Last Friday, EC Miami said goodbye to our first student. It’s hard to believe that we are already having goodbyes when we have only just begun as a center! We had a small certificate ceremony for Manuella from Brazil who studied at EC Miami for three weeks. Nicoletta, our Academic Director, made a speech and presented Manuella with a certificate at the short event, which all of our students attended. Elisa, one of Manuella’s teachers, also made a remark about what a pleasure it was to have Manuella in class because of her unique sense of humor. An embarrassed, Manuella was coerced into making an impromptu speech, in which she thanked everyone at EC Miami. She will be missed from our small EC community on South Beach. We look forward to more graduations in the future, but we are sad that it is already time to start saying goodbye to more of our students. We look forward to welcoming more students in the future, but it is always difficult to see them depart!

Last night a group of EC Miami students and staff parked their blankets and appetizers down on the lawn in front of the New World Symphony in excited anticipation of the 1939 viewing of “Gone with the Wind”.  Students and staff gathered early to enjoy the picnic atmosphere of the open outdoor event under the stars.   While they nibbled on cheese and crackers, they used their best listening devices to decipher meaning from the Southern drawl that was typical to the time/setting of the film.  Nobody could deny the beauty and intrigue of the costumes, the set design, the landscape and oh! Did I forget to mention Rhett Butler?! It was, figuratively and literally, a “feast” for the eyes!  

It’s impossible to miss the enormous and striking parking garage attached to EC Miami’s building. This concrete parking garage by the firm Herzog & de Meuron has won awards for its architecture, and it is much more than just a garage. It is also home to a few stores, it is used as a venue for many parties and events, and it even has a penthouse apartment! The 1111 garage has also been shown in television series and advertisements and many people now recognize it as a Lincoln Road and South Beach landmark. Best of all, EC Miami is right next door! In the most recent issue of the well-known magazine, Vanity Fair, there is an entire article dedicated to the 1111 parking garage. It gives you information about our garage, as well as the architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron, which also designed the Bird’s Nest for the Beijing Olympics. If you would like to learn more about the garage click here to read the entire article. For our students who don’t already know, there is a fantastic view from the top floor of the garage and you don’t need to park there to see it. Everyone who studies at EC Miami, or visits Miami for any reason, should spend at least one evening watching the stunning sunset over Miami Beach from the top of this iconic parking structure.

EC Miami is now open and the students and teachers are loving life on Miami Beach. We have already had fun activities including a Miami City Tour, a trip to see the alligators of the mighty Everglades, and an outlet shopping extravaganza. Students are already looking forward to watching “Gone with the Wind” under the stars on a beautiful Miami night in January. No coats required here! Some students are also preparing to meet their childhood heros, Mickey, Minnie and the whole Disney gang in Orlando. Classes are also growing by the minute as more students arrive every week. We have started doing activities to combine classes together for projects. Students are also learning about important elements of American culture. We watched part of the the Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech together and learned about this influential man.   As the days pass EC Miami continues to grow and we are looking forward to more beach volleyball, class activities, and new students. Watch this space for more EC Miami updates and excitement!