Via Mundo

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University Experience Program in Brazil

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The University Experience Program offers you the possibility of experiencing University in Brazil for one semester or a whole academic year.

You become a visitor student and, besides studying the curriculum of your chosen course, you will be offered Portuguese instruction during the first semester of the Program.

Duration and Program Start

You can chose to study in Brazil for one one semester (5 months) or one full academic year (10 months). You can start your program either in mid/late January or late July (for both the semester or year program).

The Brazilian academic year starts in mid/late January and finishes in the end of November/beginning of December, with holidays in July and December/January. The courses usually open new groups every new semester.
You learn/improve a new language, expand your research contact network and develop skills for your future academic and professional career, studying in an exciting atmosphere!
In order to join the Program, you must meet these requirements:
- be at least 18 years-old
- have finished High School in home country
- be in good health and have the personal skills to live an intercultural experience (such as responsibility, flexibility, and open-mindedness).
Nationalities

We have welcomed students from different countries and nationalities: USA, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Colombia. The diversity of nationalities increases every year.
Schooling

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

Undergraduate courses may last from 2 up to 6 years, depending on the chosen course. In Brazil, there are public and private universities. The federal public universities offer the best quality education. Via Mundo places students in both private and public institutions, all of them recognized for their good level of education and structure and accredited by the Brazilian Ministry of Education. Courses are offered in the three shifts (morning, afternoon or evening).

Course Options

You can choose a specific course in a private or public University. In the application form, you are supposed to list 5 (five) courses in order of preference and we will discuss availability with the institutions.

Classes at University are taught in Portuguese. Below, you can find a list of the most common courses available for foreign students:
- Administração (Business Administration)
- Artes Visuais (Visual Arts)
- Contabilidade (Accountancy)
- Direito (Law)
- Pedagogia (Pedagogy)
- Educação Física (Physical Education)
- Arquitetura e Urbanismo (Architecture and Urbanism)
- Engenharia de Produção (Production Engineering)
- Engenharia Civil (Civil Engineering)
- Engenharia Mecânica (Mechanical Engineering)
- Sistemas de Informação (Information Systems)
Accommodation

You can be hosted with a carefully selected Brazilian family or in a residence or rented apartment upon availability and acceptance. Other accommodation options are at your own search. The homestay option includes your daily basic meals.

Local Coordinator

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

Upon arrival in Brazil, you will attend a Welcome Orientation together with other students from different countries. During the Orientation activities, you 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, you will attend an Intensive Portuguese Course in order to learn the basics to start communicating, followed by a weekly regular course. Portuguese language is taught by qualified teachers and studied through a specific method of Portuguese as a Foreign Language.

Optional Trips and Activities

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

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

Application Process

You must fill out an 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 your 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.

After you have has been accepted by a University, we will send you the specific fees for the chosen course (if in a private university).

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.