Brazil Força! Let’s Study Abroad

U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Lance Cheung

June is here, and so is the 2010 FIFA World Cup! In honor of this glorious event, we will explore a variety of study abroad opportunities, in one of the countries most often associated with winning: Brazil.

Brazil is the largest country in South America, comprising about half of the continent. In 2009, it was also the 20th most popular study abroad destination in the world (Open Doors 2009 Report, IIE). The country is seen as a leader in South America because of its strong economy and political influence. The official language of Brazil is Portuguese and the climate is tropical, although in the south it tends to be more temperate. There are five geographical regions in Brazil, some more popular (and suited) for study abroad than others. There are also many reputable universities with great study abroad opportunities.

North Brazil

This is Brazil’s largest region (7 states comprising 40% of the country), also known as the Amazon. It contains the country’s most vast and dense rainforest, 17% of the world’s fresh water, and many indigenous communities. Boats are the primary form of transportation, and 500,000 species of plants can be found here in this region. While the cities in the north may come second to the rainforest, some study abroad opportunities can be found in Belém and Manaus.

Belém – Situated at the mouth of the Amazon River, this city is a good starting point for trips up the river. It is also a base for research on the Amazon.

Planta aquática da Amazônia. Foto tirada no Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi na cidade de Belém. Autor: Emerson Santana Pardo

SIT Study Abroad takes advantage of this with a program on Amazon Resource Management and Human Ecology, in which students spend 4 weeks in Belém and two 3-4 day homestays in outside rural communities. This city itself is a weekend hot spot, containing several monuments and museums, a vibrant central park, and according to Lonely Planet travel guide, a “bohemian intellectual sort” of nightlife.

Northeast Brazil

The Northeast is where you will find incredible beaches, rainforest, and coral reefs. The weather is warm and sunny, the history dates back to the first Portuguese settlers in the land, and you can partake in various outdoor activities here. According to Lonely Planet, the northeast is “arguably Brazil’s most fascinating and culturally rich region.” Well-maintained historical colonial areas attract tourists, and the beach villages are where they go to experience a vibrant nightlife. Study abroad programs can be found in Fortaleza, Sao Luis, and Salvador.

Salvador de Bahia – Once the capital of Portugal’s colonial reign, Salvador is a bustling city with a strong African cultural and religious influence. This is because the heritage of the colonial-era African slaves has been very well preserved here. The city is a combination of historic and modern, and is a mecca for students interested in the arts. As such, it offers an array of study abroad options. Students can study Portuguese, Afro-Brazilian and Brazilian cultures, political issues, and liberal arts, in this bustling city.

Traditional street kitchen in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil

Central West Brazil

Most tourists travel to the central west to see the Pantanal, an enormous flood plain where many diverse forms of plants and wildlife can be spotted. The landscape in this region is one of a kind, and activities include wading in waterfalls and swimming holes, snorkeling, rafting, exploring the caverns, and taking in the panoramic views. Antioch University offers a distinct opportunity to study Brazilian ecosystems in this region.

Brasilia – One of the most unique cities and also the capital of Brazil, Brasilia was purposely built on the central plateau (Planalto) in the 1950‘s with the aim of creating an impeccably planned architectural dream. The city is modern, clean, and vibrant, and it is the seat of the Brazilian government. The city is surrounded by open skies and rolling hills, making it a beautiful place to live and study.

Southeast Brazil

Statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The main attraction in the southeast is the region’s two major cities, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. If you choose to venture outside of these cities, and you should, you will also find lovely beaches, quaint colonial villages, and a rainforest coast (Costa Verde). Several study abroad programs can be found in the two cities, which combined offer the most options for students.

Rio de Janeiro – Known as the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City), Rio harbors 23 beaches, a rich culture, and various study abroad opportunities at well-renowned universities. Stunning views from the beaches portray picturesque mountain ranges and lush rainforest. The city is famous for its yearly Carnival celebration, and it goes without saying that the locals know how to live it up. Studying abroad here is nothing short of a blast.

Rocinha (literally, Portuguese for small ranch) is the largest favela in Rio de Janeiro.

São Paulo – Sampa, as the locals call it, is the second largest urban area in the Americas (and the largest in South America) and as such, it is often compared to New York City because it, too, is its county’s cultural and economic hub. São Paulo is home to over 19 million people and has been modernized due to its subway system, various shopping malls, etc. Cultural attractions abound; you’ll find an array of museums, ethnic neighborhoods, open-air markets, concerts, theatre, samba schools, and more. The city also boasts some of the best nightclubs and restaurants in South America. This is a popular study abroad destination with opportunities to study at the Escola de Adminitração de Empresas de São Paulo, Pontificia Univerdidade Católica de São Paulo, and elsewhere.

South Brazil

The south is home to gorgeous beaches and islands, mountain ranges, lush rainforest, and a prominent European influence beyond simply Portuguese. The south is comprised of three states – Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sol. The climate is generally cooler than the rest of the country and the economy is stronger in this region.

Florianópolis – The capital of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis was voted the number one place to live and the number one place for young people in Brazil by a popular Brazilian magazine. It is also recognized as one of the safest cities in Brazil. The city is comprised of an island, a coastal mainland area, and several smaller islands. A year-round surfer’s paradise, its natural beauty has been preserved. However, there is also a cosmopolitan feel, making it a popular travel destination for South Americans. Outdoor activities such as sandboarding (in which boarders ride through sand dunes), kitesurfing, scuba diving, hiking, and hangliding, are immensely popular with the laid-back locals. ISA offers semester and summer study abroad programs at the Universidad do Sul de Santa Catarina, where students focus on language and culture studies.

Florianópolis, Santa Catarina state, Brazil. Joaquina Beach, by Herbert Vieira.

There you have it, a variety of alluring reasons to consider studying abroad in Brazil!

Posted by Brittany Lonero, San Diego, CA