Teach &/or Learn Traditional Latin Dance in Vibrant Rio with Travellers Worldwide

  Brazil

• Rio de Janeiro: 
Rio de Janeiro

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Available all year round. Flexible dates where you can pick you own start and finish dates

Description: If you find joy in dance, join us in Rio and share your passion with kids from local shanty towns. The centre is open to any type of dance from Ballet, Street Dance, Belly Dancing, Egyptian Dancing. Anything goes and the kids particularly love learning new styles of dance from around the world.

What You'll Gain From Doing This Placement:
=> An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into a vibrant culture!.
=> You'll learn a lot from experts in your field about how they work in a cultural environment that's different to what you're used to.
=> New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
=> An entry on your Résumé or CV that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
=> And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

Project Overview::
You don't need any qualifications to teach dance in Brazil, just a basic understanding of the moves and enthusiasm to share this with the local kids! You can also combine your project with a dance course in the evenings, where you'll learn samba, salsa, tango, forro and other types of Brazilian and South American dance.

In Santa Tereza, as in many areas of the city, children are exposed to the dangers of poverty and can be easily led into a life of crime and drugs. Dance programmes like this one are essential in terms of providing a positive outlet for energy and a distraction from such a lifestyle. They focus on encouraging children to see the 'good side' of the world - by taking them away from the violence and poverty that they live in and encouraging them to see things in a different way. Along with the people who run and staff the centre, you'll be acting as a positive role model to children to help keep them away from the dangers of the streets.

The ballet school you'll work at during your project was founded by a Brazilian ballet teacher some years ago. She had spent most of her life teaching ballet to Rio's upper classes, and was making a comfortable living from her work. One day, while passing through a favela (shanty town), she met a little girl who asked if she could learn to dance too. The encounter with this little girl made her change the way she looked at her life, and she resolved to set up the centre to provide dance lessons to children who came from very poor, underprivileged backgrounds. It sounds like a bit of a fairy tale, but it's 100% true - this is the lady you'll be working with on your project. Her enthusiasm for life and for dance is infectious, and it's the perfect project for you if you have a passion for dance and want to share it with children.

As well as dance, the kids take part in arts and crafts activities, and (where possible when volunteers are present) English lessons. If you don't want to take English lessons as well as dance, that's fine, just let us know. Otherwise, the centre will almost certainly ask you to get involved in English and other activities, as well as your dance classes. Most of the team at the centre are local community volunteers who are willing to give their help freely. They say that the satisfaction they get from seeing the smiling faces of the children is worth more than any amount of money in the world!

Unfortunately sometimes lessons have to be called off because of the lack of available teachers - so you will certainly help to make a difference and keep the centre going through taking part in this project

"Those leaving after a stay in the city, apart from memories of the music, the flavours and the colours, take also something that has no translation - Saudade - (pronounced sau-dá-dji). It is the feeling of nostalgia, of missing something that you had while in Rio, and the certainty that the feeling will only go away when you come back. It is not for nothing that the greatest symbol of the city is waiting for you with open arms. Always." Rio Convention Bureau

Combinations Available:
Why not combine your volunteering in Rio with a cultural experience whilst you're there? Travellers can arrange the following for your free time, at your request:
--> Learn, practice and play the beautiful fight/dance/art of Capoeira
--> Music courses (a variety of local percussion/styles for you to choose from)
--> Study Portuguese - immerse yourself in the language, you will be amazed at the effects it brings!
--> Photography courses
--> Care and crèche work
--> Dance and sports coaching

Additional Activities You Cab Do While On This Project:
Add to your experience in Brazil by doing some additional exciting activities with us - you never know, you could develop a passion for Latin American dance, or learn a new skill!

* Surfing Lessons:
Learn to ride the waves on glamorous Barra da Tijuca Beach in Rio!
* Capoeira Lessons:
Capoeira is Brazil's national sport! Learn to jump, flip, spin and play music in a vibrant Capoeira 'roda' beginners welcome!
* Portuguese Language Lessons:
Take a few hours a week alongside your project to enrich your experience in Brazil. There is no better or easier way to learn a language than to live, eat and breathe it ...
* Latin American Dance Lessons:
Learn Samba, Forró, Salsa, Tango and Ballroom... or concentrate on just one style of dance. Learn in groups with an experienced teacher.
* Photography Lessons:
Capture the flavour of beautiful Rio with your lens on one of our professional courses ... Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Courses available.

OUR USERS SAY:
"Rio is such a vibrant and beautiful city, the people are so welcoming, therefore I wasn't nervous for long. Everyone at Ballet De Santa Tereza made me feel at home and it was a brilliant experience. I really couldn't of asked for a better bunch of kids! The children at Santa Tereza are so much fun and very talented, I became very close to them all and I miss them very much! A lot of the families there don't have much when it comes to material things but their culture and lively personalities make up for that! Ballet De Santa Tereza is a great organisation, the children enjoy every day there! I suppose it is like an escape for them!
The way in which the Ballet classes were run/taught was a lot different to my Ballet classes in Scotland because here in the UK Ballet is all about discipline and in Rio it was all about having fun, which at the end of the day is more important!

Thank you to everyone who made my trip such an enjoyable and successful one!" - Feedback from Stephanie White, a volunteer at the centre. Feedback from Stephanie White, a volunteer at the centre.

Highlights:
What To Do Next:
Talk to us - We're there to help you. Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!

If you'd like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us! If you'd like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we'll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.

It's as easy as that!

Accommodation and Food:
Accommodation is situated in the Flamengo region of Rio - just a hop, skip and a jump away from famous Copacabana beach! This is a great place to be as you will be only 3 minutes away from the metro station, opposite the Catete Palace and you will be able to visit Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue with great ease.

Rooms are available as dorms, singles and doubles. If you have a preference, please be sure to let us know at the time of booking and we can make the necessary arrangements for you. All rooms have their own bathroom and individual cupboard with a key for security.

Past volunteers have regarded eating out as one of the highlights of living in South America, and an essential part of Brazilian culture! Because of this, the price of your placement includes your breakfast but for dinner, you'll get the chance to venture out and sample some of the fabulous food which Rio is famous for.
For breakfast in the hotel you can expect a feast of natural fruits and juices (try the acai - a delicious berry to sprinkle on your granola cereal), coffee, milk, bread, cheese, ham, butter, jams and sweet cakes (popular in Brazil for breakfast) amongst other things - so you certainly won't be leaving on an empty stomach! You will be allowed to use the kitchen facilities whenever it is not being used by the hotel staff.

Location:
The colourful city of Rio, jammed between miles of coastline and mountains, is regarded as one of the world's greatest and most beautiful cities in the world. It pulses with life and deserves its reputation as Cidade Maravilhosa (Wonderful City). The inhabitants of Rio, known locally as Carioca's, pursue pleasure like no other people, fully utilizing their impressive beaches with beautiful people, samba, ice cold beers and the local firewater, cachaça!

Qualifications: No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit Dance enthusiasts who want to make a real difference, want first-hand experience of a different culture and who have initiative.

Cost in US$: Varies depending on length. Starts from 1,340 USD

You'll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you'll see them frequently.

Pre-departure you'll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Experience Required: yes

No experience required.

Typical Volunteer: These placements would suit people who want to improve their knowledge and skills in their field, learn about a new culture, boost their resume to kick-start their career, and who also want to have a structured placement at the same time as having an exciting travel experience. Patience, adaptability and initiave definitely an advantage.

Age Range: 17 to 70+ All ages are welcome on Travellers Placements

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Brazil Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Travellers Worldwide's Mission Statement: Travellers Worldwide organises all types of worthwhile and beneficial voluntary placements in local communities. We also provide Work Experience & Internship opportunities, as well as different types of Courses and study abroad options. We have many diverse projects, from teaching underprivileged or refugee children in schools, orphanages and care homes, to conservation and rehabilitation of endangered animals, such as orangutans, lion cubs, dolphins, elephants. Our aim is to make a difference to the communities we work in and to facilitate personal and professional growth in our volunteers. We employ local people in our destination countries and local providers of goods and services, thus ensuring we have a positive impact on the community. Our ethos encompasses mutual respect, cultural exchange, responsible travel and a beneficial outcome for all. Travellers also arranges work experience placements in Journalism, Law, Veterinary, Medicine, Tourism, Architecture, and many more. There are also opportunities to learn languages and other skills such as Capoeira in Brazil, Tango in Argentina or Flying in South Africa. These projects are unique - and tailored to suit you! Our placements are flexible (2 weeks to 1 year) and on most you can choose your own start and finish dates. No qualifications are required, just an enthusiasm to experience a new culture! Full support is provided within the country, with friendly and conscientious staff, ensuring a safe and exciting way to experience a brand new culture! Placements are also very sociable: you'll make friends with the other international volunteers and often volunteers travel together after their placement and during their free weekends. We help you to Make a Difference and have an exciting adventure travel experience!

Year Founded: 1995