Via Mundo

Study

Elementary School Program

What?
Why?
Who?
How?
More info

The Elementary School Program in Brazil (Programa de Ensino Fundamental no Brasil) welcomes young students from all over the world for a special experience of cultural exchange in Brazil.

The student will study in a friendly school atmosphere, live with a local host family, learn Portuguese, make lifetime friends and improve respect and appreciation for a different culture.

Duration and Program Dates

Students can chose to study in Brazil for one term (3 months), one semester (5 months) or one full academic year (10 months). They can start their program either in mid/late January or late July.

The Brazilian academic year starts in Mid January and finishes in the end of November/ beginning of December, with holidays in July and December/January.
Participants will enjoy the easy-going Brazilian way of life and find out how simple it is to make friends, while growing more mature and learning new perspectives about the world.

By taking part in such a Program, the student also prepares for further steps such as high school or university studies.
In order to join this Program, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- be between 12 to 14 years-old (at the time of entering Brazil)
- attend Elementary school (or equivalent) in home country have good academic performance
- be in good health and have the personal skills to live an intercultural experience (flexibility, open-mindedness, and a great interest for different cultures)
- the decision to apply should not be taken solely by the parents
School

The Brazilian education system is divided into three levels: Elementary (Ensino Fundamental), Secondary (Ensino Médio), including technical and vocational education, and Higher education (Ensino Superior), undergraduate and graduate.

Inserir gráfico do sistema educacional brasileiro...

Basic education curriculum consists of a common core (as defined by the Federal Council of Education) and a diversified part (as defined by the needs of each educational system and of each school). The common core consists of Portuguese, Social Studies (including History and Geography), Physics and Biology Science and Mathematics. The diversified part takes into account regional and local characteristics, the schools' plans as well as individual differences and aptitudes of students.

Students are grouped in classes by grade, age and, in some cases, level of achievement. Achievement is assessed based on exams and minimum attendance. In Brazil, schools can be public or private. The federal public and the private schools offer the best quality education. Via Mundo places students in private schools and federal public institutes, all of them recognized by their good level of education and structure. Schools work in shifts (either morning or afternoon).

Accommodation

You will be hosted with a carefully selected Brazilian family, where you will have your daily basic meals and share daily life and routine. This way you will immerse in the Brazilian culture and live the daily life of a Brazilian student. Brazilian culture is very family-oriented and it is common to spend the weekends with the extended family at the beach, preparing barbecue, celebrating a birthday, enjoying a movie at home, travelling etc.

Local Coordinator

Throughout the Program, the student will be assisted by a Local Coordinator, who will give him/her full support and guidance. In case of any emergency, he/she may call our 24/7 emergency phone.
Welcome Orientation and Portuguese Studies

Upon arrival in Brazil, students will attend a Welcome Orientation together with other students from different countries. During the Orientation activities, they will learn about the program, some of the main cultural differences, challenges of the experience and ways to deal with them.

As a special feature of the Program, they will take an Intensive Portuguese Course in order to learn the basics to start communicating in school and with host family and friends. Portuguese language is taught by qualified teachers and studied through a specific method of Portuguese as a Foreign Language.

Following the Intensive Course, they will be offered a Regular Portuguese Course with weekly classes during the first term/semester of the Program.

Optional Trips and Activities

Throughout the program, there will be organized activities based on the students' interest. These activities include culture, sports, leisure or social projects/events, such as: dancing lessons, soccer, beach volleyball, surf, Capoeira, social projects, percussion workshops, visits to the historical center, museums etc.

In addition, Via Mundo organizes special chaperoned trips to fantastic destinations around Brazil such as: Rio de Janeiro; the Amazon Forest; the Northeastern coast; among others.

Football Training

Students interested in outdoor football can also supplement their program with football practice.

Application Process

The student must fill out the Application Form through a partner agency in home country or directly with Via Mundo’s office (in case there is not a partner agency in home country). After receiving the Application Form, the Program team will review it, check for pending information and issue acceptance and placement letters for visa purposes.

Visa Application

Brazilian government requires a temporary visa for studies in the country. Visa requirements must be confirmed at a Brazilian Consulate/Embassy in your home country. Via Mundo will issue some of the necessary documents for visa application and send them to its partner agency or to you in advance.

Fees

Information about fees and quotations

More info

Via Mundo

Study

Elementary School Program

Fees

Other programs

Curso