Intensive Portuguese Language and Culture
June 9 – July 21, 2024
Application Deadline: Friday, March 1, 2024
This 6-week summer program, sponsored by the Stone Center for Latin American Studies at Tulane and the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx studies at Vanderbilt, caters to graduate and undergraduate students who wish to achieve a high level of Portuguese fluency through immersion in Brazilian language and culture. With language classes at the intermediate and advanced levels, it allows students to study with experienced faculty while living with local families or college students in the São Paulo neighborhood of Perdizes. Each participant enrolls in two Tulane credit-bearing courses organized by our partner institution CET. In their Portuguese language course, students polish their reading, writing, and conversation skills by engaging with Brazilian art, film, and literature. Meanwhile, they delve into the current cultural, social, and political landscape of São Paulo in “Contemporary Social Issues in Brazil,” a course co-taught in Portuguese by Tulane and CET professors. Outside of the classroom, participants can explore São Paulo and its surroundings through organized excursions to museums, landmarks, and historic sites, and set off on personal adventures with friends and roommates. Summer in Brazil provides the perfect opportunity to uncover the riches of one of the country’s most overlooked treasures.
With a population of more than 20 million people, São Paulo is the largest metropolitan area in the Southern Hemisphere and the most important industrial center in Latin America. Its booming economy has given rise to a dynamic, multicultural population with immigrants from all over the world. These inhabitants have created a vibrant, eclectic social and cultural scene on streets and neighborhoods buzzing with trendy restaurants, bars, and clubs. For more than a century, São Paulo has also been a leading city for the fine arts and boasts globally renowned centers like the São Paulo Art Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Municipal Theatre. The town also has much to offer sports fans: it is home to four major soccer teams alone. Add to this the special events like the Parada do Orgulha Gay, the largest gay pride parade in the world, and there is always something exciting to do or see. Even better, the city’s temperate climate makes it easy to enjoy all it has to offer.
PORT 2050: Intermediate Immersive Portuguese (4 credits)
PORT 3050: Advance Immersive Portuguese (3 credits)
PORT 6130: Contemporary Social Issues in Brazil (3 credits)—see details below
Summer in Brazil offers two housing options: a family homestay or an apartment shared with Brazilian university students. Students will be able to indicate their preferences during the registration process, though assignments will ultimately depend on enrollment and availability. Both options enable students to live in Perdizes within easy walking distance of the CET center, where all classes are held. Homestays provide breakfast daily. Students living in apartments will receive a stipend to purchase breakfast ingredients at the local market.
Summer in Brazil offers a mix of mandatory and optional excursions to help students explore the city and its surroundings. Students will go on one overnight excursion to Paratay, a colonial city in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Shorter trips will take students to learn from important historical and cultural sites around São Paulo. In the past, destinations have included the Museu Afro-Brazil, Museu de Arte São Paulo, Memorial da Resistencia, Avenida Paulista, and the Soccer Museum. In addition, students will have the opportunity to explore together through optional organized activities such as a trip to the theatre, a hike up the Pedra Grande Trail, or a night of Karaoke.
Total cost: $7,750
Tuition: $5,000
Housing and Logistics Fee: $2,750
If in-person, Tuition and fees include 6-7 Tulane credits, international medical insurance, shared housing in apartments or homestays, one meal/day (breakfast), transportation from the São Paulo airport upon arrival, all costs associated with group activities and excursions. Tuition and fees do NOT include airfare to/from Brazil, passport/visa expenses, transportation to airport for departure, lunches and dinners, vaccinations, laundry, and other incidentals.
Summer in Brazil has been designed to meet all requirements of the federal FLAS grant, which may cover much of the cost. Non-Tulane students are encouraged to speak with the FLAS coordinator at their home institution. Tulane students should contact the Stone Center staff about potential funding opportunities.
Students will receive admission decisions within 3-4 weeks of the application deadline. Once admitted, they will be asked to pay a program deposit of $300 to secure their spot (this deposit will be waived for FLAS applicants who contact sclassum@tulane.edu). From there, all registration will be processed by Stone Center staff. Students will initially be enrolled in one 3-credit Latin American Studies placeholder course, used for billing purposes only. After completing the language placement exam, they will be enrolled in their respective culture and language courses.
Tuition and fees will be charged to student accounts in the late spring. Students are responsible for making sure that the bill is paid in full according to the policies outlined on the Accounts Receivable website. Students can access their accounts through the Gibson Portal: http://gibson.tulane.edu.
If a student cancels their reservation in the program less than 60 days prior to the Program start date, Tulane will charge a cancellation fee according to the following Cancellation Fee Schedule.
The Stone Center is committed to making all its programs accessible to all students. Persons requiring special facilities or accommodations should notify Stone Center staff as soon as possible. All effort will be made to accommodate their needs, but students should be aware that reasonable accommodation may be required.
CET will enroll Summer in Brazil students in a comprehensive study abroad medical insurance policy provided through GeoBlue. This insurance is included in the cost of the program. Tulane provides students with travel emergency assistance through Crisis24. Information about this program is available through the Tulane Global website.
Both Tulane and non-Tulane students at the graduate and undergraduate levels are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 2.5 and the equivalent of two semesters of Portuguese-language classes (PORT 2030 for Tulane students). They may be interviewed to determine their language proficiency during the application process. Applicants must have a passport valid for at least six months following the program end date.
General Student Information
Current Official Transcript
Personal Statement (approx. 250-350 words; Portuguese encouraged)
One faculty recommendation (preferably from a Portuguese instructor)
Proof of Valid Passport
Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination
General Releases and Waivers
If you have questions or would like more information, visit the Summer in Brazil webpage or contact the Stone Center:
Phone: (504) 862 - 8629
Email: sclassum@tulane.edu
100 Jones Hall, Tulane Uptown Campus