language + culture

Quick Info

By Term

• Fall 2014
• Spring 2014
• Spring 2015
• Academic year 2014-2015
• Calendar year 2014

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Program Overview

Come explore Rio’s dynamic and evolving social, cultural, and economic landscape while immersing yourself in Carioca culture and Brazilian society.

In Rio de Janeiro, students with a modest background in Spanish or Portuguese have the opportunity to follow a range of academic, intellectual, and linguistic pursuits and examine the modern transformation of Brazil. And with homestays, volunteer opportunities, and a variety of cultural activities and excursions, study abroad in Rio offers you a fascinating and truly unique intercultural experience.

Study abroad in Rio and you will:

• Enjoy one of the most beautiful urban settings in the world and the cultural epicenter of Latin America’s largest, fastest growing, and most dynamic economy
• Take courses, in English, at Brazil’s top university, and Portuguese classes specifically designed for international students
• Volunteer at local NGOs, schools, and other organizations as part of an integrated CIEE community engagement program
• Immerse yourself in Brazilian academic and social life through homestays with local families

The CIEE Difference

Coursework

Begin or continue your study of Portuguese while selecting from a variety of area studies courses, taught in English, on subjects such as Brazilian history, culture, foreign policy, literature, and management. Most students who complete a pre-term Intensive Portuguese Language Course are also able to directly enroll in classes at the local host institution, The Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio).

Excursions

Enjoy a number of excursions throughout the semester to various points of interest around Rio and Brazil. These activities may include a tour of Rio de Janeiro, guided visits to the city’s numerous national museums, tours of historical neighborhoods, attending soccer matches, participating in Carnaval activities, and taking advantage of Rio’s rich and diverse arts culture.

In addition, there is one overnight field trip each semester—a cultural and educational trip to either Salvador da Bahia in Brazil’s Afro-Caribbean northeast region, or Ouro Prieto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former mining town famed for its colonial architecture.

Immersion

Community engagement is an important cultural and educational component of this study abroad program, and Rio de Janeiro has a rich culture of volunteerism and community service. You’ll get a firsthand look at the challenges facing Rio de Janeiro and its surrounding areas through group community engagement activities with various organizations and communities throughout the greater Rio area.

Dates, Deadlines & Fees

We want to make sure you get the most out of your experience when you study abroad with CIEE, which is why we offer the most inclusions in our fees.

• Tuition and housing
• Pre-departure advising and optional on-site airport meet and greet
• Full-time program leadership and support
• Field trips and cultural activities
• CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits

Please note, program dates are subject to change. Please contact your CIEE Study Abroad Advisor before purchasing airfare. Click the button to view more detailed information about dates and fees as well as estimated additional costs. Please talk with your University Study Abroad Advisor about additional fees that may be charged by your home institution when participating in a program abroad.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs

Fall 2014

04/01/2014

TBA

TBA

$18,850

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$14,598

Housing ***

$3,850

Insurance

$102

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

*** includes breakfast

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee

$1,000

International Airfare *

$1,450

Local Transportation

$750

Books & Supplies

$200

Visa Fees **

$270

Potential travel to consulate for visa

$500

Personal expenses

$1,300

Other ***

$200

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

** average cost

*** local government registration

Spring 2014 (25 wks)

10/01/2013

01/04/2014

06/27/2014

$18,850

Program Date Notes

Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$14,598

Housing ***

$3,850

Insurance

$102

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

*** includes breakfast

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee

$1,000

International Airfare *

$1,450

Local Transportation

$750

Books & Supplies

$200

Visa Fees **

$270

Potential travel to consulate for visa

$500

Personal expenses

$1,300

Other ***

$200

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

** average cost

*** local government registration

Spring 2015

10/01/2014

TBA

TBA

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

Estimated Additional Costs

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

Academic year 2014-2015

04/01/2014

TBA

TBA

$35,800

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$27,698

Housing ***

$7,700

Insurance

$102

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

*** includes breakfast

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee

$2,000

International Airfare *

$1,450

Local Transportation

$1,500

Books & Supplies

$400

Visa Fees **

$270

Potential travel to consulate for visa

$500

Personal expenses

$2,600

Other ***

$200

Expenses during break ****

$1,400

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

** average cost

*** local government registration

**** academic year students are responsible for housing and meals during the semester break, which is approximately two months

Calendar year 2014

10/01/2013

01/04/2014

TBA

$35,800

Program Date Notes

Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$27,698

Housing ***

$7,700

Insurance

$102

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

*** includes breakfast

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee

$2,000

International Airfare *

$1,450

Local Transportation

$1,500

Books & Supplies

$400

Visa Fees **

$270

Potential travel to consulate for visa

$500

Personal expenses

$2,600

Other ***

$200

Expenses during break ****

$600

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

** average cost

*** local government registration

**** calendar year students are responsible for housing and meals during the semester break

Eligibility

• Overall GPA 2.75
• 1 semester of Portuguese or 2 semesters of Spanish

Recommended Credit

Total recommended credit for the semester program is 18-20 semester/27-30 quarter hours. The Intensive Pre-Term Portuguese as a Second Language course includes 90 contact hours and recommended credit is 6 semester/9 quarter hours (6 credits). Elective direct enrollment courses taught in English have 60 contact hours each, with recommended credit of 4 semester/6 quarter hours. Semester Portuguese language courses have 60-90 contact hours with recommended credit of 4-6 semester/6-9 quarter hours.

Program Requirements

Study abroad students are required to enroll in the Intensive Pre-Term Portuguese as a Second Language course, two direct enrollment courses taught in English, and a semester Portuguese language course or additional direct enrollment course taught in English.

About The City

Rio de Janeiro ("January River") is the second largest city in Brazil and the third largest metropolitan area in South America. The city was the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries, including six years as the capital of Portugal (1815-1821). Rio is the most visited city in the southern hemisphere and is known for its natural setting, Carnival celebrations, samba, Bossa Nova, and its energetic population. Rio's iconic landmarks include the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain, Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches, Sugarloaf Mountain and the Maracanã soccer stadium.

Meet The Staff

Matt Ryan

Matt began his work with CIEE in 2003, working with incoming high school and university programs. In April of 2008 he joined the CIEE Brazil team in Salvador-Bahia where he has worked on everything from community service programs, cultural activities, local enrollment and advising for CIEE students. He has been instrumental in the conception and creation of the Rio study center and programs. Before joining CIEE in 2003, Matt lived in Rio de Janeiro teaching English both as a volunteer and for a local school. He is originally from Rochester, New York and graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a B.A. in Sociology.

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Landing by airplane, visitors to Rio de Janeiro are immediately captivated by the city’s stunning landscape. Few places in the world can offer the dramatic natural beauty of Rio de Janeiro: golden beaches, stunning granite mountains, and green tropical forest all set together within a modern metropolis of almost eight million people. Its natural beauty is what has always attracted so many people to Rio de Janeiro, but it is the people, their inexhaustible joie de vivre, and their rich cultural history that inevitably stays with those who have had the pleasure of knowing the city. Rio de Janeiro is in the midst of adding another exciting chapter to its rich 500 year history by making monumental strides in confronting the complex social issues that developed in the city during the 20th century. The city is being a looked to by much of the developing world as a model for social and economical development.

CIEE`s Language and Culture study abroad program offers students an opportunity not only to study in a spectacular cultural and historic environment but also to study and learn Portuguese at one of Brazil’s most prestigious private universities, PUC Rio.. With the 2014 World Cup Finals and the 2016 Olympics steadily approaching, the Cariocas (people from Rio de Janeiro) are anxiously awaiting and preparing to show the rest of the world why their city has long earned its nickname as the Cidade Maravilhosa.

— Matt Ryan, Administrative Director

“”

Where You'll Study

The Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) is a private, non-profit Catholic university created in 1941. It is one of the largest and most prestigious Brazilian universities, ranked by the Brazilian Ministry of Education as the best private university in the country in 2009. PUC-Rio has approximately 12,000 undergraduate students and 2,500 graduate students. The forested campus is centrally located in the south zone of the city in the Gavea neighborhood, and has a student community area with restaurants, coffee shops, library, free wireless, access to sports facilities, and a major public bus stop.

Housing & Meals

Students have the choice of two housing options, and breakfast is included with both.

• Family Homestays—CIEE works with homestay families in Rio. Homestay families live in a radius of three to four miles from campus which can be accessed using public transportation. Sharing in the life of a family through a homestay provides an excellent opportunity for interested students to deconstruct stereotypes and observe real life in action. It also creates opportunities for dialogue about issues raised in their courses and to practice their Portuguese language skills.
• Group Homestays—the group homestay option is best for students who prefer to live with another student or a small group of students in a secure and friendly environment. Participants share rooms in homes along with a Brazilian family or overseen by a local Brazilian resident assistant. Students enjoy independence and student camaraderie in a convenient urban location.

Although every attempt is made to grant each student’s preference, roommate and housing assignments are based upon availability and other factors. Therefore, housing preferences cannot be guaranteed.

Housing is not provided between semesters. Calendar- and academic-year students who remain in Brazil during this period are responsible for arranging and paying for their own housing and meals during this time—approximately one month for the calendar-year program (July) and two months for the academic-year program (December to February). In all housing, CIEE requires a Portuguese language commitment at all times to encourage the development of language skills and facilitate student integration into and knowledge of Rio de Janeiro and Brazilian culture.

Orientations

You'll begin your study abroad experience in Rio de Janeiro even before leaving home by participating in a CIEE online pre-departure orientation. Meeting with students online, the resident director shares information about the program and site, highlighting issues that alumni have said are important, and giving you time to ask questions. The online orientation allows you to connect with others in the group, reflect on what you want to get out of the program, and learn what others in the group would like to accomplish. CIEE’s aim for the pre-departure orientation is simple—to help you understand more about the program, and identify your objectives so that you arrive well-informed and return home having made significant progress towards your goals.

Upon arrival in Rio, you will partake in a two-day orientation session that will introduce you to Rio de Janeiro, PUC, Brazilian culture, and the academic program. The first day of orientation will include specially-designed sessions on health and safety, local living logistics, community engagement opportunities, as well as activities designed to get to know the city. The following day, you will reconvene at PUC for the university’s international student orientation. You will learn about available courses, add-drop periods, meet other Brazilian students, and have the second part of your placement evaluation, an oral exam. Rest assured that after the orientation process you will be ready to begin classes and live in Rio de Janeiro.

Internet

You are encouraged to bring a wireless-enabled laptop. Many host families have Internet access in their homes in some form but you need to be aware that this is not a guaranteed feature of homestays. You will have access to the Internet (wireless and broadband) in computer labs at PUC-Rio and at Internet cafés, often called LAN houses, throughout the city. Internet reliability and access is not always available at the same level as in the U.S.; however, Brazil enjoys an advanced telecommunications infrastructure and major cities typically provide for ubiquitous access.

Culture

Cultural Activities

The academic program is supplemented by field trips and excursions to various points of interest around Rio and Brazil and may include visits to sites of historic and cultural importance to Rio and its environs. These activities, which vary each semester to take advantage of seasonal and current attractions, may include a tour of the city of Rio, guided visits to the city’s numerous national museums, tours of historical neighborhoods, attending soccer matches, participating in Carnaval activities, and taking advantage of Rio’s rich and diverse arts culture.

In addition, there is one overnight field trip each semester—a cultural and educational trip to either Salvador da Bahia in Brazil’s Afro-Caribbean northeast region, or to Ouro Prieto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former mining town famed for its colonial architecture.

Cultural activities are chosen to provide you with a good overview of the geographic, cultural, and economic diversity in Rio de Janeiro and coastal Brazil, and to complement the academic themes of each program.

Immersion

Community Engagement Opportunities

Community engagement is an important cultural and educational component of this study abroad program, and Rio de Janeiro has a rich culture of volunteerism and community service. As part of the program, CIEE staff arranges group community engagement activities with various organizations and communities throughout the greater Rio de Janeiro area. The projects are designed to give you a firsthand look at the challenges facing Rio de Janeiro and its surrounding areas. Through local contacts and its partnership with PUC-Rio, CIEE establishes a dynamic network of community partnerships with loca NGOs, schools and other organizations.

Academics

Established in 2012, the Language and Culture program at the CIEE Study Center in Rio de Janeiro is based at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Rio de Janeiro where CIEE study abroad students enroll in one 18-week academic term. Each semester begins with a Pre-Term Intensive Language and Culture Program (ILCP) lasting approximately one month. Instruction for all non-language classes is in English, with the exception of regular University courses that are only accessible for program participants with sufficient Portuguese language skills as determined by PUC-Rio and the CIEE Study Center staff. Some courses offered may have a limited number of local PUC students enrolled in order to build opportunities for cross-cultural and academic exchange between CIEE and host university students. It is anticipated that most students who successfully complete the ILCP program and a semester in the Language and Culture program will be able to continue on for a second semester of direct enrollment classes taught in Portuguese.

Academic Culture

Brazilian universities tend to convey knowledge through different strategies and methods; innovation, design, participation, memorization, and expositive lectures are all part of the in-class academic culture. In most classes, a great deal of emphasis is placed on note taking. It can take a while to learn how to study effectively in the Brazilian system, especially in terms of acquiring reading material and understanding professors’ expectations. While U.S. students are accustomed to a very structured system, professors in Brazil generally leave students on their own to determine the intensity of their work—an approach which is geared towards the student who is motivated, self-sufficient, and deeply interested in the subject matter of the course. It is a more autonomous academic system. In some courses, the entire grade is based on a term paper or critical analysis of a particular article, with the expectation that the paper be based upon a fairly extensive reading from the bibliography. This relative freedom places a great deal of responsibility on the student.

Nature of Classes

Courses are taught by local PUC faculty with postgraduate degrees (M.Sc., M.A., and Ph.D.). Language classes are instructed entirely in Portuguese, while content courses are instructed in English. Classes are attended mainly by CIEE and other international students, but courses may include some Brazilian students.

CIEE Community Language Commitment

Study abroad students take part in the CIEE community Language Commitment by speaking Portuguese at all times (except in emergencies). This fosters a learning community that contributes to both Portuguese language proficiency and understanding of Brazilian society.

Grading System

Assessment for courses is typically based on a combination of written and oral assignments and a final paper or examination. The Brazilian grading scale goes from one to 10, with five being a passing grade and seven considered satisfactory in general. The CIEE Study Center in Brazil converts grades and credits to the U.S. system according to a predetermined scale.

Language of Instruction

English
Portuguese

Faculty

All courses are taught by faculty from PUC-Rio and/or CIEE resident staff.

Course Description

Program Blog

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