ISA in Florianopolis, Brazil: Language, Culture and Economics

  Brazil

• Southern Brazil: 
Florianopolis

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer 
Dates: contact sponsor

Description: Florianópolis consistently ranks as one of Brazil's top five safest cities and has recently been recognized as one of the world's top travel destinations. In 2008 the city was voted the #1 place to live in Brazil by Veja magazine, Brazil's most widely read publication. Veja also named Florianópolis the #1 destination for young people in Brazil. The city is one of Brazil's pristine destinations with exquisite dining and nightlife, untouched nature reserves, innumerable parks, and charming fishing villages that showcase a wealth of landscapes, aromas, and colors.

Florianopolis, composed of one main island, one continental part and surrounding small islands, is a beautiful city in southern Brazil. Modern and cosmopolitan, yet blessed with tremendous natural beauty, Florianopolis is a unique destination where past and present coexist harmoniously. This popular Brazilian city has a total of 42 main beaches, rolling mountains in the Atlantic rainforest, soft white sand dunes, and an array of offshore islands. It is one of Brazil's pristine destinations with exquisite dining and nightlife, untouched nature reserves, innumerable parks, and charming little fishing villages that showcase a wealth of landscapes, aromas, and colors. In addition to this, Florianopolis ranks as one of Brazil's safest cities and was voted the #1 best place to live in Brazil by Veja magazine, Brazil's most widely read publication.

Highlights: Points of Interest in the City
Be sure not to miss:

Dunas da Joaquina - Rumored to be the birthplace of the sport of sandboarding, these rolling sand dunes located on the eastern side of the Island of Santa Catarina are visible for miles. Visitors can rent sand boards (similar to snow boards) and try their hand at skiing down sloping hills of sand.

Praia de Joaquina - Directly beside the sand dunes resides the world-famous Joaquina Beach, which boasts powerful year-round waves and is always bustling with music, parties, and youthful activity.

Praia Mole - One of the most popular beaches on the Island of Santa Catarina, Mole is named after the soft, pink sand that covers the shore. It is known to attract beautiful, young and fashionable people along with world class surfers who enjoy the consistently good waves.

Lagoa de Conceição - This breathtaking lagoon is located just outside of Florianópolis on the Island of Santa Catarina to the East. It is a top destination for water sports, late-night parties, and spectacular views along the backdrop of forested hills that surround the lake.

Old Customs House - built in 1876 to be the new customs house, today houses a gallery of local artists from Santa Catarina.

Mercado Publico Municipal - built in 1898 as the new public marketplace, today houses 140 stands, featuring fish and meat markets, arts and crafts, clothing, etc.

Praça XV de Noviembro - the city's old town square, is where Florianópolis began and the historical buildings proudly stand. Most of the buildings have been beautifully restored. In the center of the Praça is a fig tree that is over 100 years old. Legend says that walking around the tree seven times is supposed to bring fortune in love and money.

Catedral Metropolitana - originated from a chapel built in 1675 and several churches have been erected over top of this chapel. At night, the Cathedral becomes particularly beautiful when it is illuminated from within.

Palácio Cruz e Souza - built in 1770 as the governor's headquarters, today houses the Museu Historica de Santa Catarina. The building has a mixture of neoclassic and baroque architecture. Hercilio Luz Bridge completed in 1926, today still stands as one of the longest suspension bridges in the world at 820 meters.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Contact Sponsor

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Brazil Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Scholarships are Available. Thousands of dollars in ISA scholarships are available! Please visit the ISA website for scholarship information.

Application Process Involves:

• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

ISA (International Studies Abroad)'s Mission Statement: ISA's mission is to provide high quality education abroad opportunities to American and Canadian college students at an affordable price. We recognize that we play an important role in the worldwide effort of international educators to increase individuals' awareness of cultures and societies outside of their own national boundaries. Our programs are designed to maximize our participants' learning abroad, and we understand that most college students need support and expert guidance before, during and after their time abroad. ISA is a Global Partner of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and supports NAFSA's efforts to advance international education and exchange.

Year Founded: 1987