CIEE Liberal Arts Program in Sao Paulo, Brazil

  Brazil

• Sao Paulo: 
Sao Paulo

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Throughout the year 
Dates: Fall 22 weeks: late June-early December; Spring 24 weeks: early-January-late June; Academic Year 48 weeks: late June-late June; Calendar Year 45 weeks: early January - early December

Description: The overarching goal of the Liberal Arts program is to provide an opportunity for students to learn about a significant, but sometimes overlooked, country in Latin America. Colonized by the Portuguese, Brazil offers a different linguistic and cultural experience than the Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. Specifically, students will improve their oral and written Portuguese language skills; acquire knowledge of contemporary Brazil and the São Paulo region; and have the opportunity to take a broad range of courses at a Brazilian university.

Academic Program
The program in São Paulo was established in 1973 and has been administered by CIEE since 1989. The program begins with an Intensive Language and Culture Program (ILCP), held in Salvador da Bahia for the fall semester and in São Paulo for the spring semester. In the fall semester, students enroll in a three- credit language course and a three-credit interdisciplinary culture course prior to the regular semester. In the spring semester, students enroll in an intensive, four-credit language and culture course prior to the regular semester. The ILCP prepares students for the regular semester by giving them the opportunity to focus intensively on Portuguese language acquisition, while learning about Brazilian contemporary society. The regular semester offers a combination of direct enrollment classes at a Brazilian university, CIEE Portuguese language courses, and specially designed CIEE courses about Brazilian issues and realities. This program is ideal for those who want to better understand Brazilian society and culture and improve their Portuguese language, or for advanced Spanish speakers who would like to learn Portuguese.

Academic Culture
While U.S. students are accustomed to a very structured academic system, Brazilian professors generally leave students on their own to determine the intensity of their work. This approach is geared towards the student who is motivated, self-sufficient, and deeply interested in the subject matter. It is a more rigorous, autonomous academic system. Some U.S. students could misperceive that the workload is light and that there are very few assignments. However, students are given bibliographies for courses with the expectation that they read as many of the listings as possible and select those titles that best meet their needs and interests. In some courses, the entire grade is based on a term paper or critical analysis of a particular article, with the expectation that the paper be based upon a fairly extensive reading from the bibliography. This relative freedom places a great deal of responsibility on the student.

The CIEE academic year program coincides roughly with the North American academic year, taking place from late June to late June of the following year, and the CIEE calendar year program coincides with the Brazilian academic year, taking place from early January to early December. Academic year students have a two-month break between fall and spring semesters and are encouraged to travel independently throughout other parts of Brazil and Latin America. Calendar year students have a break of four weeks between the Brazilian first and second semesters (the North American spring and fall semesters).

Highlights:

• Intensive language and culture pre-session to prepare for direct matriculation
  
• University located in São Paulo, a cultural and economic center shaped by globalization, diverse economic heritages, and influential social movements
  
• Volunteer opportunities with the Urban Landless Movement organization
  
• Cultural activities, such as visits to a samba school, soccer match, Brazilian concerts and museums; two weekend field trips to places such as Rio de Janeiro and the colonial city of Paraty

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing

Experience Required: yes