BRASIL-FRANce interexchange

Visiting different territories, getting to know other people, other countries with different habits and cultures are important experiences to young people and teenagers, giving them a broader view of the world and augmenting their cultural level. Fundação Gol de Letra and the French Association “Sports Dans La Ville” established a solid partnership in 2002, which annually promotes the enriching experience represented by the interexchange involving young people from Brazil and France.

In 2015, four students had the opportunity to take part in this Project (two from Rio de Janeiro and two from São Paulo), besides the educator that accompanied them to France. They stayed there for 15 days (from the end of July to the beginning of August) visiting touristic, historical and cultural places in Paris, such as, the Eiffel Tower, the Triumph Arch, Des Invalides Museum, and Euro Disney. They also went to Lyon and its surroundings, where the head-office of Sports Dans La Ville is situated. The integration with the other country´s group was intensified during the camping days, as integration is the key-word of this activity. This kind of experience uses sports as an educational tool, since the different habits and trends are presented in the typical games of both countries, Brazil and France.

The French visit took place in April, when ten young persons and two educators came to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Among other places, they visited the Sugar Loaf, Copacabana Beach, Vasco da Gama Arena (in Rio) and the Paulista Avenue, Football Museum and Morumbi Arena (in São Paulo).

As in France, the group went camping and practised other outdoor activities such as tracking, rowing, tyrolean water, etc.

The interexchange experience generated lots of learning, cooperation, friendship, and awareness in terms of community, respect and integration in terms of differences. Being in contact with other people, habits, places and idioms, the young people also have the opportunity to analyse their country better and appreciate the cultural differences, as diversified as they are.

68
young people took part in the interexchange program in 2015, 14 of them were directly assisted, 54 of them were indirectly assisted

30
days of activities, 15 in France and 15 in Brazil

250
young people took part in the interexchange program since its beginning, 140 French and 110 Brazilian young people

“Taking part in the interexchange was super! The integration of French and Brazilian young people was very good!  This trip meant a lot to me. I came back to Brazil feeling more mature, seeing my country from a different perspective, praising my origins”.

Douglas Dias Pacheco, 17 years of age, 3rd grade of High School, six years in FGL.

“I feel like crying when I think about this memorable trip, because it changed my way of seeing the world. I became aware that I am not the centre of the world, I need other people, and they need me, too. I learned a bit more about other cultures, in France and in Rio de Janeiro. It was great! I loved my trip companions and enjoyed everything, even when I felt asleep on my feet, just to do some activities! Thanks, everyone!

Agatha Moreira, 18 years old, 1st grade of ETEC (State Sports School), seven years in FGL

“I have no words to narrate my daughter´s experience.I don´t know how to describe this moment.The merit is all hers! She used to come home from Gol de Letra, where she was a sports monitor, saying: “One day I will visit France, Dad!” I acknowledge my daughter´s effort, she did her best to accompany the teachers. I have another child in Fundação, he plays tchoukball. If he is chosen to take part in the team, that will be excellent!”.

Flávio Moreira, 39 years old, father of Agatha Moreira.

“I think that the interexchange experience goes far beyond the trip to another the country. To me, it meant the challenge to keep a group of people very aware of the collective integration, with a critical regard.Being there, having a wonderful interexchange – new contacts, histories, roots, memories – also represented the need to support each other, collectively, as a Family, during 20 days. It indicated that we understand each other better when we observe the differences. France was the scenario (a super scenario) of this experience that transcended the sense of space: the relationship we established with the muslin French young people, the educators, that was the best experience. The first days spent in Paris served to build our group identity, getting stronger and starting to understand the culture we were absorbing. I am very grateful to the young people that trusted me to guide them through this experience, and also to Fundação´s team, always supportive.”

Diane Boda, 27 years of age,FGL´s  educator.