UF in Rio de Janeiro
Application Deadline
April 1, 2013
International Center
For further information
To contact the Study Abroad Office advisor to the Rio program, please write to Josh Perry, jperry@ufic.ufl.edu
For academic information about this program, please contact Professor Charles A. Perrone at perrone@ufl.edu
Study Abroad
Summer B Session
June 30 – August 10, 2013
The following is information about the University of Florida/Georgetown University summer study-abroad program in Rio de Janeiro. Summer 2013 will be the 32nd year of the program between UF and the Instituto Brasil-Estados Unidos (IBEU).
Why Study in Rio De Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro is a busy, sophisticated, cosmopolitan city of over six million people. Greater Rio exceeds ten million. With its world famous beaches -- Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon-- and mountain peaks --Sugar Loaf and Corcovado-- this fascinating city is considered by many to be the most beautiful in the world. Rio is known for its vibrant arts scene and cultural institutions.
Who is Eligible?
Both UF and non-UF students are eligible to apply. Applicants should be in good academic standing, have completed the first semester of the freshman year, be at least 18 years of age, and have completed two (2) semesters of Portuguese or one semester of intensive introductory Portuguese with a grade of B or better.
Many FLAS fellowship recipients have studied on this program, which is specifically designed to meet FLAS standards.
Admission to the program is competitive and enrollment is limited to 36 students. UF and Georgetown students have priority for admission, as do FLAS fellowship recipients (both undergraduate and graduate students). Early application strongly encouraged.
FLAS Proficiency Testing Policy
Students with FLAS fellowships from other institutions will need to make arrangements for pre- and post-program testing through their home institution or the institution awarding their FLAS fellowship. Students and local FLAS officers are responsible for contacting an instructor to administer the language test before and after the program. NB: Program instructors will administer the required FLAS pre- and post-program proficiency testing only for FLAS Fellows funded by UF and Georgetown.
Program Description
This is an intensive language-study program involving approximately 24 hours of class time per week. Students spend three and a half hours per day, five days per week in one of four levels of Portuguese class (8:30 am to 12:00 pm). In addition, they spend from 1:30-4:00 three days per week in the culture class or workshops. All live instruction is in Portuguese, as are the vast majority of readings. FLAS recipients have an additional weekly meeting (also 1:30-4:00) for seminar discussions and presentations.
In State of Florida numbering, language offerings and equivalencies are normally POR 2201, Intermediate 1; POR 3242, Intermediate 2; POR 3243, Upper Intermediate; and POR 4956, Advanced. This component earns three transfer credits. Students will be graded on two oral tests 40%; a final exam 30%; participation and attendance 20%; homework 10%. Penalties for absences .10 per absence. Instructors: IBEU staff.
The culture component is under the rubric POR 3502 Brazilian Culture. For Summer B 2013 the overall theme is "Falares e Cantares Brasileiros." Co-instructors: Prof. Charles A. Perrone, UF, and Prof. Michael J. Ferreira, Georgetown. Visit their websites to become familiar with their professional profiles. Weekly guest lecturers from local institutions speak on their specialties.
This year the course approaches the broad topic of culture-civilization through various manifestations, with an emphasis on expressive culture. The component includes humanities in the visual arts, music, film, religion, history, and literature. The social-science perspectives range from linguistics, anthropology and sociology to economics, political science, and urban studies. Undergraduates will do readings and do two afternoon activities per week to fulfill their attendance and writing requirements. Graduate students with FLAS scholarships will participate in an additional class session in which they will do presentations on the topic the city (broadly conceived) from the point of view of their own disciplines.
Readings will be made available electronically before the beginning of this summer B course should one prefer to print documents to take. Students are responsible for reading texts in hard copy or online (reliable Wifi is available on the second floor of IBEU). FLAS students should contact Prof. Perrone to discuss their situations.
Objectives
- Gain a general overview of expressive culture in contemporary Brazil in the arts and social configurations.
- Understand the origins, history, cultural and economic contributions of some major urban sites.
- Improve spoken and written Portuguese via class activities and assignments.
Grades are based on students' completion of assigned activities to the best of their abilities (i.e. relative to their assessed level). Three hours of UF credit.
Readings will be made available for all students during summer A (June 2013). During summer B students will participate in classes, see films and participate in workshops and field trips.
IBEU
Student placement for language instruction is determined by a test given on the first day of classes. Classes are held at the IBEU (Instituto Brasil-Estados Unidos); located in the heart of the Copacabana section of Rio de Janeiro. IBEU is a well-known and highly regarded center for language instruction with pleasant classrooms, language laboratory, and WiFi on the second floor of the building. The program includes excursions, including tours of a colonial ranch, Rio's historic center and Corcovado (sites may vary year to year).
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. We recommend The Throes of Democracy: Brazil Since 1989 by Georgetown professor Bryan McCann. Of course there are several excellent websites about Brazil as a travel destination and/or subject of study, see especially www.BrazilMax.com
Housing & Meals
Students normally live in local households. Hosts vary in nature, from individuals to young families with children; some may be headed by single women or senior citizens. 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. IBEU supplies a mid-morning snack. Most students get their mid-day meals on their own. 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. Students may request to change these arrangements in advance and receive a refund of charge for housing, provided they have housing close to IBEU.
Transportation In Brazil
There are a wide variety of ways to get around Rio. Several forms of public transportation are readily available at modest cost. Bus travel between cities is also very comfortable and reasonably priced. Students often take the overnight bus to São Paulo. Air Travel is also available to reach more distant cities such as Porto Alegre and Recife. Students wishing to visit other areas of Brazil are encouraged to purchase an airpass through a Brazilian airline 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 & Summer Requirements
The course is designed to fulfill six (6) hours of academic requirements. With prior approval Florida 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 for UF credit for the culture program.
For FLAS recipients, the program includes 105 hours of language instruction plus 35 hours of instruction in the culture class, totaling the 140 hours required for FLAS.
Costs
Final budgets for 2013 will be available as soon as possible. The 2012 program fee was a little more than $5000 for tuition/fees and related program expenses, such as on-site orientation, airport pick-up, housing, some meals (breakfast and dinner), local excursions, and health insurance.
Round-trip airfare is NOT included in the program fee and can cost about $1000-1800. It is recommended that students bring between $800 and $1200 for spending money during the program for meals, bus fare, travel, and entertainment. Please note that the airport pickup scheduled for early to mid-morning on the SUNDAY morning prior to the start of class is a one-time service and non-refundable.
(FLAS Fellowships for the 2011 Rio Language and Culture program were allocated as follows: $925 for the subsistence allowance and $4628.66 for the institutional payment/program fee. The program fee of $4628.66 included $1575 for room and board, $54 for health insurance, and $2999.66 for tuition/fees. (The $1575 for room and board is to be subtracted from the maximum FLAS subsistence allowance of $2500, providing an allowance of $925.) Each FLAS-granting institution has its own regulations on whether fellowships are disbursed to the student or paid to the institution sponsoring the program, so please contact the FLAS coordinator at your granting institution for information on disbursement. Information about 2012 allocations can be obtained from the financial assistant at UFIC.
For information on billing, contact June Bristol (jbristol@ufic.ufl.edu) at the UF International Center.
Financial Aid
Students should check with their Financial Aid office to determine whether they are eligible for financial assistance. UF students who normally receive financial aid (including scholarships) may continue to receive it while studying overseas. Arrangements must be made with the Study Abroad Services and Financial Aid offices. Students not attending UF should apply to their home university for financial assistance.
UF undergraduates may be eligible to apply for scholarships through Study Abroad Services. The deadline in 2012 was early February, similar dates can be expected for 2013. Limited scholarships for UF Portuguese majors are also available through the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies Study Abroad Scholarship and the Center for Latin American Studies (Alfred E. Hower Scholarship).
UF undergraduate students and graduate students from any institution, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, may be eligible to apply for FLAS Summer Fellowships from the UF Center for Latin American Studies.
Health Insurance
All students who participate in a UF sponsored program will be enrolled in a health insurance plan from Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) for the dates of their program. The insurance premium is included in the UF program fee.
How & When Can I Apply?
The application deadline is April 1, 2013. Applications will be accepted after this deadline on a space available basis only in order of submission. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications must be submitted online at: www.abroad.ufic.ufl.edu.
Once accepted into the program, students will receive a Pre-departure Notes that must be read and acknowledged in lieu of a UF campus pre-departure session.
Passport & Visa
Brazil requires a visa for all visitors from the U.S. Once accepted, please consult the program advisor by telephone or e-mail for complete information regarding options. Applications for tourist visas and student visas can be downloaded from the Brazilian Consulates' web sites. The Miami Consulate Webpage has visa application forms: www.brazilmiami.org. We recommend that participants start early on the visa process, as in the past a police record check had to be included before a student visa could be issued. The Brazilian Embassy also has a web site: www.brasilemb.org. Those with foreign passports or dual citizenship should check with the Brazilian consulate for their areas.
All participants must have a valid passport that remains valid for the duration of travel in Brazil. When necessary, UF Study Abroad will provide necessary documentation of participation in the program for student visa purposes (a letter signed by the program coordinator). The address of IBEU is Ave. Nossa Senhora de Copacabana 690, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 22050-010. Tel. (021) 548-8332; Fax (021) 236-5509. Some consulates require in-person applications, therefore plan ahead, or send your passport and application to the Brazilian consulate in your region of the U.S. For Florida residents, you may send your visa information via express mail to the Miami Consulate: 2601 S. Bayshore Dr. Suite 800, Miami FL, 33133. (305) 285-6200. Students encountering difficulties should contact UFIC study abroad advisor.
Program /Academic Coordinator
Charles A. Perrone
Professor of Portuguese and Luso-Brazilian Literature and Culture
Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies
University of Florida
P.O. Box 117405
Gainesville, FL 32611-7405
email: perrone@ufl.edu
Coordinator, Brazilian Studies
Center for Latin American Studies
University of Florida
P.O. Box 115530
Gainesville, FL 32611-5530
Images: T Chu, Flickr
