By BARB WEAVER

I spent my summer months in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as an exchange student with the Youth for Understanding Teenage Exchange Program. This exchange program has its international headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. YFU is fast becoming the largest exchange program in the United States; however, it is not yet well known in the Midwest.

I lived in a family situation as a member in a family of seven children ranging from age 20 to 3. They do many things as a family unit yet the teenagers do many more things separate from the family because of the greater independence they have, more so than American teenagers. They do things in large groups that almost always include brothers and sisters of about the same age. For entertainment we would usually go to the beach, a restaurant, a bar‑restaurant, a nightclub, a movie, or a party. The teenagers seem much more mature than American teens. I think this is because they are given more freedom such as: no curfew and a drinking age of 18; they have learned to respect such privileges and responsibility.

The Brazilian school is very different from ours. Most of the students attend private schools where they go for half a day, six days a week. The schools are segregated with the girls attending in the morning and boys in the afternoon. The day consists of five 40‑minute classes with five minutes between classes. The students remain in the classroom while the individual teachers come to the room. The students must wear uniforms because of the distinct class levels which are distinguishable through the individual clothing. They are, however, permitted to smoke between classes but only in the washrooms. I found this to be amusing in contrast to the smoking conditions that exist here at Maine West. Another interesting fact is that when a particular teacher cannot be present, that particular class will not be held.

 The national language of Brazil is Portuguese. Portuguese seems to be similar to Spanish when written, however, the pronunciation is quite different and difficult to understand. My seven year study of Spanish contributed greatly to my learning and understanding of the language. Almost every educated Brazilian knows English, and I could have gotten along very well without learning Portuguese. However, I did need to speak it to be able to communicate with my little brother and sister.

My second day in Rio was the day of the world soccer championship between Brazil and Italy, held in Mexico City. As many know, Brazil won the game, however, what you don't know is the reaction of the Brazilian people. After the game it was a three day holiday with dancing and singing in the streets and a declaration of a national holiday on the day the players returned. Soccer is the national sport of Brazil; however, I hadn't fully realized this until I went to two professional soccer games at Maracana, the largest soccer stadium in the world. The enthusiasm and loyalty of the 200,000 fans present was overwhelming.

Finally I would like to describe Rio de Janeiro, absolutely the most beautiful city in the world. It is a very large city that clings to the peninsula like the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. All along the coast are pure white sand beaches with such famous names as Copacabana and Ipanema. Interspersed throughout the city and the coastline are high hills covered with lush tropical vegetation. Reigning over all is the statue of Christ, high above the Corcovado (hunchback) Mountain. This is a city where there exists the most friendly and open people I have ever met‑a city where I learned so much and still know so little.