Program Provider: CIEE

Program Site: CIEE center and the Pontificia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC) campus. PUC is ranked among the top universities in Brazil and has 19,000 undergraduates. The PUC campus is located in a residential area not far from São Paulo's Avenida Paulista with good access to public transportation.  The neighborhood around PUC has gyms, bookstores, and cafés.

Duration: Fall, Spring or year. Fall semester runs from late June to early December; Spring semester runs from early January to late June.

Description: São Paulo is a multicultural megalopolis of more than 17 million people. It boasts a modern subway system, distinct ethnic neighborhoods, a plethora of visual and performing arts venues, and of course soccer and samba.  The city is a business and transportation hub for Brazil and South America and is just a few hours away from some beautiful beaches.

Students participating in this program are encouraged to consider a minor in Latin American Studies, offered through the Department of Spanish & Portuguese.

Academics: All courses are taught in Portuguese. Students spending the spring semester in Brazil will begin in early January in São Paulo with a four-week Intensive Language and Culture class (for 4 USC units). Students spending the fall semester in Brazil will begin in late June in Salvador da Bahia with a 5-week Intensive Language and Culture Program (for 6 USC units). After the Intensive Language and Culture Program, students will then take semester-long courses.

Semester-long courses: All students take Semester Portuguese (3 units), one CIEE core course called Brazilian Issues & Realities, and two or three direct enrollment courses at PUC. CIEE São Paulo students will have the possibility of selecting courses in several departments as long as they fulfill the prerequisites.

Subjects available include anthropology, art history, biological sciences, economics, geography, history, international relations, journalism, Latin American studies, literature, philosophy, political science, Portuguese language, psychology, sociology, religion, and urban planning. 

Course load and Credit: Students take 4 to 5 courses per semester and can earn a maximum of 20 USC units per semester or 36 USC units for the academic year.

Accommodations: Brazilian homestay; two meals per day are provided.

Activities and Other Program Features: The program includes one weekend and one overnight field trip in Brazil and visits to sites of historical and cultural importance in São Paulo. In the past, students have visited Rio de Janeiro, Ouro Preto, or the colonial coastal town of Paraty; the headquarters and community of the Landless Movement; Aparecida do Norte, the most famous center of devotion for the Brazilian Catholic population; and a samba school.

Through PUC's Núcleo de Trabalhos Comunitários (Center for Community Work), CIEE students may find a volunteer opportunity in São Paulo in the areas of education or community building.

Eligibility: Minimum 3.0 GPA and two semesters of college-level Portuguese or four semesters of college-level Spanish (or the equivalent). Portuguese is taught at USC, and students are encouraged but not required to take Portuguese before studying in Brazil.

Estimated Semester Cost:
Tuition.............................$13,148
Additional Expenses*.........$11,790
Total................................$24,938

Cost Updated: 12/12/11
Text Updated: 12/06/12

*Additional expenses include estimated costs for airfare, room and board, books and supplies, health insurance, and personal expenses (which can vary greatly from student to student). USC financial aid, scholarships, and tuition remission may be applied to program costs. Please visit the Office of Overseas Studies for more detailed cost information.

Links:
CIEE, Sao Paulo
CIEE Course Syllabi