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Pedestrians walking past a row of palm trees on Ipanema Beach at sunset in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Program at a Glance

Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

Country or area Brazil
City Rio de Janeiro
Class Level So, Jr, Sr
Experience Type International
Minimum GPA 2.85
Term Summer
Taught In English
Language Prereq no
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About The Program

This Brazilian seminar is an interdisciplinary program offering a broad perspective on Brazilian issues from media and democracy to the Brazilian oil industry to race relations and Brazilian culture. The seminar is taught in English, accompanied by Portuguese language instruction.

Where you'll study

The Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, referred to as PUC-Rio, is a private, non-profit university. It is known for intimate class sizes, close interaction with professors and strong course offerings in the sciences. With its focus on scientific research, PUC-Rio has four academic centers with studies in social sciences, physical sciences, technological studies, health sciences, and the arts. The international office is right on campus, a convenient distance from classrooms, labs, cafeterias, libraries, the gym, and study areas. Enjoy the winding, tree-lined paths surrounded by lush vegetation on this walkable campus. You can expect to see wildlife from the adjacent tropical forest. An efficient bus service takes you from campus to various spots in the city. The campus is in Gávea, a popular residential neighborhood. The white sand and blue waves of Leblon beach are a short distance away.




Study abroad was a transformative experience for me because it broadened my perspective of the world. I wanted to learn conversational Portuguese and found a passion for learning a new language. I returned and immediately signed up for Portuguese because there is life beyond the classroom and the US. Study abroad helped me see a future where borders or languages do not limit me.


Victor Martinez UC Berkeley Global Studies Brazil