INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Show your respect to Brazilian culture by learning at least basic Portuguese. True, English is spoken in many of the larger cities, but because Brazil as a whole is so diverse, Portuguese is the go-to as most people understand it. There are a number of apps, YouTube videos, and websites (wikiHow included) that can facilitate your language acquisition – without the hefty fees of a CD program, like Rosetta Stone. Do a few quick searches online and start teaching yourself if shoving out a chunk of change isn't your style. To fit in, it’s imperative to know how to greet people. The “air kiss” is stereotypical: one in some contexts, two in others. It's more of a cheek bounce than anything, though. Don't try to lip-lock a local!  Word of warning: Paulistanos (those from São Paulo) kiss-greet only on the right cheek. Cariocas (those from Rio de Janeiro) do their greeting with two kisses (beijos), one on each cheek. If you don’t know how many to give, pause after the first kiss. The other person then will or won’t initiate the second. Many foreigners come to Brazil and are shocked by how late they eat – 8 PM is pretty normal for the start of a long, casual dinner. Taking a siesta or spending hours to eat are totally accepted, normal, and, in fact, important to life in Brazil. This is mirrored in all of life in Brazil. They naturally take everything easy and go at a slower rate. At first it will seem strange, but after getting used to it, you'll never want to go to the harried pace that's overtaken the West. "Feijoada" (black beans and pork stew) and "Churrasco" (all you can eat barbecue) are sure bets. In the state of Minas Gerais, try dozens of kinds of cheese with doce-de-leite (custard-like paste) and homemade jams.  Craving a taste of the West? Ordered a pizza? While the pizza in Brazil is very, very good, it’s also different. It will come with olive oil drizzled on top, and mayo and ketchup for dipping. It can also be hard to find traditional Western toppings, such as pepperoni. However, this is a good chance to try more unusual toppings. Do not always buy snacks at the beach because there's a possibility of food poisoning. On the other hand, drinking in public on the beaches is perfectly normal and allowed. In Rio, you’ll likely see fabulous colors donned by both men and women (though women in particular). But in the south and in the interior of the country, people tend to be a bit more conservative.  If you’re in a business setting, wear a full suit if you’re a man or a women (for women, skirts are acceptable). This is true even if it’s a whopping 43°C (110°F). And in church or government buildings, don’t wear shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or a miniskirt – you won’t be allowed in. But everywhere else, just about everything goes. Let your body acclimate. Don’t always turn the air conditioning on (if you have it). The more your body experiences the heat, the easier it will be to take. The extreme heat and humidity can tire a person very quickly. Allowing your body to adjust to the different weather is important for thriving in Brazil. Pedestrians do not have the right of way, especially in larger cities. Those crosswalks and signs you’re seeing? Most of those are considered as decorations to the drivers. Always be on the lookout – you may not necessarily be stopped for.  Avoid the commuter hours if you can, whether you're on foot, in a car, or using public transit. Imagine LA or New York at 5 pm, and that’s Brazil more often than not. If you need to get somewhere by a specific time, allow a lot of extra time for traffic. This also means you’ll be dealing with loads and loads of pollution, at least in the big cities. Plan rural escapes to get away and literally get a breath of fresh air when you need it.

SUMMARY: Learn basic Portuguese. Learn the appropriate greetings. Get in sync with their schedule. Try the food! Get the dress right. Don’t cross the street just yet!

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: In the past, you could be the best player on your team in your senior year of high school and that would be enough to secure you a scholarship. Things have changed and colleges now try to identify players much earlier than before. Aim to play on your school's basketball team all throughout high school to increase the chances of getting a scholarship. Practice as often as possible, and make sure you practice the right way. Instead of shooting randomly at the hoop, practice specific drills to improve your skills. For instance, set a goal to make 10 free throws in a row before you move onto another drill. The Amateur Athletic Union promotes amateur sports in the United States. While playing on your high school team is vital for getting a scholarship, you can increase your chances by joining a team outside of school as well. Not only will you be playing more basketball, you'll also be able to develop your game by playing with different players.  Playing for more than one team will show college recruiters that you are dedicated, driven, and have a passion for the sport. The AAU breaks their teams down into age groups. It has 17-and-under and 15-and-under teams. Tournaments that are sponsored by the AAU are sometimes called high-profile recruiting camps because collegiate basketball programs rely on the tournaments to scout the best players in a central location. You can find the Amateur Athletic Union website here: http://aausports.org/. Summer camps and showcase events are attended by coaches from colleges across the United States. You can use these events to stand out and show your talent in front of these coaches, all of whom are looking to recruit some talent for their college teams. You can also talk to and develop connections with coaches at these events.  You can find details for camps in your area at the following website: http://www.basketballcampsusa.com/. The NCAA website contains details of the most elite basketball showcase camps: https://web3.ncaa.org/bbcs/publishedEvents.

SUMMARY:
Play basketball as much as you can to improve your game. Join an Amateur Athletic Union team in your area. Attend summer camps to grab coaches' attention.