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June 28th– August 9th, 2008

The following is information about the University of Florida/Florida International University summer exchange program in Rio de Janeiro. Summer 2008 will be the 19th year of the program between UF/FIU and the Instituto Brasil Estados Unidos (IBEU) in Rio de Janeiro.

CLICK HERE TO SEE 2008 FLYER

Why Brazil?
Eligibility
The Program
Financial Aid and Cost
Visa Requirements
How To Apply

WHY STUDY IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL?

Rio de Janeiro is a sophisticated, cosmopolitan city of about eight million people. With its world-famous beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, and its equally famous Sugar Loaf and Corcovado mountains and Tijuca Forest, this fascinating city is considered by many to be the most beautiful in the world. Its lifestyle is casual and although its seasons are the reverse of ours, its climate resembles that of Miami and permits a wide range of leisure activities including ocean bathing all year round.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Students from all over the country may apply. Those in good standing who have completed their first semester of their freshman year, be at least 18 years of age and have completed two semesters of Portuguese or one intensive Portuguese course. Many FLAS winners recipients have gone on this program. Students from other universities and community colleges are encouraged to apply.

Students spend three and a half hours in class (8:45am to 12:15pm, with a coffee break in between) Monday through Friday, with one or two afternoon lectures per week on aspects of Brazilian culture.

WHAT IS THE PROGRAM?

Length
The program runs for six weeks from the last week in June through the first week of August, corresponding to UF summer session B. In 2008 the dates will be, for arrival, Sat. June 28, with classes starting Mon. June 30; August 8 is the graduation ceremony. Students may return to the US after August 8, but many prefer to travel to other areas in Brazil. Six semester hours of credit are transferred upon successful completion of the program.

Content
Participants earn three credits in Brazilian language (three different levels are offered: Intermediate 1 and 2, and Advanced) and three credits in Brazilian culture. Student placement for language instruction is determined by a test given on the first day of classes. Culture classes taught in Portuguese by UF faculty are supplemented by lectures given by Brazilian specialists on a variety of subjects. Classes are held at the IBEU (Instituto Brasil-Estados Unidos); located in the heart of the Copacabana section of Rio de Janeiro, close to the beach. IBEU is a well-known and highly regarded center for language instruction with pleasant classrooms, language laboratory, computer lab with 18 web-ready computers, library and excellent Brazilian instructors. The program also offers organized excursions, which may include tours of Parati, Petrópolis, Rio's historic center and Santa Teresa neighborhood, as well as Sugar Loaf and Corcovado. Students are encouraged to learn about the city and Brazil by reading tour guides (such as the Lonely Planet Series on Brazil) and academic studies such as Marshall C. Eakin's Brazil: The Once and Future Country, in addition to material supplied by the Study Abroad Office. Of course there are several excellent websites about Brazil as a travel destination and/or subject of study, see especially www.BrazilMax.com.

Housing
All students normally live with Brazilian hosts. Host families vary in nature; different households may include single women, nuclear families or senior citizens, and IBEU makes the best match possible based on a questionnaire distributed to all students before departure. All hosts live within easy reach of the institute where classes are held. Two meals a day are typically provided by the Brazilian family. Most students prefer to eat lunch out. Arrangements for special meals or dietary needs, health concerns (such as smoking) should be made in advance and must be included in the housing questionnaire provided by Study Abroad.

Transportation in Brazil
There are a wide variety of ways to get around Rio. Many forms of public transportation are readily available at minimal cost. Bus travel between cities is also very comfortable and reasonably priced. Air Travel is also available to reach more distant cities such as São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Recife, etc. Students wishing to visit other areas of Brazil are encouraged to purchase an airpass through Varig prior to departure from the US as they are not available within Brazil. NB: Airfare to Rio de Janeiro is not included in the price of the program.

General Education and Summer Requirements
The course is designed to fulfill 6 hours of academic requirements. With prior approval students may apply their course work towards summer residency, general education requirements, electives, and major/minor requirements for graduation. Students are required to receive academic approval for their participation in the program PRIOR to that participation. Credits earned on the program transfer to the University of Florida, but grades are not computed in students' GPAs by the registrar's office. Students receive 3 hours of language credit and 3 hours of culture credit. The program was created with FLAS recipients in mind, and a letter about language study and contact hours is available.

COSTS

Program costs will be approximately $3,450 for tuition and related program expenses. Airfare is NOT included. Most students spend about $1000-1500 on round trip airfare and some buy an air pass in the US ($500) to see five cities in Brazil after the program ends. It is recommended to bring between $500 and $1000 for spending money for meals, busfare, travel and entertainment. For purposes of graduate students receiving Title VI/FLAS scholarships, total program costs run between $4,000 to $5,000 (counting airfare as part of the scholarship). Program fees cover on site orientation, language and culture instruction, housing/some meals (breakfast and dinner). (FLAS breakdown: $2300 program, $1200 US carrier airfare, $500-1000 lunch money, busfare, and travel). For detailed accounting check with Ms. June Bristol: jbristol@ufic.ufl.edu. IBEU offers several optional excursions (Corcovado, Sugarloaf, Santa Teresa), some for an additional cost. NB: A group bus will pick up students at the airport early to mid-morning on the designated Saturday morning (cost included and non-refundable).

Financial Aid
Students should check with their Financial Aid office to determine whether they are eligible for financial assistance. University of Florida students who normally receive financial aid (including scholarships) may continue to receive it while studying overseas. Arrangements must be made with the Overseas Studies and Financial Aid offices. Students not attending UF should apply to their home university for financial assistance. UF undergraduates who apply before March 1 may be eligible for scholarships through the Overseas Studies office. Limited scholarships for Portuguese majors at UF are also available through the Department of Romance Languages (UBS Scholarship) and the Center for Latin American Studies (Alfred E. Hower Scholarship), with deadlines in mid-March.

Health Insurance
Major Medical health insurance that includes coverage while outside of the United States is mandatory. Verification of major medical health insurance coverage meeting UF standards is required. All participating students will automatically be enrolled in a 24 hour emergency assistance, medical evacuation insurance policy for an added minimal fee. Check with UF-OSS for additional information on coverage requirements.

PASSPORT

Brazil requires a student visa for all students who are U.S. citizens, which can be downloaded from the Brazilian Consulates' web sites. The Miami Consulate Webpage, for example, has visa application forms : http://www.brazilmiami.org/ We recommend that participants start early on the visa process, as a police record check must be included before a student visa can be issued. (The Brazilian Embassy also has a web site: http://www.brasilemb.org) Those with a foreign passport or dual citizenship should check with the Brazilian consulate.

All participants must have a valid passport that remains valid for the duration of travel in Brazil. UF Overseas Studies will provide necessary documentation of your participation in the program for student visa purposes (a letter signed by the program coordinator). The address of IBEU is Av. Nossa Senhora de Copacabana, 690. CEP 22050, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Tel. (021) 548-8332; Fax (021) 236-5509. Some consulates require in-person applications, therefore plan ahead, or send your passport and application via express mail to the Miami Consulate: 2601 S. Bayshore Dr. Suite 800, Miami FL, 33133. (305) 285-6200. Students encountering difficulties should contact UF Overseas Studies program or the program coordinator.

HOW AND WHEN CAN I APPLY?

To confirm a place in the program, applicants for the program should apply no later than April 1 for the Summer term. We also encourage those applying for Title VI money to apply at this time to avoid late fees. This past year, the program has become more competitive and early application in addition to solid credentials are necessary to guarantee a place in the program. No applications will be accepted after April 15. In addition, this will allow time to obtain travel documents and tickets for participation. Application materials may be obtained online at www.abroad.ufic.ufl.edu navigate to Study Abroad.

To contact the Study Abroad Office advisor to the Rio program, please write to Angela Grindal, agrindal@ufl.edu

PROGRAM/ACADEMIC COORDINATOR FOR 2008-2009

Dr. Charles Perrone
Department of Romance Languages and Literatures (see above for mailing address)
Office: Grinter Hall, 335
Center for Latin American Studies
PHONE: (352) 392-2100
FAX: (352) 392-5679
E-mail: cap@rll.ufl.edu

For more information about this program, please contact Dr. Charles Perrone at cap@rll.ufl.edu
or visit his HOME PAGE
UF in Rio, Brazil - Language and Culture

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