Intrax Deadlines

Brazil - Academic Year / Semester

Program Details
Full Brochure

Students who choose a semester or an academic year program in Brazil will live with a host family and attend a local high school.

Experience

More than a sport, futebol (soccer) is the national passion in Brazil. Some businesses and schools may even close during the World Cup or important national competitions. Volleyball, basketball and tennis are popular as well. Traditional dances and regional festivals are favorite activities. Brazilians seize the opportunity to celebrate any occasion, often with singing and samba dancing. Weekend and holiday barbecues are common.

Schools in Brazil do not offer extra-curricular activities. Activities will typically be planned by your host family and friends.

Learn

Schools in Brazil begin in mid-February after summer vacation (the seasons in Brazil are the opposite of those in the U.S.) and finish by the end of November. The Intrax program is adapted so that students may participate in an academic year program from July to June, a fall semester program from July to January, or a spring semester from January to July.

The school year is divided into four quarters with one vacation break for four weeks in July. Summer vacation is from December to February. In general, classes in Brazil begin at 7:00 am and end at noon. Students and parents often have lunch at home, as it is the most important meal of the day. There is no school on Sunday, but some schools do have classes or tests on Saturday mornings. Brazilian students are expected to spend the afternoon studying independently at home. Depending on the year in which students are placed, they will be required to take a standard set of courses with their Brazilian classmates. These courses include: Portuguese language, biology, Brazilian literature, chemistry, geography, physics, mathematics, history, geometry, civics, physical education, and English.

While no previous language study is required, we strongly suggest that students prepare by learning some basic phrases in Portuguese, as all classes will be taught in Portuguese for the Academic Year, Fall Semester and Spring Semester programs.

Why study Portuguese? Portuguese is the first language of over 190 million people and considered one of the 10 most influential languages in the world!

Program Details

Students will stay with carefully selected host families throughout Brazil. Common placement areas in the past have included Goiania, Curitiba, and Santa Maria. Students are not placed in large metropolitan areas, such as Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, nor are they placed in extremely rural locations. Families in Brazil are typically very close, so activities that gather the entire family, including extended family, are common. Adjustment to host family life and Brazilian culture will be assisted by a program representative.

Students will participate in an intensive 10-hour Portuguese couse spread out over the first month of the program. For an additional fee, a language teacher can be hired to help students learn or improve Portuguese language skills while on program.

Intrax students will be given the opportunity to join various group trips and excursions. The prices of these trips vary depending on length and number of cities visited. Excursions in the past have included: a Northeast tour, which includes a stop in Rio de Janeiro, a tour of Buenos Aires, a tour of Southern Brazil, and an Amazon expedition. More detailed information about the optional excursions and pricing will be provided once students are on program.

Requirements

• 15 - 18 years old at start of program (19 year old students may be considered on a case by case basis)
• 2.5 GPA or higher (4.0 scale)
• Flexible and mature personality; desire to be challenged, ability to remain open-minded and tolerant of cultural differences

Program Information

*All dates are approximations and vary from year to year. Academic Year programs are also available from January 25 to January 5.

Factors to Consider

Students should expect an initial cost of about $300 for school expenses such as registration fees, books, laboratory fees, supplies, uniform, and sports activities fees. This fee varies from school to school.

In order to apply for a Brazilian visa, students may be required to apply in person at one of the eight Brazilian consulates in the United States. Depending on where you live, this may require travel. In order to find the Brazilian consulate that covers your region in the United States, go to http://www.brasilemb.org/consulado/consular_jurisdictions.shtml. It is also important to note that the visa application process can take up to 4 weeks to complete.

In addition to obtaining a visa, students will have to register with the Brazilian government upon arrival. The fee for a Brazilian identification card is approximately $75.00.

Vaccinations may be required prior to departure.

Program Includes:

• Round-trip airfare from a major international airport near your home (in the continental U.S.) including domestic and international flights
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure
• Homestay accommodation including meals with your host family
• Placement in a local high school
• Accident and illness insurance
• 24-hour emergency assistance
• Pre-departure and in-country orientations
• Supervision, guidance, and support during the application process and throughout the program
• Intrax T-Shirt ( girls | boys )
• Intrax Student Handbook

Program does not include:

• Passport and visa application fees as applicable
• Personal expenses (e.g., toiletries, clothing, internet, calling card, activities)
• School expenses (e.g., uniform/lunches, if required, supplies, bus pass)
• Any other item not specified

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