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Marco works with an American peer.
“I had no idea what to expect,” says Marcos. “I wanted to soak in everything, learn new things, meet new people, and see America. Even flying into Washington, D.C. was so cool.”
Along with 13 teenage peers, Marcos was selected by Consulate São Paulo to participate in this fast-paced 10-day exchange focused on how basketball and bilingualism can empower youth. This group makes up the São Paulo Shooting Stars, a program that provides English language instruction, basketball training, and leadership workshops to public school students in São Paulo’s urban areas. This background put the student athletes on a fast-track to engaging firsthand in dialogue with their American counterparts during visits to local area high-schools and sports clubs.
When asked for tips on improving English, Marcos shared that he “practices extra hours with note cards before bed. Everything helps, even movies in English. My favorite movie is ‘Coach Carter’, it’s about an American high-school basketball coach that pushes his team toward academic success.”
After their time in Washington, D.C., the São Paulo Shooting Stars were geared up to attend the NBA All Star Basketball games in Houston, Texas.
“We have so many things to do, so many things to watch,” says Marcos on departing for the second leg of their trip. “We’re going to the All-Star game. I’ve never seen pictures of it…so it’s going to be a surprise.”
Marcos recognized the value of communicating with everyone he met in both cities. Throughout the program, he enthusiastically shared his perspective and learned from others at basketball clinics and sessions on everything from nutrition and peace-building to disability sports and community service. Marcos looks forward to garnering the momentum of the exchange to develop more Brazilian programs that link basketball, leadership, academics, and teamwork.
“One player can’t beat the other five on his own,” says Marcos. “We need five players, we need people to work together, and I think it’s important to your country, to your community, your city, and everything.”
