Build a foundation for understanding the dynamics of global poverty and inequality—both in and out of the classroom. Study social movements within Brazil, take Portuguese classes to better engage with the community, live with Brazilian roommates that give you an access point into local life, and even travel to Salvador da Bahia to take on learning by experiencing.
Thoughtful connections. We maintain long-term, respectful relationships with our host communities and are proud to be invited back to learn from them year after year. With their help as co-educators, you have meaningful opportunities to connect with those most impacted by the consequences of poverty and inequality. Spend time with a Guarani indigenous community and learn from their leaders. Visit an ocupação (an abandoned building occupied by a group protesting for housing rights) and build your understanding of community organizing. Hear about the history of resistance against a military dictatorship from local activists.
English and Portuguese. Tailor your curriculum with electives in English or Portuguese. And if you place into intermediate- or advanced-level Portuguese, you even direct-enroll in an elective at PUC-SP where all of the coursework is done in Portuguese alongside Brazilian undergraduates.
Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo. The program is hosted by Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo. PUC-SP is a private Catholic university of 23,000 students located in Perdizes, a neighborhood with easy public transportation, plenty of cheap eats, and a lively nightlife.
Students with low or no Portuguese proficiency take one core course, a Portuguese language class, and three electives to meet the total 15 to 18 recommended credits.
You take this 3-credit core course, taught in English:
You are placed into one of these 3-credit courses:
You choose two CET electives and one elective jointly offered by CET and Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC-SP) to meet the total 15 to 18 recommended credits.
Note: Because elective courses are based on total program enrollment and faculty availability, not every elective is offered every term.
Intermediate and advanced Portuguese students can directly enroll in an at least one elective offered at PUC-SP for 2 to 4 credits each*. These courses are taught in Portuguese and are taken alongside Brazilian undergraduates. Some past courses have included (titles translated from Portuguese to English):
*CET converts final grades from PUC-SP to US letter grade equivalents
Students that place at intermediate or advanced Portuguese language levels take one core course, a Portuguese language class, and three to four electives (with at least one direct-enroll course at PUC-SP) to meet the total 15 to 18 recommended credits.
You take this 3-credit core course, taught in Portuguese:
You are placed into one of these 3-credit courses:
To meet the total 15 to 18 recommended credits, intermediate-level students choose three electives with at least one direct-enroll elective at PUC-SP, while advanced-level students choose three to four electives with at least one direct-enroll elective at PUC-SP.
Note: Because elective courses are based on total program enrollment and faculty availability, not every elective is offered every term.
Intermediate and advanced Portuguese students can directly enroll in an at least one elective offered at PUC-SP for 2 to 4 credits each*. These courses are taught in Portuguese and are taken alongside Brazilian undergraduates. Some past courses have included (titles translated from Portuguese to English):
*CET converts final grades from PUC-SP to US letter grade equivalents
Over the years, we’ve built a strong network of locally-based faculty that we’re proud to call our peers. These faculty make up our Academic Consultation Board—a select group of local voices and thought leaders that help advise and shape components of the CET Jordan program.
Board members support the program in many ways, including but not limited to: