Brazil: Culture, Development, & Social Justice

  Brazil

• Northern Brazil: 
Fortaleza

Term: Fall, Spring 
Dates: September-December/February-May

Description: Learn firsthand how social, political, and economic forces shape development in northeastern Brazil. The region offers stark contrasts between rich and poor, abundant rainforests and drought-plagued agriculture, avant-garde architecture and slums. A vibrant and expressive culture manifests the influences of indigenous peoples and Portuguese, African, Jewish, Dutch, and other European migrants.

In Fortaleza, the modern seaside capital of the state of Ceara, participants conduct fieldwork with organizations focused on migration, poverty, gender, human rights, and the social impact of large-scale development. A field excursion provides insight into issues relating specifically to African Brazilians and the African Diaspora.

Homestays with families from a range of socioeconomic levels deepen participants' understanding of inequities in health care, education, employment, land, and basic resources in this culturally diverse and economically challenged region.

Highlights: 16 credits; Intensive Language Study: Portuguese, Academic Seminar, Field Study Seminar, four-week Independent Study Project; Seven-week homestay in Fortaleza. Educational excursions to interior Ceara, northeast Brazil: Recife and/or Salvador.

Cost in US$: contact sponsor

Experience Required: yes

One semester of Portuguese or two semesters of a college-level Romance language other than Portuguese.

This Program is open to American and World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Brazil in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 12-15

Scholarships are Available. - To make study abroad opportunities available to a wide range of students, SIT Study Abroad offers a variety of scholarships. We base all scholarship awards on need and merit. Awards range from $500 to $5,000. For a full list of scholarships, and to download a scholarship application, please visit our web site.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Job and Internship Network

SIT Study Abroad's Mission Statement: SIT Study Abroad is the accredited higher education institution of World Learning, a private, nonprofit international organization promoting international and intercultural understanding, social justice, and economic development through education, training, and field projects around the globe. SIT prepares students to be interculturally effective leaders, professionals, and citizens through SIT Study Abroad, undergraduate, field-based academic programs operating in more than 50 countries worldwide, and thorough short-term professional training and graduate degrees in language teaching, conflict transformation, international education, social justice in intercultural relations, management, and sustainable development.

Year Founded: 1932