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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 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 firsthand 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.

While in Brazil, students can also participate in two unforgettable optional trips: Rio de Janeiro (June 20–23) and to the Amazon Region and Manaus (June 23–29). 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 experience activities 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.

Student Comment

"Different culture. Javier, the coordinator in Brazil, was extremely amazing. It made the trip worthwhile. The trips planned were great and the overall experience is life changing. I feel as if I have gained a lot more knowledge about the culture and aspects of the people of Brazil. I also improved my Portuguese by living with a family in Salvador." (Brazil 2011)

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 programs of the College of Agricultural Sciences, the College of Arts and Architecture, the College of Health and Human Development, the College of the Liberal Arts, the Smeal College of Business, and University Office of Global Programs

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