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

USA Portugal

3, 718, 695 square miles

Over 30, 000 cities 2 coasts North America Population- 307, 006,

550

35, 672.4 square miles

151 cities 1 coast Europe Population- 10, 632,

069

Geography of Virginia Beach and Famalicao

Virginia Beach Famalicao

Coastal (east) Atlantic Ocean Forests, farms, and

beaches Population- 437, 994 Area- 497.3 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 (1st, 2nd, and 3rd 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. Itjust hit the four dollar mark starting from the West to the East. People all throughout the country are struggling, trying to get to everydayplaces, like work or the grocery store. Considering many people are out of jobs at themoment, the rising gas prices are proving to bea huge reason why so many National Parks are losing money, due to the fact that no one can affordto travel. Gas prices are proving to increase by the day.

Link: http://theenergycollective.com/geoffrey-styles/56363/gas-taxes-and-price-divergence

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

Link: http://www.algarveresident.com/story.asp?XID=41287

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.