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Quick Info

By Term

• Fall 2013
• Spring 2013
• Spring 2014
• Academic year 2013-2014
• Calendar year 2013

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Program Overview

Come learn or improve your Portuguese while immersing yourself in Brazilian history and culture in the booming and ethnically diverse city of Salvador da Bahia.

Through intensive language training, homestays, a variety of cultural excursions, and direct enrolment at two of the most prestigious universities in the country, study abroad in Salvador offers you unique insight into contemporary Brazil, and a truly immersive international experience.

Study abroad in Brazil and you will:

• Learn Portuguese through a four-week intensive language and culture program prior to the semester, followed by semester-long language courses at various levels
• Enroll in CIEE, and Universidade Católica do Salvador (UCSal) courses
• Explore your new home through cultural and educational activities. You'll visit the museum of Afro-Brazilian history and a Candomblé house, attend theater, music, and dance performances and a soccer game, participate in a percussion class, and more.
• Enjoy an overnight trip to the gorgeous beach towns and colonial settlements of Ilheus and Itacare, in Bahia’s cocoa region; and excursions to explore other parts of Brazil’s distinct Northeast; plus many more cultural, academic, and recreational explorations.

The CIEE Difference

Coursework

After a pre-semester Portuguese language and culture course that prepares you linguistically and culturally for direct enrollment, you will choose from a variety of coursework – ranging from anthropology and education, to the performing arts, literature, and communications – at two local universities. You’ll also continue your language training in a Portuguese language course and have access to number of specialized CIEE electives examining race and social inequality in Bahia and Brazil.

Excursions

Enjoy a number of excursions and activities. Students will visit museums and a Candomble house, participate in dance, percussion, and cooking classes, attend concerts, see Brazilian films, and more. The study abroad program also includes a trip to Rio de Janeiro known as the “cidade maravilhosa,” or “wonderful city,” for its natural beauty and its strong cultural identity.

Volunteering

Community engagement is an important cultural and educational component of this program, and Salvador has a rich culture of volunteerism and community service. CIEE staff arranges engagement opportunities with a wide range of organizations and communities throughout Salvador.

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.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs

Fall 2013 (24 wks)

04/01/2013

06/26/2013

12/14/2013

$16,850

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 **

$12,698

Housing ***

$3,750

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 all meals

Estimated Additional Costs

International Airfare *

$1,450

Local Transportation

$420

Books & Supplies

$200

Visa Fees **

$270

Potential travel to consulate for visa

$500

Personal expenses

$1,500

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 2013 (24 wks)

10/15/2012

01/04/2013

06/22/2013

$16,850

Program Date Notes

These program dates are tentative. Please contact your CIEE Study Abroad Advisor prior to purchasing an airline ticket.

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 **

$12,698

Housing ***

$3,750

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 all meals

Estimated Additional Costs

International Airfare *

$1,450

Local Transportation

$420

Books & Supplies

$200

Visa Fees **

$270

Potential travel to consulate for visa

$500

Personal expenses

$1,500

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

10/15/2013

to be announced

to be announced

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 2013-2014

04/01/2013

06/26/2013

to be announced

$32,100

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 **

$24,198

Housing ***

$7,500

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 all meals

Estimated Additional Costs

International Airfare *

$1,450

Local Transportation

$840

Books & Supplies

$400

Visa Fees **

$270

Potential travel to consulate for visa

$500

Personal expenses

$3,000

Other ***

$200

Expenses during break ****

$700

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

**** Students are responsible for housing and meals during the semester break.

Calendar year 2013 (49 wks)

10/15/2012

01/04/2013

12/14/2013

$32,100

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 **

$24,198

Housing ***

$7,500

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 all meals

Estimated Additional Costs

International Airfare *

$1,450

Local Transportation

$840

Books & Supplies

$400

Visa Fees **

$270

Potential travel to consulate for visa

$500

Personal expenses

$3,000

Other ***

$200

Expenses during break ****

$700

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

**** Students are responsible for housing and meals during the semester break.

Eligibility

• Overall GPA 2.75
• 4 semesters of college-level Spanish and/or 2 semesters of college-level Portuguese or equivalent

Recommended Credit

Total recommended credit for the fall semester is 18–21 semester/27–31.5 quarter hours and for the spring, 16–19 semester/24–28.5 quarter hours. Total recommended credit for the academic and calendar year is 34–40 semester/51–60 quarter hours.

Course contact hours are 45 hours and recommended credit is 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours per course, unless otherwise indicated.

Program Requirements

All students attend the required 4-week, 6-credit ILCP Intensive Language and Culture Program, which prepares students linguistically and culturally prior to the start of the regular semester. For the remainder of the semester, students enroll in a Portuguese language course, one or two CIEE courses, and two or three elective courses at UCSal. Students must enroll in Portuguese language study throughout their study abroad experience, including academic year and calendar year students in their second semester. Academic and calendar year students are exempt from CIEE elective courses during their second semester. However, students continuing from another CIEE program in Brazil (São Paulo or Rio) must enroll in one of the CIEE elective courses offered.

About The City

Salvador da Bahia, located on the Atlantic coast in northeastern Brazil, has three million inhabitants. Due to the strong slave presence during the Colonial period, Salvador has a strong African influence, including religious and spiritual practices, cuisine, and ethnic dynamics. Today, Salvador is a booming city, and its historic and ethnic diversity can be noted in the city’s architecture and layout—old parts of the city are located next to modern complexes. The CIEE Study Center is located near the Castro ALves Theater and main plaza of the center of the city, Campo Grande.

Meet The Staff

Jacob Dyer-Spiegel

Dr. Jacob Dyer-Spiegel completed his doctorate at UMass-Amherst in English with a concentration in Caribbean Literature and Translation Studies. He holds an M.A. in Caribbean Cultural Studies from the Universidad de la Habana in Cuba and SUNY Buffalo, and bachelor’s degrees from UMass-Amherst in Comparative Literature and in Spanish and Portuguese. Jacob was both a Fulbright and Gilman scholar in Salvador, Brazil. His research interests span African-Atlantic culture, Spanish and Portuguese language, the Romani Diaspora, visual arts and religion. Jacob is a triple-alumnus of CIEE’s programs in Seville, Salvador & Sao Paulo.

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Flavia Santana

Flavia Santana, Resident Coordinator, helps with student housing, administrative matters, visa registration, cultural activities, and student issues. Luize da Silva and Lara Schmertmann, Program Coordinators, focus on volunteer and community service, financial administration, cultural activities, and student issues.

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Luize Silva

Program Coordinator

Luize was born in a small town in Bahia called Cruz das Almas but moved to Salvador with her family at age 11. She earned her BA in Business Administration. After school she went to the USA on an au pair exchange program and lived in Virginia and California for 2 years. She loves Bahia and she loves to travel. She also works wonders assisting CIEE students get to know the area and helping them with cultural adaptation. She´s getting her MBA in Human Resource Management / Personnel Management.

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Where You'll Study

Established in 1961, Universidade Católica do Salvador (UCSal) is the highest ranking private university in northeast Brazil. The University offers courses in many departments including communications, education, fine arts, social services, and music. The UCSal campus is housed in renovated monasteries and modern buildings with several campuses around the city.

Housing & Meals

Housing and three meals a day are included in the study abroad program fee. During orientation, students are housed together in a hotel. For the remainder of the program, students are placed in Bahian homestays.

The homestay is essential to the students’ learning process and integration into life in Salvador. The opportunity to live with a Brazilian family not only allows students to deconstruct stereotypes and observe real life in action, but it also creates opportunities for dialogue about issues discussed in class, and for practicing their Portuguese language skills. Students can expect a more traditional environment that may call for some adjustments on their part. The opportunity to live with a family offers students a unique source of cultural learning and personal growth.

Orientations

You'll begin your study abroad experience in Salvador da Bahia even before leaving home by participating in a CIEE online pre-departure orientation. Meeting with students online, CIEE staff shares information about the program and site, highlighting issues that alumni have said are important, and giving you time to ask any questions before leaving home. 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. The CIEE goal for the pre-departure orientation is simple—to help you understand more about the program and site, as well as your goals for the program, so that you arrive to the program well-informed and return home having made significant progress towards your goals.

A two-day mandatory orientation session is conducted at the beginning of the program and will introduce you to the country, culture, and academic program, and also provide practical information about living in Brazil. Ongoing support is provided on an individual and group basis throughout the program.

Internet

You are encouraged to bring a wireless-enabled laptop. Most homestays have an Internet connection and there are numerous Internet cafés in Bahia. You can also access the Internet on computers at the CIEE office and on the UCSal campus, free of charge. Past students found it helpful to open an Internet-based email account, since university accounts do not exist.

Culture

Cultural Activities and Field Trips

Study abroad program activities include visits to the museum of Afro-Brazilian history and a Candomble house, participation in dance, percussion, and cooking classes, attendance at concerts, and more. The study abroad program also includes a trip to Rio de Janeiro known as the “cidade maravilhosa,” or “wonderful city,” for its natural beauty and its strong cultural identity. Spring semester students may also participate in local Carnaval festivities.

Immersion

Community Engagement Opportunities

Community engagement is an important cultural and educational component of this study abroad program, and Salvador has a rich culture of volunteerism and community service. As part of the program, CIEE staff arrange community engagement opportunities with a wide range of organizations and communities throughout Salvador. The projects are designed to give you a firsthand look at the challenges facing Salvador and Bahia today. CIEE has a dynamic network of community partnerships with local NGOs, schools, and other organizations in which you can volunteer and engage with the people of Bahia, and the issues.

Academics

The CIEE Study Center in Salvador da Bahia was established in 2000. Students begin the program by participating in an Intensive Language and Culture Program (ILCP). The ILCP prepares study abroad students for the regular semester by providing them the opportunity to focus intensively on Portuguese language acquisition. The ILCP course is 90 hours of intensive language instruction for six credits. The semester program offers a combination of direct enrollment classes at the Brazilian university, UCSAL and specially designed CIEE courses about race and social inequalities in Bahia and in Brazil, and additional Portuguese instruction.

Academic Culture

Some U.S. students could misperceive that the workload is light and that there are very few assignments. However, students are given bibliographies for courses with the expectation that they read as many of the listings as possible and select those titles that best meet their needs and interests. 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.

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 rigorous and autonomous academic system.

The CIEE academic year program takes place from late June to mid-June of the following year, and the CIEE calendar year program coincides with the Brazilian academic year, taking place from February to mid/late-December. Academic year students have an eight-week break between the fall and spring semesters and are encouraged to travel independently throughout other parts of Brazil and Latin America during that time. Calendar year students have a break of six weeks between the Brazilian first and second semesters (the North American spring and fall semesters). Students are responsible for their housing and meals during these breaks.

Nature of Classes

CIEE Portuguese language and content courses are with CIEE students as well as other international students. Participants will also enroll directly in host university courses at UCSal alongside Brazilian students.

CIEE Community Language Commitment

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

Students are evaluated the same as their Brazilian university peers on any combination of the following: quizzes, class participation, mid-term and final exams, or final papers, much as in the U.S. Students must take exams at the regular exam time and turn in all work on time. Letter grades of A through F are given with pluses or minuses.

Grades for the first semester are normally received by early September and, March for the second semester.

Language of Instruction

Portuguese

Faculty

The Portuguese language courses are taught by language professors from the Department of Languages at the Universidade Federal da Bahia; UCSal courses are taught by UCSal professors. CIEE electives are taught by professors from the Centro de Estudos Afro-Orientais (CEAO), and the CIEE resident academic director.

Course Description

Program Blog

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