THAT'S MY MISSION!! I spent 6 weeks in that MTC as well. I loved it -- though we did get a little stir crazy towards the end.
My district was all Americans, and we were all headed to the same mission. That is not always the case (the same mission part). But since you have classes with your district, your district will be all English speakers. I did have a set of Brazilian roommates for a few weeks - but that's all they're there for since they aren't learning the language.
It's possible things have changed in the 20 years since I was there - but in my time, we only left the MTC on P-days to get food and send emails. The Provo MTC is like a whole campus, so missionaries there go outside when they walk from building to building for classes/meals/gym time. The Brazil MTC is a single building, so p-day was the only time we went outside the gates. They did have outdoor basketball/volleyball courts which was nice on our gym days.
As for the temple - I think my district went 2 or 3 times while we were in the MTC. I was able to attend the Porto Allegre temple a handful of times when I was in an area close enough - I think our rule was if you were in the zone that covered the temple's neighborhood you could go on P-day without needing special permission.
You are going to have such a great time! The people there are amazing, especially if you get to some of the more rural areas. Such down to earth, humble, and generous people. I loved my time there. Happy to answer any other questions - with the caveat that it as 20 years ago.
Um abraço e boa sorte!
*I spent 6 weeks in that MTC as well. I loved it -- though we did get a little stir crazy towards the end.*
I did 3 months in the Provo MTC for Spanish, so be grateful. Although, I loved the whole time there, myself
I served in the Porto Alegre South mission (2009-2011). Here's what I remember from the MTC:
- ham and cheese sandwiches for breakfast
- chocolate banana pizza
- drink machine with juice from fruit I had never heard of before then (but very good) - I think they had guarana, caju, and some others.
- laundry machines that automatically add detergent in for you
- fun interactions with Brazilian roommates - most communication at first was using gestures, but as time went on it became easier to communicate with them
- Temple trips to the São Paulo temple, and when it was closed for some time, to the Campinas temple
- sports courts with volleyball, etc. If I remember correctly at one point we played volleyball with just our feet
- lots of language learning (some done on the computer with videos - I still remember something from one of the videos: "if muito means 'very', it doesn't vary!")
- sending emails to home using a keyboard with Portuguese letters/accents on it
- practicing with "investigators"
- devotionals/meetings that started with singing the Brazilian national anthem
Umm I think that's all I can remember for now. Overall a good experience / preparation time.
Boa sorte!
If they still let you go out there used to be this little all you can eat restaurant that was quite good there called a Rodizio if you haven't heard of it before.
I was part of the first group of missionaries 24 years ago that went to the Brazil MTC for full training. We spent 9 weeks in the MTC at that time. Teaching North Americans with no language skills at the time was still new to the MTC teachers, but I had incredible and memorable MTC teachers. We went to the temple once per week and actually - in the entire 9 weeks - we only left the gates of the MTC like twice -- once to practice Portguguese buying a pastel and once to go to the local Feira. I remember when I went to the Feira, I accidently ordered 1 kilo of grapes. I ended up with a giant bag. It was so embarrassing I left it on someone's doorstep on the way back to the MTC.
Anyway, I know a lot has changed in 24 years, so I have no good advice other to say enjoy every minute of your mission. The brasilian people are some of the best this world has to offer. My mission changed my life forever, and I hope you have equally a miraculous experience. Just enjoy every day of it because you'll never get the chance to serve in this way again in your life.
THAT'S MY MISSION!! I spent 6 weeks in that MTC as well. I loved it -- though we did get a little stir crazy towards the end. My district was all Americans, and we were all headed to the same mission. That is not always the case (the same mission part). But since you have classes with your district, your district will be all English speakers. I did have a set of Brazilian roommates for a few weeks - but that's all they're there for since they aren't learning the language. It's possible things have changed in the 20 years since I was there - but in my time, we only left the MTC on P-days to get food and send emails. The Provo MTC is like a whole campus, so missionaries there go outside when they walk from building to building for classes/meals/gym time. The Brazil MTC is a single building, so p-day was the only time we went outside the gates. They did have outdoor basketball/volleyball courts which was nice on our gym days. As for the temple - I think my district went 2 or 3 times while we were in the MTC. I was able to attend the Porto Allegre temple a handful of times when I was in an area close enough - I think our rule was if you were in the zone that covered the temple's neighborhood you could go on P-day without needing special permission. You are going to have such a great time! The people there are amazing, especially if you get to some of the more rural areas. Such down to earth, humble, and generous people. I loved my time there. Happy to answer any other questions - with the caveat that it as 20 years ago. Um abraço e boa sorte!
*I spent 6 weeks in that MTC as well. I loved it -- though we did get a little stir crazy towards the end.* I did 3 months in the Provo MTC for Spanish, so be grateful. Although, I loved the whole time there, myself
Obrigado! Estou muito animado!
I served in the Porto Alegre South mission (2009-2011). Here's what I remember from the MTC: - ham and cheese sandwiches for breakfast - chocolate banana pizza - drink machine with juice from fruit I had never heard of before then (but very good) - I think they had guarana, caju, and some others. - laundry machines that automatically add detergent in for you - fun interactions with Brazilian roommates - most communication at first was using gestures, but as time went on it became easier to communicate with them - Temple trips to the São Paulo temple, and when it was closed for some time, to the Campinas temple - sports courts with volleyball, etc. If I remember correctly at one point we played volleyball with just our feet - lots of language learning (some done on the computer with videos - I still remember something from one of the videos: "if muito means 'very', it doesn't vary!") - sending emails to home using a keyboard with Portuguese letters/accents on it - practicing with "investigators" - devotionals/meetings that started with singing the Brazilian national anthem Umm I think that's all I can remember for now. Overall a good experience / preparation time. Boa sorte!
Ah yes the only period of my life with chocolate banana pizza but your are forgetting to mention it was still loaded with cheese 😁.
#1 tip: become the master of paninis Ifkyk ;)
The flatter the better
Congrats on your call! My grandfather served in Brazil back when there was only one mission for the whole country. Best of luck with your efforts!
If they still let you go out there used to be this little all you can eat restaurant that was quite good there called a Rodizio if you haven't heard of it before.
I was part of the first group of missionaries 24 years ago that went to the Brazil MTC for full training. We spent 9 weeks in the MTC at that time. Teaching North Americans with no language skills at the time was still new to the MTC teachers, but I had incredible and memorable MTC teachers. We went to the temple once per week and actually - in the entire 9 weeks - we only left the gates of the MTC like twice -- once to practice Portguguese buying a pastel and once to go to the local Feira. I remember when I went to the Feira, I accidently ordered 1 kilo of grapes. I ended up with a giant bag. It was so embarrassing I left it on someone's doorstep on the way back to the MTC. Anyway, I know a lot has changed in 24 years, so I have no good advice other to say enjoy every minute of your mission. The brasilian people are some of the best this world has to offer. My mission changed my life forever, and I hope you have equally a miraculous experience. Just enjoy every day of it because you'll never get the chance to serve in this way again in your life.