Miss Moraes

An application essay for an international language program

To the editor manager of the international program at Harvard University.

            I am writing this essay because I read  last week on the internet that Harvard University is offering some vancancies for a language program.  I am interested in applying for this important opportunity in the English program for English students at Harvard University. I have been a teacher in Brazil for four years and it will be an excellent chance for me. It might help me work better here and it can show me how to teach English for Brazilian people as second language. Never have I had this kind of opportunity before.

            I am 24 years old. I live in Brasília, Brazil. I have been studying English since I was 13 years old. I have good English skills. I am very good in writing, reading and speaking English, but I have to improve my listening skills . I have already tested all methodologies that the schools can offer for us here. In order to develop better my proficiency in English, I was conceiving the idea of studying abroad when I saw the vacancy in the program. 

            During all these years, I created many strategies trying to enhance my abilities, but I think just when people are inundated with the language it can be more practiced. Sometimes I am an absentminded person and I have some lapses, I forget some words and I spend at least 10 minutes just trying to remember. So I started to chronicle the new vocabulary and I created some associations between vocabulary and pictures.  

            I am a conscientious person and I know that the job market is very competitive and I should study and practice more. Whenever I have a mistake during my class, I realize that I should study hard. If I have the chance to study in the program, it will project a better image of me. With an important course, I will be more respected and well-known.

            I really would like to be accepted at the Harvard University. I would like to show all my interest and reasons for asking for this opportunity. I know that I will be facing a great deal of competition, but I will face up all situations. Under no circumstances will I give up.  Learning English in a program just for English students. It will be such an unforgettable experience.

            I hope I have already given some information about me, but if it is necessary to add more information, you can send me an e-mail at vivianemoraes@hotmail.com or call me.

                                                                           Sincerely,

Viviane Moraes

Dear Editor:

            I am writing with regard to your article of last week, Life in a material world, which it was written by Peter Menzel, a photojournalist. The title could not be better to the text. It fitted really well to the context. The project that involved sixteen photographers was very fascinating. We could see how the idea of material life changes around the world. Every place in the world such as rich countries or poor ones, people have at least a significant object. It can be one material thing or it can be something that brings feelings, good memories. In general, the objects of those people in the article have not only a material importance, but they bring a physiological significance.

            Comparing those families' possessions to what people consider nowadays a "possession", we can see how people in developed and developing countries are struggling to get richer. Whenever you ask someone rich to show a valuable object at the present time they will appear with modern cars, houses, computers, gadgets, something that is in vogue and flashy. The more they have, the more they want. It does not matter if there is something that it is cheap knockoff, they will pay for products that can differentiates them for another person.

            The families, which were photographed, have a singular idea of material objects.  Most of them are poor and they try to leave an easier life, according to what they consider easy. The idea of possessions is different for them. They showed to the photographers what really is meaningful for their lives. They piled up a couple of bed with mosquito nets, utensils for grinding grain, extra clothes, shoes, toys, three sacks of rice, cooking pots. These families did not show expensive, extravagant things. They appeared with objects that are useful for their reality.  Items that are extremely important for them and they are not essentially showy.

            I strongly believe that this kind of project makes us reflect the meanings of what is really important: if people should value luxurious things or if people should give more importance on memorable things or objects. Peter Menzel was really successful with this project. It set us a good example of how we have to consider our ideas of possessions nowadays. Congratulations for publishing this kind of article in your magazine. I wish I could read more interesting issues like this one in the next editions.

Sincerely yours,

Viviane Moraes

I was watching some videos at youtube and I think this video show us how we can change our ideas. Whenever the things seem to be difficult, we have to remember that we are able to do anything.

How can we live in a fare world?Isn't it difficult to answer?

During the last two months, we could see that our lives will never changer in our country. It was the elecetion process in Brazil. Everything repeated again. We watched the tv programms and the radios talking about how can politicians change things. They promissed a lot. Will they work hard to fulfill their promisses? They said that just them can solve our problems. Is is true? After four years, is the situation of our country be different?

We have been living in the democracy for almost 20 years. We have a chance to elect who we want. We elect people who we believe will give us better alternatives to live better. But what do the politicians really want? Are their interests the same of ours?

Probably not! They want just votes. They try to convice poor people to vote on them in order to give some help. After they are elected, the politicians don't look anymore for those poor people who they have made a lot of promisses. So our history neve changes. We elect politicians that we believe will help us and help our country. We trust that they will try at least to develop Brazil. After some years, we have the same results. They don't do what they are asked for. If we don't raise awareness to this problem, this story will never have a different end.

            Being well-dressed is extremely important to Brazilian's people. Clothes show about our personality, feelings and the way we project an image.  People in Brazil are fashion-conscious, especially children, teens and young adults. Whenever you show up, it is better to appear good looking. There is a kind of importance in looking well groomed. Since a long time ago, Brazilians have given a significant value to brand-name fashion. This kind of clothes have become increasingly important components of culture and the economy. In general, a brand-name is associated with a product that has certain quality or characteristics and it makes them special or unique.

            Wearing brand-name fashion can bring positive or negative effects on individual people. It is known that branded clothes demand higher prices and it is also known that if you have money to buy these products, you might come across as a rich person. Some people give a lot of importance to expensive products just to project a glorious image.

            Brazilians who buy these brand-name clothes seem more comfortable around people. They always stand out in the crowd. They also are more self-confident and they have a good fashion sense. On the other hand, people who wear these products become more snobbish and selfish. They are more materialistic and consumerist. No matter the price and other's people opinion, it is more important to show up with expensive branded products.

            Brazilian marketers started to develop national well famous brand-names in order to establish our products abroad. They aligned the expectations behind the brand to create an impression that these products are special, different and with good quality. This attitude opened some doors to international market and it gave more jobs. However, these important brand-names fashion brought some negative effects on Brazilian's economy and society. Small companies don't have opportunity to develop comparing with a brand one. Their prices should increase and they can't sell, so they go bankrupt. It also divides more the society in different gabs: or you are rich or you are poor.

            Overall, a great brand-name fashion raises the economy and it brings more positive effects on individual people and on the society. A Brazilian brand-name fashion abroad brings more money to the country. People know that these kinds of clothes bring more quality and they are more durable. Brazilian consumers look on branding as an important value added aspect of products. A brand-name fashion creates a relationship of trust and loyalty.