Our Global Experience Photo Exhibit

Be sure to check out the photo exhibit currently displayed in UA's FFC atrium. It s titled Our Global Experience and the photos highlight our adventures and learning moments from all over the world. All photos are from UA experiences from 2006-2010 and they are divided by country. Also featured are some of our favorite "creature" photos as well as some unexpected faculty photos. The photos are primarily from the collections of Mr. Thompson and Ms. Nipp but there are a few from other generous guest photographers. We'd also like to thank Mr. Thompson for the awesome set-up of the entire display!

Welcome Home!

We are delighted to report that our Brazil delegation has returned to Dallas, safe and sound (and rather tanned). As you can see, we were so happy about their return that we were at DFW airport waiting for them at 6am with great enthusiasm! All report that the time in Brazil was the experience of a lifetime and that they treasure the memories. We are happy to have our friends back home and we are already looking forward to the next Brazilian adventure!

Happy Moments in Brazil ... Farewell!

Our Brazil Delegation is now headed home to Dallas after a farewell celebration and Mass at the Ursuline School in Ilheus. They will return home with memories of fun, friends and a wonderfully different world. Here are a few photos from the last days in Brazil - the school photos with the children are from the service project at the daycare center that is run by the Ursuline sisters. The photo of Elizabeth with "the clocks" is from the end-of-year celebration at Piedade where the whole school celebrated biodiversity through an Alice in Wonderland theme. Our students contributed to the celebration with a Texas line dance lesson and guitar accompaniment which was received with great enthusiasm.

We wish the delegation a safe trip home and we thank them for representing Ursuline and Texas so beautifully!

Brazilian Adventures...

Well, it's been a few days since our Brazil Delegation checked in with us and now we know it's because they have been busy making presentations on life in Texas, zipping through the rain forest, touring cacao farms, playing with children at an Ursuline-sponsored day care center, eating freshly-made chocolate, chasing monkeys, studying sea creatures (particularly crabs), dancing at birthday parties, sailing to near-by islands, practicing Portuguese phrases, trekking through the jungle, cooling off in waterfalls and, of course, being honored guests at the end-of-year school celebration and research project presentation which, I hear, involved a dramatic ending featuring a faculty "chicken dance". WOW, we're so sorry they've had nothing to do in Brazil ("NOT", as the kids say).

Ms. Chinuntdet has graciously passed along these images of the adventurous group from the afternoon when they were zipping through the rain forest. That is, in fact, a photo of Ms. Chinundet, our fearless delegation leader, zipping along the tropics of Brazil - "good times" indeed!

We are thrilled to report that despite a few health challenges in the first days (2 stomach viruses w/ fever, 1 sinus infection, 1 severe sunburn, 1 case of excessive bug bites and 1 sore throat), everyone seems to be in excellent health and spirits now (parents, if you haven't heard from me, your daughter has escaped these issues, no worries).

We can't wait to hear what additional adventures the last days in Brazil will bring!

Greetings from Brazil!

Our cheerful travelers have reported that they are well and happy and enjoying their first days in Brazil. Some highlights on Monday were visiting a cacao farm, touring the city (including the spot where the famous Brazilian writer, Jorge Amado, used to sit in the local cafe) and seeing the cathedral. In the chapel of the school (picture above) the students also enjoyed a lesson about the history of the Ursulines in Brazil. Later in the day, there was time for a visit to the local chocolate factory and the craft market. As you can see, it's quite hot but the group tells us that there has also been a gentle breeze. It looks like they are all delighting in "the thrill of Brazil!"

UA's Brazil Delegation Departs from DFW!

After much anticipation, our 15 member Brazil Delegation departed from DFW airport last night. They could not have been more enthusiastic! And their enthusiasm was not dampened by the fact that they left almost 3 hours late due to a problem with the airplane thermostat. The group did indeed miss their connection in Sao Paulo but they were quickly rerouted through Salvador and finally arrived safely and happily (and, we hear, a little "sweaty" from the extreme humidity) in Ilhéus, Bahia this afernoon. We know that they were met by the faculty, parents and teachers from Nossa Senhora da Piedade, our sister-school, and that all are being welcomed and celebrated this evening. We can't wait to hear more news and to see a few photos - stay tuned!

DADYO Meeting

Tonight we participated in the November DADYO meeting at Jesuit. DADYO stands for "Dallas area Diversity Youth Organization" and the members are students from local private schools including UA, Jesuit, ESD, Parish Episcopal, Hockaday, St. Marks and Greenhill. It's a fantastic organization and it's always fun to make new friends. Tonight the topic was "The American Dream"and students discussed the impact of circumstances that one is born into as well as the impact of the choices we make. After a casual pizza dinner and a little socializing (of course!), the students gathered in small groups and discussed the topic as well as what it feels like to be part of the "mainstream" vs. "the fringe." The discussions were intense and emotional but never without humor and voices of support. It was great to see so many Ursuline girls at the meeting and we remind all UA students that everyone is welcome at DADYO. We will actually host the next meeting of DADYO on January 12 at UA from 6-8 pm- mark your calendars!

UA's Brazil Delegation 2010 prepares for departure

This Thursday, 3 UA faculty members and 12 students will depart for our sister school in Bahia, Brazil. The group has spent weeks preparing for the journey, learning about Brazil and about Brazilian culture. In these last hours before departure, the students are busy packing summer wardrobes (yes, it will be hot as it is the end of Spring in Brazil) and working ahead in classes. While in Brazil, their responsibilities include a major presentation on themselves, Ursuline Dallas and life in the USA. The students are most eager to meet their host families, learn about student life at our sister school and to see the gorgeous beaches of Bahia. We know that they can expect the experience of a lifetime and we'll be sure to report on their adventures in the coming days.

Boa viagem!!