Let the journey begin!

Contents

• VP's welcome;

• Introduction;

• Our EB;

• ICX Team;

• About Brazil;

• Tourism;

• Culture;

• Culinary;

• Music and Dance;

• Religion;

• Folklore;

• Holidays;

• Economy;

• Pricing;

• Welcome to Sorocaba;

• Weather;

• Nightlife;

• Some curious stuff;

• Ending tips;

• Acknowledgements.

(Or all the stuff you should know and Wikipedia haven’t told you...)

Dear Trainee, I'm Renata, VP-ICX from AIESEC Sorocaba. This booklet was written not only to welcome you, but also to say that I'm really happy to know you've chosen Sorocaba to start your journey. I'm sure you'll have our best efforts to give you the experience you wish for your life. My Best Regards, Renata.

@SO's really happy you've chosen our city to begin your experience in Brazil! We hope you take away the best memories an exchange program can offer. In this PDF you'll be able to know our city, state and culture, making you not to feel lost in such different culture like ours. And then you may ask us: "why are you doing this?" It's simple: we just don't want to see you worried about our way of life, or whatever we're used to do and maybe it's entirely different from wherever you're coming, we just want you to feel comfortable here. Once you're fine with our culture, it's good for both of us, we're hosting you, and also because you can enjoy your experience the most, and we'll try to make this happen!

Sorocaba’s Railway Museum

Sorocaba: nightlife

Our Executive Board

Local Committee President (LCP) Gabrielle Moura Silva

(11) 8116-3355

VP Incoming Exchange Renata Vieira C. Almeida

(15) 9789-4130

VP Outgoing Exchange Samyra Chang Nakahira

(15)8103-8968

VP Talent Management Túlio Anderson Faria

(15) 8801-2888

VP Communication Camila de Godoy Justo

(11) 8303-5176

VP Finances & Administration Klayton Eduardo da Rocha

(15) 97467643

The ICX Team

Renata Olívia

Giane Camila

Juliana Camilla

Isabela

Marc

Pablo

Fernando

Leonardo Nami

Letícia

Victor

Claudia

We’re the biggest country in Latin America, occupying about an area of 8,5 million km², being fifth biggest country in the world. Our native language is Portuguese, with variable accents in states. We’re a democratic republic since 1989, with direct elections. The land is divided in 26 states and a federal district, where our capital, Brasilia, is situated, and also has our official time, delayed in 3 hours regarding to Greenwich.

Brazil is a diverse country, so that’s why our culture is rich and unique. This mixture started with Indigenous, Africans and Portuguese people, but along History, immigrants from all places around Earth came here, giving us our all diversity we have nowadays.

According to some tourism research, foreign people who came here before hopes to come back again if they have another opportunity, due to our receptivity, =)

So… WELCOME TO BRAZIL!

About Brazil...

Pão de Açúcar, Rio de Janeiro

Paulista Avenue, São Paulo

About tourism...

Due to its large territory, combined with factors as weather, altitude, atmospheric pressure and being close to Atlantic Ocean, Brazilian climate is extremely variable, so that's why we exhibit many different and interesting landscapes. Mostly, our weather is tropical, generally average temperature is above 25°C (or 77°F), possibly reaching 40°C (104°F) on summer, for example.

Culture... Brazilian culture pluralism is related to that mixture of indigenous, African, European and all other immigrants in general. Worldwide characteristics were incorporated throughout our History.

Brazilian culinary follows up country's diversity. A basic meal consists in rice, beans and a meat (fish, beef or chicken, for example), varying according to region. “Feijoada” is the most representative salty meal. And the sweetly one is called "Brigadeiro". All Brazilians also like barbecue & beer.

Music and

Dance

Their origins reminds European and African elements fusion, brought by ancient Portuguese settlers and African slaves.

And diversity also persists in this case too, since Samba, Bossa Nova, until typical rhythms and dances, as Chimarrita (it's from Rio Grande do Sul state) or Boi-bumbá (from Amazonas state), among others.

Culinary

Brazilian basic meal

Brigadeiro Boi Bumbá

Samba

Religion We're a tolerant country regarding this issue. Catholics, Evangelics (or Protestants), Spiritualists and others live in harmony.

Predominantly a Christian country, mostly Catholics, justified by our Portuguese inheritance, but there's no official religion, once our country is laic by law.

Consists main popular Brazilian culture and it has most variable and valuable contribuitions as possible, always detached by Indigenous, African and Portuguese ancient culture.

It's also an important culture element because it helps improving our economy, as tourism, goods production in general, and commerce.

It's composed by legends, as "Saci-Pererê" and "Mula-sem-cabeça"; the big parties, as the June's Parties and Carnaval; and music and dance, as Samba, Frevo, Maracatu, etc.

Folklore

• Jan, 1st: Happy New Year;

• Feb/Mar: Carnaval (a flexible holiday)

• 4 days, starting in Carnaval Saturday, ending in Ash Wednesday

• April: Easter (also a flexible holiday)

• Happens always 40 days after Ash Wed.

• Apr, 21th: Tiradentes;

• May, 1st: Labor Day;

• Sep, 7th: Independence Day;

• Oct, 12th: Our Lady Aparecida , Patroness Day;

• Nov, 2nd: All Souls’ Day;

• Nov, 11th: Republic’s Proclamation;

• Dec, 25th: Christmas.

Holidays!

Economy... Nowadays, our country has a strong and solid economy, producing and exporting several kinds of goods (mineral, rural and manufactured commodities). Areas like Agriculture, Industry and Services are well developed and in a good moment for expansion. Considered as an emerging country (have you remembered about "BRICS?"), Brazil is the 6th larger economy worldwide.

Our main currency is called Real.

1 cent

5 cents

10 cents

25 cents

50 cents

1 Real

PAY ATTENTION!

Some of our money is changing for more security. So.. If you see these ones, don’t feel scared, they all still have value here.

DO NOT ACCEPT ANY NOTE WITH AN IRREGULAR PINK SPOT!! (it’s stolen money…)

Pricing... We listed some prices for you to be aware of the costs of various products consumed in Brazil. DO NOT consider it all true, because it’s just an approximation. Prices may change according to places

where you go… (US$ price at 09/05/2012 = R$1,96)

Product Price (Real)

Big Mac (Combo) R$ 15,50

1 Bottle of water (500 ml) R$ 1,50

1 Soft drink (350 ml) R$ 2,50

1 Milk Box (1 liter) R$ 2,50

1 Beer (350ml – a can) R$ 2,00

1 Juice Box ( 1 liter) R$ 3,50

Rice (1 kg) R$ 2,00 to 2,50

Beans (1 kg) R$ 4,50

Sugar (1 kg) R$ 2,00

Product Price (Real)

Salt (1 kg) R$ 1,00

One small loaf of French bread R$ 0,40

Sliced Bread (450 g) R$ 4,00

Butter Box (250 g) R$ 2,50

Tomato Sauce (340 g) R$ 1,40

Spaghetti (500 g) R$ 1,60

1 Hot Dog R$ 3,00 to R$ 7,00

1 Hamburguer R$ 4,00 to R$ 8,00

1 Pizza (Medium Size) R$ 17,00

1 Bag of Microwave Popcorn R$ 2,00

1 Soap R$ 1,00

1 Tooth Brush R$ 5,00

1 Tooth Paste R$ 3,00

1 Shampoo R$ 8,00

1 Sun Block (SPF 30) R$ 30,00

A Sorocaban Bus Ticket R$ 2,85

And... WELCOME TO SOROCABA!!

Sorocaba is located approximately 90km (or 56 miles) from São Paulo, the state capital and has a population of over 650 thousand people and 456km².

Founded in 1654, the city had been small until quite recently (over the last 20 years), when our booming economy has attracted companies, industries and universities. Today we have an IDH of 0.8, one of the highest in the country and large urban predominance.

This high population growth, in such a short time, made the city‘s public policies to be directed toward to sustainable growth, both socially and ecologically. For that Sorocaba follows UN patterns of “City of Health and Education”: In Sorocaba we have 100km of bike paths, outdoors gym trainings, a Zoo that became reference to Latin America, municipal parks and cultural attractions for free, along with pro-education projects that promotes quality of life and welfare.

Our sub-tropical climate is influenced by the Tropic of Capricorn, whose line crosses our city area, along with the elevated altitude. Tat means that our hottest month is February, and our coldest is July with average annual temperature of 20°C.

Summer is hot and rainy, varying between 27°C e 35°C.

Winter is bland with temperatures ranging between 10°C to 24°C, but in some days it gets down to 5°C. During autumn and spring temperatures are alike, with warm days and cold nights. During the whole year the skies are clear, and rarely rains.

Weather...

Nightlife Sorocaban's night life isn't too agitated, but it doesn't mean our city is that boring...

There are kinds of attractions like theaters, movies, nightclubs, bars and restaurants (including international cuisine!!! Maybe you're lucky and you've found your country's typical food here...).

Maybe one day a member may take you to Pagliato, where music shows happens every weekends, and probably you'll come back remembering many strange and funny stories happened there. Or you’ll go to some universities’ (like UFSCar or UNESP, for example) parties. They’re all good too…

There are beautiful natural parks, where you can go running, riding bikes, walking or just passing by. Sorocaba is also known as a "Green-Blue City", title given because of environmental initiatives implemented

Some Curious Stuff... Once in Sorocaba, don't go back home without eating Real's "coxinha". It's a fried chicken snack very famous around our region. It's a bit expensive for a snack, but tastes delicious!

seedling plantings, Sorocaba's river recovery, among other projects.

throughout the city, like bycicle paths,

Stay tuned!!! • Please, respect our culture resources. Tourism activities must be done with respect to artistic, archaeological and cultural heritage. Be tolerant and respect the diversity.

• Human rights respect is unquestionable. Any kind of exploration breaks fundamental tourism purpose.

• Please help keeping natural environment. Always protect fauna, flora and habitat. Give preference buying local made handicraft, supporting local economy.

• Before travelling, look for your destiny's effective sanitarium conditions and all about consular and emergency services.

Every country has both sides. Brazil isn't that different, because our social differences are gaping, mainly in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (or even South-Centre x North-Northeast regions): contrasts between most luxury and technology equipped buildings along slums and hills with people living under acceptable poverty index. Remind yourself you haven't come just for fun, this is our reality and we're happy you came to help us change all this. Thus, welcome and let's get to work!

And remember...

Any questions? • If you have any other questions,

please send us an email! =)

• Feel free to ask us anything you think it’s important!

• Don’t be ashamed!!!

Alberto Ortega Abrego, @QRO (for allowing us to publish some photos he’s taken while

here in Sorocaba);

The ICX Team for supporting;

The LC for supporting too...

And last, but not least...

For you, who have just read this booklet...

Welcome to Sorocaba!! =)

Acknowledgements