Faculty-led, world-focused

Penn State faculty-led programs offer students the guidance of trusted faculty, with the freedom to explore the world. Our faculty will create the ideal itinerary for you.

The goal of this program is to foster a cross-cultural appreciation and understanding of the development and diversity of Brazilian society, with a special emphasis on its culture, its history, and its African roots. In addition, the students will have the opportunity to study the most important issues related to Brazil's economy in the context of the Americas, and, if desired, the opportunity to learn or develop their language skills in Portuguese while immersed in Brazilian society.

Salvador, founded in 1549, served as the first capital of colonial Brazil and remained as such until 1763. In Salvador there was the birth of a powerful ethnic and cultural bond intertwining peoples and traditions from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas that would later form the identity of modern Brazilian society. The state of Bahia and the city of Salvador undoubtedly capture today the magical soul of Brazil through their cultural and religious manifestations. From the spiritual Candomblé rituals to the rhythmical Capoeira dances and the carnival "Axé" music, bahianos daily express a profound connection with their roots, history, and traditions.

The heart of Salvador, the Pelourinho, is a safe urban area where visitors find many cultural centers, colonial churches, museums, cultural activities, artisan ateliers, shops, and restaurants. The students will participate in many cultural and business activities directly related to class content and attend lectures by Brazilian experts and scholars. In addition, the students will travel to the cities of Cachoeira and Praia do Forte.