This week we welcomed the Canadian Joan Blench, our new English tutor for the program Teach Abroad. She is going to spend four weeks here in Curitiba teaching English to her host family. She had already some ESL experiences tutoring in Italy and this is her first time here in South America.

At our arrival orientation she told us a bit of her experience and expectations for the program.

BE: Why did you choose to come to Brazil for an exchange program?

Joan: I have taught abroad in Italy through a similar agency and decided after several trips to Europe as a tourist, that I wanted to try a completely different country. I have never been to South America, so I did a quick Google search of agencies to match ESL teacher with host families and found BE.

BE: How do you feel today that you are starting this experience? Can you describe your feelings? What are your expectations for the program?

Joan: The orientation session was excellent! I feel very confident and excited to begin my learning adventure. I have no expectations for the program. I am arriving with a fully open mind and clear canvas upon which my Brazilian “masterpiece” will be painted.