ESL Academy Welcomes Brazilian Students Through U.S.-Brazil Connect

Latin American High School Students Learn About CU Denver

Feb 17, 2015

The winter season was in full force throughout the United States, but it was a classically sunny day in Denver, Colorado, when 10 Brazilian students were welcomed for a tour and reception at the ESL Academy, University of Colorado Denver. The high school students had arrived from the state of Espirito Santo Brazil courtesy of U.S.- Brazil Connect, an organization that fosters educational connections between the two countries.

“We have experienced so much success with our students from Latin America, specifically the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program (BSMP) that it was a delight to host these students who represent the top 5% of participants in the U.S. Brazil Connect program this year. Their enthusiasm and viewpoints about our two different educational systems was warmly received and we hope to see a few if not many of these friendly, smiling students roaming our halls in the near future” said Marcel Bolintiam, Director of the CU Denver ESL Academy.

Students in Brazil seek English language skills as part of their education to prepare for the competitive workforce of a globalized economy. U.S.-Brazil Connect strives to meet the education and career preparation needs of Brazilian and American students through the Conexão Mundo (World Connection) Program and its U.S. Fellowships. Conexão Mundo is a unique collaboration between US-Brazil Connect and the Brazilian Confederation of Industry (CNI) and its SESI/SENAI school systems. The jointly implemented international education initiative aims to strengthen the English language skills of Brazilian high school students, provide transformative learning experiences for U.S. college students and young professionals, build capacity for exchange between US community colleges and Brazilian technical institutions, and open avenues to partnerships.

“The University of Colorado Denver is a premier urban research institution with degree programs ranging from architecture to engineering to public health and medicine. We are continually building educational partnerships that provide opportunities for students from around the world and that support our academic programs and outstanding partner universities“, explained John Sunnygard, Executive Director, Office of International Affairs, University of Colorado Denver. “It was such a pleasure meeting some of the brightest young students from Espirito Santo, Brazil. Our door is always open to international visitors.”