Epal Project By: Caitlin L & Alyson S

Introduction Our Epals are from Portugal, which is a country connected to the west side of Spain. They live in the city of Famalicao, located near the coast to the middle of the country. We live in the United States in the city of Virginia Beach, located at the southeastern corner of Virginia. An ocean away and so many similarities and differences in the way we live.

Geography of US & Portugal USAPortugal  3, 718, 695 square miles  Over 30, 000 cities  2 coasts  North America  Population- 307, 006, 550  35, square miles  151 cities  1 coast  Europe  Population- 10, 632, 069

Geography of Virginia Beach and Famalicao Virginia BeachFamalicao  Coastal (east)  Atlantic Ocean  Forests, farms, and beaches  Population- 437, 994  Area square miles  Humid Subtropical climate  Coastal (west)  Atlantic Ocean  Forests, beaches, and mountains  Population- 1, 672  Area- 8.3 square miles  Mediterranean climate

Virginia Education  Main courses: Biology, Chemistry, World History, Geometry, Algebra, English, and P.E.  Basic schooling- 13 years (K-12), age 5- 18, split into 3 groups (elementary, middle, and high)  Then higher education  College is optional

Portuguese Education Main courses: Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geology, Portuguese, English, Philosophy, and P.E. Basic compulsory schooling- 9 years, age 6-15, split into 3 groups (1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd cycle) Secondary education- age 14-15, not free. Then higher education College is optional

Virginia Education  180 days  Optional preschooling  The American education system offers students the widest study options in the world

Portuguese Education 180 days Middle of September to the end of June Pre- school is optional Education is highly valued The Ministry of Education is responsible for the administration of state schools in Portugal

Government in Virginia/USA Constitutional Republic and Representatives Democracy US Constitution 3 levels of government (Federal, state, and local) President with a 4 year term Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches

Government of Portugal Parliamentary Democracy Portuguese Constitution Prime Minister as head of Government President with a 5 year term as head of state Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches

American Customs/Traditions January 1- New years February 14- Valentines Day March 17- St. Patrick's Day April 1- April fool’s Day Good Friday Easter Memorial Day Mothers Day Fathers Day July 4- Independence Day Labor Day Grandparents Day Columbus Day October 31- Halloween Thanksgiving November 11- Veterans Day December 25- Christmas

American Customs/Traditions Religions: Christian, nonreligious, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism We say the Pledge of Allegiance every school mornings and big social gatherings Handshakes when greeting School is on most Monday- Fridays, not Saturdays and Sundays

Portuguese Customs/Traditons Jan 1- New years day Carnaval Day Good Friday Easter April 25- Freedom Day May 1- Labor Day Corpus Christi June 10- Portugal Day June 13- St. Anthony’s Day June 24- St. John’s Day August 15- Assumption October 5- Republic Day November 1- All Saints Day December 1- Restoration of Independence December 8- Immaculate Conception December 25- Christmas Day

Portuguese Customs/Traditions Religion: largely Catholic Respects Hierarchy Men shake hands, women kiss cheeks Fashion is indication of social status Loyalty to family comes before social relationships Custom to bring a gift when invited to dinners Portugal Festivals are integral parts of Portuguese culture

American Family Family get togethers during holidays Family dinners together Typical family is a mom, a dad, and children Family pets Generally move away at 18 There are classes (lower, middle, high) Materialistic country

Portuguese Family Really big on family Extended family is close Classes (low, middle, high) Families expect more responsibilities out of children (i.e. house duties, caring for relatives, etc.) Little is more to them God is a big part of their lives. They come together for church (etc.) everyday

Virginia Beach Current Event Rising gas prices come up in the United States. It just hit the four dollar mark starting from the West to the East. People all throughout the country are struggling, trying to get to everyday places, like work or the grocery store. Considering many people are out of jobs at the moment, the rising gas prices are proving to be a huge reason why so many National Parks are losing money, due to the fact that no one can afford to travel. Gas prices are proving to increase by the day. Link: taxes-and-price-divergencehttp://theenergycollective.com/geoffrey-styles/56363/gas- taxes-and-price-divergence

Portugal Current Event Tourists and residents alike have been in a glitch because their credit cards are not allowing them to access their money. The people have gone at least two to three days without any cash and were still looking into the problem. Officials weren’t informed for at least a day. Tourists especially, were very angry due to the fact that their foreign credit cards were the ones having the most problems. Although the problem is solved now, it has still left the tourists with a sour memory of their vacation. Link:

Epal Letters Caitlin’s Epal My Epal, Andreia, is a normal fifteen year old girl who enjoys the summer time and many different meals that Portugal has to offer. She is interested in Philosophy and Geography. She also loves to study different languages. Her family is a middle class family that enjoys taking trips out to different places a couple of times a week. Andreia is a fun loving girl that really takes in pleasure in watching soccer with her favorite player, Cristiano Ronaldo. She wants to be a linguist when she gets older or a marine biologist.

Epal Letters Fabio, my epal, says “ I like playing football with friends, playing computer games and watching T.V.”. He now also practices swimming and really enjoys it. He likes to hang out with friends a lot. When Carnaval came he played football with friends Alyson’s Epal

Conclusion Aspects in Portuguese life are similar to the ones we live, there are more similarities than differences. In doing this project we have realized that American society isn’t completely off from Portuguese. Yes, they may celebrate a few different holidays or have different weather from us, but overall we are both quite similar.