Eramus Mundus Language and Communication Technologies program

Hey guys,
This is a video that has just been released about my M.A program, in Language and Communication Technologies.
There is even me talking about the program! :)

Have fun!

First week of classes at Iowa State University

Wow, it's been a hectic, really hectic first week.
COUNTS: I taught 6 classes and watched 6 classes. Not bad, eh?

Apart from the overload that comes with teaching 2 courses and having to grade all those materials (48 students in all), things couldn't be better here. The city is great, my students seem to like me and our classes quite a bit and the courses in my program are interesting (apart from ENGLISH 500). My office mate (Russ, from Ukraine) is a great guy, there is a really cute American PhD student in the same corridor as me and the people in Ames and at the uni are great. Every now and then I see some nice animals around (saw 3 deers on my way back from work some days ago). Got chased by 2 teenage girls in their car 2 nights ago (they drove next to my bike for a minute, smiling at me). Well, that gives you an idea of what my week has been like! :)

More news to come soon!

Take care, y'all!

Ames and new musician

Hey guys!
So, this week has been AMAZINGLY hectic here in Ames, what with the training for the new Teaching Assistants (I will be teaching 6 classes a week!) and the sea of information.
Gladly, I got a super nice office mate, Russ (Ukraine), who is also in the Applied Linuguistics and Technology PhD here at Iowa State University. Next week classes starts already and I still don't have a bed or a desk to study. But I will get there soon... :)
The city is great (damn hot though) and the people ditto.
Below is a new musician I discovered. Her name is Zoe Keating. Great stuff! :)

IN THE USA!!!

After more than 20 hours travelling, I have finally arrived in Ames, Iowa, where I will live for the next 4 or 5 years, probably.
Journey summary:

Rio - Miami (8 hours on the plane, talking to a great Brazilian girl who sat next to me, with whom I had a great time and we'll keep in touch)

Miami - Chicago (3 hours waiting at the airport + 2-hour flight)
Chigado - Des MOines (3 hours waiting at the airport + 1 hour flight)
Des Moines - Ames (1 hour car drive)

I have not slept much, and have already done quite a bit of food shopping for the apartment. It's totally empty, so tomorrow I will have to go and buy lots of stuff!

More news soon! Take care!

News from Brazil

Hey guys!

I know I haven't posted anything in the last 1.5 months or so. I am now back in Brazil to see family, friends and to get ready for moving to the USA.
Life has been quite busy here! Busy in a good way. Lots of medical appointments (just found out I have a huge iron deficiency I gotta deal with), going out with friends and family members.
I am enjoying my time here a lot, but am also excited about starting the PhD soon.
I will be going to Rio this week for about 5 days and when I get to the USA I will update the blog again! :)

Take care,
Victor

Groningen!!!

Today I discovered a music video which was completely shot at my University here (RUG) in the Netherlands! It's super cool. The main part of the video is inside the the main library of the university. Everybody looks so Dutch!!! In the end they go outside of the library and shoot in front of the Akademie Gebouw, the university's main building. In the end, they also show many some other of the university buildings.
I will miss this country A LOT, seriously! This place is simply amazing! I think I will probably move back here some time in the future! :)

Hope you like it!

Cyprus and Israel

I was in Cyprus until yesterday and the country is cool. It was nice to listen to Greek and I even learned a few words and sentences in Greek. The people at the conference (me included) stayed at the Hilton Hotel and it was a good conference, despite not a big one. I hung out most of the time with three researchers from Quebec, Cairo and Poland. We went to the Turkish Republic of Cyprus as well, which is kind of another country and had to take our passports and get temporary visas. We had a good time there and checked out a sinagogue.
I am now in Israel, in Tel Aviv, at my friend Yevgeni's place. The city and the people are simply awesome and it reminds me of Rio sometimes. They have a great beach, awesome food, BEAUTIFUL girls and marvelous weather. I am picking up words and sentences in Hebrew and like the language. People here are quite liberal and laid-back. In short, it's a hedonistic place.
We are going to Jerusalem tomorrow and that should be REALLY cool! More news and some photos soon! :) Below is a video of Tel Aviv.

LOVE IT!!!! SUPER FUNNY!

My favorite comedy group in Brazil and probably the world! :)

Funny video!!!

Ever seen two dogs out for dinner at a busy restaurant? Well, check it out in the video below! Awesome idea! :) Thanks to my friend Ciça for showing this to me!

Delicious music