency. Associação Alumni is one of the most traditional and most respected bi-lingual centers in São Paulo. I stayed with Alumni for 3 years. When I finished my English course I still had another year at the university before graduation. In my last year at the university I started an internship at the São Paulo Volleyball Club, that gave me a chance to hang around great personalities of well-famed brazilian volleyball. Some connections were stablished and that gave me the oportunity to learn the secrets of the trade. At the same time I was involved with the volleyball team at USP, my university. When graduation came I decided to keep training teams. Then during championships we attended I met some american volleyball coaches, we were able to communicate, and they encouraged me to pursue a Masters Degree in the states. Then I learned more about education in the US and planned to go to graduate school in the US. And that's what I did, in due time, I was attending the University of Florida. The degree chosen was Exercise and Sports Sciences, a fascinating program. Very soon I got a job as a T.A. and I was an administrative assistant for the Women's Volleyball Team at UFLA. When I turned 25 I was back in Brazil. Upon my returned I looked for some of my former teachers, professors, and I got a job at USP. I taught at USP for 6 years, and within those years I met a nice lady and married her. She is also a university graduate from USP. It seems like USP runs in the family. When I turned 31 I applied for a leave from USP and applied for a research scholarship offered in connection between USP and the brazilian government. The reason why I applied for a leave is because I wanted to get a PhD degree in order to boost my career at the university and as a public speaker. Then when I got word from USP that my LOA had been accepted, and that I would be sponsored abroad I started looking for PhD programs in the USA. I didn't want to go back to Florida, I wanted some diversification. Then I found a very suitable PhD program at the University of Texas at Austin. So, currently I am attending a PhD program in Kinesiology. I have two more yearsbefore I can get my PhD in Kinesiology. Then as soon as I get my degree I have two alternatives. 1 - go back to USP; If I do that I don't have to pay back my student loan because I will give my research to USP, that's the agreement. 2 - stay in the US; If I do that I have to pay USP, and it's a huge investment, 4 years of living expenses in Texas for a family of four. I have received a couple of invitations to stay at the University of Texas, and I was promised that they are going to take care of paper work, visas, and I could even get a starting bonus to help pay-off USP. But If I follow path number 2 I would be shutting USP's door, and what about if INS (now BICE) decides not to colaborate and issue the proper paperwork so that I can even apply for legal residency in the US??? Miguel has asked if I have ever been to the US or UK, and yes I have been to the UK and also Canada. I haven't been to Australia yet and neither New Zealand. Am I missing a lot?? Australia is in my plans. If I don't stay in the US and go back to teach at USP after I stay at USP for 4 more years then I want to apply to another loan and pursue a Post-doctorate degree in London, England. In Europe they're more used to Post-doctorial degrees, and it would be incredible living there because of england's proximity to other important countries. Outside the English-speaking world I have also visited Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, Nedherlands, Austria. Guys I hope I haven't bored you. I don't like bragging about myself, I have had opportunities that are very uncommon for my fellow brazilians. Despite having the blessing of traveling abroad, a public speaking career, a job at one of the most important universities in Latin America, and a Masters and now a PhD degree in the USA it doesn't give me the right to look stupid pretending to be the one that will change the world. Brazil is very much complex, it requires more than good intentions to turn the country around. And as you read my story don't think I am trying to show off, that's not my intention. That's just my reality and for many thousands and thousands of other fellow brazilians, but unfortunately it's not the reality of the masses in my country. What about you Pat, and MickR what degrees and experiences do you guys have, where do you live??? Cristiano A. M. da Silva, São Paulo - SP |
English Made in Brazil -- English, Portuguese, & contrastive linguistics
Miguel Vieria's connections – Cris 07/ABR/2004, 5:53 PM Re: Miguel Vieria's connections – pat 07/ABR/2004, 7:43 PM Re: Miguel Vieria's connections – mickr 08/ABR/2004, 1:24 AM 
About Cris since you guys asked... – Cris 08/ABR/2004, 2:43 PM Re: About Cris since you guys asked... – Miguel Vieira 08/ABR/2004, 7:15 PM Re: About Cris since you guys asked... – pat 09/ABR/2004, 8:31 AM Re: Miguel Vieria's connections – Miguel Vieira 07/ABR/2004, 10:27 PM