Study Abroad program heads to Brazil this summer

Marcelo Pires talks to students about the study abroad Brazil program and what they will be doing while there (Betsy Johnson/Photo Editor)

Saddleback College prepares to send students to the rain forests of Brazil to study ecosystems, wild life and the way people live.

“Some students got attacked in the rain forest by the Bot fly, it’s a not a mosquito it is a fly, so unlike the mosquito that has a piercing mouth that goes through your skin to suck the blood, the fly has a chewing mouth,” said Marcelo Pires, Saddleback College instructor. “There was a winner who had 100 bites, but some people didn’t get any. You are going to be in a tropical forest, there are going to be animals there that bite and the Bot fly is one of them. That’s not keeping anyone from going, it is part of the experience.”

This is the second time doing the Brazil Study Abroad program and ore than 30 students are signing up to get the credits. Because students taking this trip will earn 3.5 credits toward the science requirement, many are jumping on board.

From June 12 to 26, students and instructors will be circling Southeastern Brazil. They will first land in Sao Paulo, then head to Ilhabela, Ubatuba, Paraty and finish in Rio de Janeiro. Students will study sea life on an island and explore tropical forests. They will also visit several museums and experience Brazilian culture.

While staying in hotels and having Brazilian BBQ, students will visit the Tamar Sea Turtle Conservation Project to check out the environment and life of sea turtles, explore waterfalls and snorkel in the oceans. Finishing the trip, the group will hike to the Christo Redento which over looks the city of Rio.

With two instructors who are native to Brazil, this trip will be sure to open the minds to anyone who is willing to learn about Brazilian biodiversity and culture. Another meeting will be held on March 15 in the Science and Mathematics Building room 105 at 6:30 p.m. for those interested.

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