Faculty-led, world-focused

INFORMATION NIGHT:
Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 5:00 p.m.
234 Burrowes Building
Join faculty and other students to learn more about studying in Brazil.

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 cross-cultural understanding and appreciation of the development and diversity of Brazilian society, with a special emphasis on its culture, history, and African roots.

The students have the opportunity to study the most important issues related to Brazil's economy in the context of the Americas, and to discover the potential and challenges of one of the world's leading BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) economies with large foreign investments.

The participants can also learn to speak Portuguese, or enhance their skills in the language — ranked sixth in the world according to the number of native speakers — that is spoken in four continents.

The program offers a full first-hand experience that fosters participants' understanding of Brazilian daily life, social norms, and cultural traditions. The students participate in several cultural, business, social, ecological, and sporting activities directly related to the program's objectives, and attend lectures and presentations by accomplished Brazilian scholars and local industry experts.

The students spend their first week in the paradisiacal Praia do Forte, a popular beach vacation destination in Brazil and an ideal place to acclimate and to learn about colonial culture and history, the Atlantic Rainforest ecosystem, tourism development, and local business initiatives.

In Salvador the students live with carefully selected Brazilian families in several areas close to FSBA University, located in the Ondina neighborhood, where classes are held.

The students can participate in optional trips to Rio de Janeiro, the Amazon Region (Manaus), and Cachoeira and Itaparica Island (Bahia). These are all highly recommended excursions to help students immerse in Brazilian culture and sample the many flavors of a country that offers diverse and vibrant new experiences.

Participants can also take part in service learning, research projects, and field experiences activities during or after the program.

Salvador and the State of Bahia

Today, Salvador is a vibrant city that is a thriving cultural, business, and tourist destination with a population of almost 3 million people. The city and the state of Bahia are blessed with tropical beaches lined with palm trees and beautiful sunny, warm weather year-round.

Located in the heart of Salvador, Pelourinho is a colonial area where visitors will find cultural centers, churches, museums, cultural activities, artisan studios, nongovernmental organizations, shops, and restaurants.

Salvador, founded in 1549, served as the first capital of colonial Brazil until 1763. In Salvador the birth of a powerful ethnic and cultural bond occurred, intertwining the people and traditions from South America, Europe, and Africa that would later form the identity of modern Brazilian society.

The state of Bahia undoubtedly captures the magical soul of Brazil through its cultural, social, and religious life. From the spiritual Candomblé rituals, to the rhythmical Capoeira dances and the carnival Axé music, baianos express a profound connection with their roots, history, and traditions.

Courses Offered

All students must take the foundation course: 

PORT 299/HIST 299 Contemporary Brazilian Culture and Civilization (3 credits)
This course reviews some of the main issues related to contemporary Brazilian culture, history, social and political conditions, and literary and artistic trends. (In English; credits count for the Other Cultures requirement.)

All students should choose one or two of the following courses:

B A 499 Doing Business in Brazil and in the Americas (3 credits)
This course prepares students for future international business careers, introducing them to Brazil's business world and analyzing the most important issues related to its economy. Distinguished guest speakers from different business and academic backgrounds can help students better understand all areas of Brazil's economy. (In English; credits count for the International Business Minor.)

PORT 199 Beginning Portuguese (3 credits)
This course allows students to acquire basic conversational skills in Portuguese.

PORT 003 Intermediate Portuguese (3 credits)
This course is designed for students who have already taken Portuguese 001 and Portuguese 002 (or have a language proficiency equal to two semesters of Portuguese) and want to improve their language proficiency.

PORT 405 Advanced Composition and Conversation (3 credits)
This course is designed for students who have already taken Portuguese 003, have met the requirements for that course, or have language proficiency equal to three semesters of Portuguese.

Eligibility

The program is open to all Penn State students and students from other institutions with a minimum 2.5 grade-point average. Applicants are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are encouraged to apply early, as enrollment is limited.

Faculty

Julia Cuervo Hewitt is an associate professor of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese at Penn State's University Park campus. Her specialty is Latin American literature. 

Javier Escudero is a former associate professor of Spanish at Penn State's University Park campus. He now works in Brazil as Director of Brazil Cultural.

Dayse Bede has a master of education in curriculum and instruction with an expertise in World Languages-Spanish from Penn State (2008). She is a former instructor of Portuguese at Penn State. She is Brazilian and has Portuguese as her first language.

The business course (B A 499) is taught by a business faculty member from Brazil.

 

Expenses

The total program fee includes two components: tuition (based on the number of credits) and a class fee (based on activities and location). All the students will pay the in-state tuition rate for 2010 Summer Abroad programs.

Expenses NOT covered are: (American Dollars)

• round-trip airfare (between $800 to $1,200)
• passport ($60) and student visa ($150 to $200)
• personal expenses ($400) and gifts ($30)
• transportation in Salvador (local bus and taxi fares, $150)
• textbooks and supplies ($50)
• optional trips (prices TBA)

Estimated Tuition (6 credits)

Out-of-state students will be charged the out-of-state tuition rate until the first day of the program. At that time, the students’ bursar account will be adjusted to reflect the in-state tuition rate of $613 per credit.

In-state students will pay tuition according to their standing and the Penn State tuition schedule.

$3,678 in-state/out-of-state

The University reserves the right to revise the schedule of tuition and charges without further notice. For more information on tuition, visit http://tuition.psu.edu.

Class Fee

The class fee of $2,395 includes insurance, program activities (excluding optional trips), accommodations, three meals per day while in Salvador and Praia do Forte, field trip to Praia do Forte, and administration costs.

Estimated Total Program Fee

The estimated program fee of $6,073 includes tuition as well as the class fee.

Financial Aid

For alternative grant, loan, and minority and Whole World scholarship information, visit the Education Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarships Web page.

Refunds

All cancellations must be received by the conference planner in writing, by mail or fax. Do not use eLion; it does not remove you from the course, and you will be held responsible for all fees. Full refunds minus the nonrefundable $1,000 application fee will be made for cancellations received at least thirty days prior to the first day of the program. Refund requests made after that time will not be honored, and the participant or sponsoring organization will be responsible for the fees.

Information Technology Fee: 1 to 4.5 credits, $78; 5 to 8.5 credits, $170; 9 or more credits, $230

For passport information, visit www.travel.state.gov/passport/index.html.

How to Apply

Financial assistance: The Student Support Initiative for Penn State undergraduates enrolling in our Summer Education Abroad programs will continue for summer 2010. If you would like to be considered for such an award, please indicate this in the required short essay you will submit with your application. Include the reasons why you should receive financial assistance.

Submit your online application through Penn State Education Abroad.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 18, 2010

Cancellation: The University may cancel or postpone any course or activity because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the University will refund registration fees but cannot be held responsible for any related costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.

Access: Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing special accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the conference planner at 814-863-1738.

Space may be available after the application deadline. Please contact the conference planner to determine availability and/or to be added to the waiting list.

Contact Us

Dr. Julia Cuervo Hewitt
The Pennsylvania State University
237 Burrowes Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-4252 or 814-863-2910
Fax: 814-863-7944
E-mail: jch11@psu.edu

Dr. Javier Escudero
On-site Director
Brazil Cultural
E-mail: study@brazilcultural.com

Dayse Bede
The Pennsylvania State University
237 Burrowes Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-308-2297
Fax: 814-863-7944
E-mail: dpb172@psu.edu

Regarding application process:
Carolyn Andersen, Conference Planner
The Pennsylvania State University
The 329 Building, Suite 213
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-1738
Fax: 814-865-3749
E-mail: ConferenceInfo2@outreach.psu.edu

Regarding financial aid:
Office of Student Aid
The Pennsylvania State University
314 Shields Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-6301

For alternative grant, loan, and minority and Whole World scholarship information, visit the Education Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarships Web page.