Amazon to Atlantic: Development and Change in Brazil
Location: Vila Velha, Brazil
Dates: February 6 – May 7, 2010
Faculty Leader: Dr. Daniel Weiss
Academic Credits: 9 Political Science, 6 Portuguese
Service Opportunities: Work with children, a local community development and microfinance organization, or a public health initiative.
Housing: Comfortable homestays with Vila Velha families
Travel Highlights: Program includes a visit to Amizade’s original community partner site in Santarem, Brazil, an Amazon boat trip, a biologist-guided Amazon hike, and travel to the Patanal (the world’s largest wetland).
Overview
Spend a semester living with a family in Vila Velha; study Portuguese and the Brazilian development experience; serve 12+ hours per week with a local nonprofit organization; and explore the country and culture through field trips and community events.
Academic Courses
Brazil semester students enroll in five courses worth three credits each, to earn a total of fifteen credits during the term. Six credits are dedicated to Portuguese language courses. Students are accommodated at all levels of language learning, from introductory to advanced. The remaining three courses are International Development, Global Service-Learning, and Professional Field Placement (political science credits). Together, these courses provide theoretical and applied insights in respect to the development efforts of governmental, private sector, and nongovernmental organizations. The Global Service-Learning course focuses on the relationship between individual ethics, local social service efforts, and international dilemmas. The Political Science courses are taught in English by local and expatriate instructors.
Integrated Community Service
You will have a number of service options and opportunities in human needs and community development. Amizade has identified opportunities to work and serve with organizations that promote public health among indigent populations, provide shelter and education for abandoned children, and support community development through a variety of initiatives, including microfinance. You will be placed with the organization of your choice taking into account your experience and the needs of the organizations.
Location
Amizade was founded in Brazil fifteen years ago and recently established a second Brazilian community partner site at Vila Velha. Vila Velha is an Atlantic Coastal city adjacent to Vitória, the capital of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Vitória is a large modern city with a regional population of approximately 1,200,000. In Vila Velha and Vitória, students become quickly familiar with the regional public transit system and are rapidly able to access and benefit from all this beautiful coastal region has to offer. Inequality is still especially stark in Brazil, however, as is quickly clear from placements with the community organizations where students serve.
As a Brazil semester student, you will have opportunities to experience both the urban and rural, Atlantic and Amazonian regions. You’ll improve your Portuguese, and you’ll learn about development and nongovernment organizations from a Professor with definitive academic and applied experience initiating community improvement efforts. You’ll take part in the vibrant and exciting Brazilian environment. And you’ll have home stay accommodations with local families to allow for deeper language learning and understanding about local life and culture.
Program Fee: $12,050*
Apply Now to Ensure Your Spot (pdf)
Program Tuition Includes:
Course delivery and instruction accredited through West Virginia University
Arranged home stay with a local family and housing during field trips
Two meals per day with home stay families
3 meals per day during field trips
Multiple field trips during semester and scheduled educational, cultural and service activities
Comprehensive Travel Insurance
Additional Program Related Expenses:
Airfare to Santarem, Brazil and from Vitória, Brazil and other travel related expenses
Applicable passport or visa fees
Course textbooks, course packet and materials
Supplemental meals
Personal spending money
*West Virginia University students automatically receive a $1,270 scholarship toward the Brazil Semester Program. West Virginia Promise Scholarship funding may be applied toward program costs and Eberly College Students are eligible for Enrichment Grants.
