CET Brazil Study Abroad

CET Brazil: At-A-Glance

Three academic tracks to customize your term
Electives in a variety of fields
Direct-enroll opportunities to learn alongside local undergraduates
Courses taught in English or Portuguese
Live with a Brazilian roommate
Traveling Seminar to Salvador da Bahia
Portuguese language classes for all levels
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SOCIAL Justice

BUSINESS AT FGV

DIRECT-ENROLL AT USP

SOCIAL Justice

BUSINESS AT FGV

DIRECT-ENROLL AT USP

SOCIAL Justice

BUSINESS AT FGV

DIRECT-ENROLL AT USP

Spend a semester living in São Paulo—one of the world’s biggest and most multicultural cities. From here, take on one of three academic tracks to shape your Brazil experience according to your interests and academic needs. And to top it all off, you 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.

Academics in Brazil

Choose one of three academic tracks to explore Brazil exactly how you want to. Focus on social justice, explore pathways to sustainability for the business world, or challenge your language skills with direct-enroll coursework in Portuguese at one of the best universities in country. And no matter which track you take on, you and your peers take learning on the road with a week-long Traveling Seminar to Salvador da Bahia. 

Choose your academic track

group of people in lush forest

Get to know Brazil from all sides

Out-of-class connections. Get into the city with site visits around São Paulo. Head to a Guarani indigenous community to meet with leaders. Attend a politically engaged poetry reading. Hear from members of the Homeless Workers Social Movement.

English and Portuguese. Tailor your curriculum with electives in English or Portuguese. If you’re an intermediate-level Portuguese speaker, you can 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.

Social Justice & INEQUALITY

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.

Semester Snapshot

Social Justice

Curriculum & Syllabi

You take one core course, a Portuguese language class, and three electives to meet the total 15 to 18 recommended credits. Intermediate or advanced Portuguese language students can swap CET electives for direct-enroll classes, taught in Portuguese.

You take this 3-credit core course, taught in English or Portuguese depending on your language abilities:

Beginning Portuguese students choose three CET electives. Intermediate and advanced Portuguese students choose three electives with at least one direct-enroll elective at PUC-SP to meet the total 15 to 18 recommended credits. 

CET Electives
Direct-Enroll Electives at Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo

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: 

  • Política Internacional Contemporânea (Contemporary International Politics)
  • Direito Internacional (International Law)
  • Relações Internacionais e Economia Política (International Relations and Political Economy)
  • Colonialismo, Guerras e Descolonização (Colonialism, Wars, and Decolonization)
  • Meio Ambiente e Capitalismo (Environment and Capitalism)
  • Gênero, Raça e Classe Nas Relações Internacionais (Gender, Race, and Class in International Relations)
  • Cidades Violentas: Dinâmicas Locais e Globais (Violent Cities: Local and Global Dynamics)
  •  

*CET converts final grades from PUC-SP to US letter grade equivalents

 

Socially sustainable business at fgv

Get a world-class education with an emphasis on social sustainability. You take direct-enroll classes alongside Brazilian undergraduates at Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), and a core course that explores what role careful ethics and social issues can play in business.

Semester Snapshot

Socially Sustainable Business at FGV

Curriculum & Syllabi

You take one core course, a Portuguese language class, and direct-enroll electives to meet the total 15 to 18 recommended credits.

You add direct-enroll electives to meet the total 15 to 18 recommended credits. These classes are 2 to 4 credits each and taught at Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) in either English or Portuguese. To take a Portuguese-taught direct-enroll course, you are required to take FGV’s language placement test to determine eligibility. Courses vary each term, but electives that have previously run include:

Business & marketing
  • Digital Business Strategy 
  • Entrepreneurial Experience 
  • Global Marketing 
  • Corruption and Corporate Misconduct 
  • Lean Innovation 
  • Marketing for Low-Income Consumers 
  • Negotiation 
  • ESG and Institutional Investment 
  • Corporate Governance 
  • People Management 
Global & Area Studies
  • Global Corruption 
  • The Brazilian Economy 
  • Fundamentals of Global Health 
  • Latin America: A Geopolitical Guide 
  • Political Science 
  • International Financial and Monetary Relations 
Accounting
  • Financial Accounting 
  • Sustainable Accounting and Finance 
Information Technology and Data
  • Management of Information Technology 
  • Modeling for Decision Support 

CET converts final grades from FGV to US letter grade equivalents.

students listening in class

Gain a new perspective on business

More than just business. With FGV’s diverse course offering in English and Portuguese, there’s something for everyone. Take Sustainable Accounting and Finance, Global Marketing, or something that focuses locally, like Latin America: A Geopolitical Guide. And no matter what you choose, your classes offer an engaging opportunity to explore perspectives and ideas beyond the American higher education system.

Fundação Getúlio Vargas. The program is hosted by Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), an internationally renowned private university known for its excellence in business education. With triple international accreditation (including AACSB International, the same accreditation system that US business schools use), FGV plays a leading role in Brazil. Campus is right by Paulista Avenue, a major business center—making it easily accessible via public transport and filled with plenty to do. 

DIRECT-ENROLL AT Universidade de São Paulo

Fully immerse in the Brazilian undergraduate experience at one of Latin America’s most highly regarded public universities. Learn alongside local students to not only challenge and improve your Portuguese skills, but also widen your global perspective. 

Semester Snapshot

Direct-Enroll at USP

Curriculum & Syllabi

You take one pre-semester Portuguese intensive, one CET elective, and direct-enroll in two or three courses at USP to meet the total 15 to 18 recommended credits.

  • You take a three-week language intensive that helps you warm up your Portuguese in time for your direct-enroll coursework (3 credits):

    • Pre-semester Portuguese Intensive
 
 

Choose two or three direct-enroll electives to meet the total 15 to 18 recommended credits. These classes are 2 to 4 credits each and taught at Universidade de São Paulo (USP) in Portuguese. Courses vary each term, but students have a vast selection in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

CET converts final grades from USP to US letter grade equivalents.

birds-eye shot of students in courtyard

Learn alongside Brazilian undergraduates

Study like never before. Spend a semester “doing as the locals do” and enroll at Brazil’s top university. Apply your language skills daily with electives taught in Portuguese and engage with your Brazilian counterparts during in-class discussions. And whether you’re interested in the sciences, social sciences, or humanities, you can get both a top-tier education and an immersive experience of a lifetime. 

Universidade de São Paulo. The Direct-Enroll at USP track offers the opportunity to attend Universidade de São Paulo (USP)—one of South America’s most prestigious educational institutions. As a student of Brazil’s largest public university, not only can you partake in local campus life, you also have the chance connect with students from all over the country.  

interested in SEEING a different academic track in brazil?

Traveling Seminar to Salvador da Bahia

Spend a week learning beyond the big city to explore the African roots of Brazilian culture. During your week-long seminar to Salvador da Bahia, you: 

•  Travel to the countryside and visit Kaonge Quilombo, a Brazilian hinterland settlement founded by the descendants of enslaved Africans.
•  Take a trip to the São Joaquim Market, then attend an ethno-gastronomy workshop that focuses on recreating dishes from African countries as a tool of resistance.
•  Visit Dendê Valley, a local start-up accelerator that prioritizes marginalized entrepreneurs.
•  Enjoy some relaxation time as you board a schooner to island hop while while enjoying live Brazilian music.

Housing and Meals

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Living Like a Local

Local Roommates. Sharing an apartment with a local student can teach you everything you need to know about Brazilian college life. Where to find the best pão de queijo (cheese bread) for on-the-go snacking. What mobile apps are used locally. Which trails to hike in Ibirapuera Park. It’s no wonder students often tell us that their roommate is “one of the best parts of the program.” Learn more about living with a local roommate. 

Eating in São Paulo. For meals, take advantage of the city’s vibrant food scene and try all the local specialties. Brigadeiro (condensed milk-based chocolate truffle), anyone? Feeling like a home-cooked meal? Grab ingredients at the farmers’ market and have a night in with your roommates. Learn more about accommodating your dietary needs in Brazil. 

Students, faculty, and staff posing for a photo during a World Cup 2022 watch party.

Life in São Paulo

people dancing in streets of city

São Paulo is a diverse and vibrant city, with a busy calendar of events that can satisfy any interest. Go to a weekend festival. Find your favorite café in Perdizes, the tree-lined neighborhood you call home. Hang out with friends at a boteco (corner bar). Explore the robust food scene or picnic at one of the cities 113 public parks. Walk up and down a car-free Avenida Paulista on Sundays and listen to live music as you shop with local vendors. Attend a soccer match at the stadium. And if you’re studying abroad in the spring, get ready for Carnaval…

Experience São Paulo with CET

Around the city. Each term, the program offers different extra-curricular activities that allow you to explore São Paulo and Brazilian culture. Break a sweat at a samba class or experience local futebol culture at a match. Lunch at a local occupation with your peers (social movement on urban housing) or blow off steam at a karaoke night in the Liberdade neighorhood. And there’s even more to see on your own.

A Weekend Away. Spend the weekend in Paraty, a colonial city in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Hike through the rainforest to two waterfalls. Visit Ilha do Araújo and meet local fishermen depending on livelihoods that are both traditional and sustainable. Then learn about traditional medicine before enjoying a homemade meal. Trek along the beach, then enjoy plenty of free time to explore the area.

Give back to the community. If you opt to volunteer in São Paulo, you might spend your semester helping teach art workshops for children, repairing damaged tech for women in need, or teaching English to communities suffering from gender discrimination. 

Student Resources

"Earlier this month, CET Brazil had our Traveling Seminar trip to Salvador, Bahia—a city on the coast of the northeast region of Brazil. Salvador is one of the country’s most historic cities, as it was the first colonial port and capital. The city is divided into two parts: the upper and lower city. Throughout our seminar, my camera rarely pulled out. Many of the places that we went to were sacred."

— Angel Akinleye,
Howard University | Spring student

READ ANGEL'S BLOG
"One of my main goals in coming to Brazil was to learn about a new culture and language while gaining new perspectives on life outside the United States. A lot of the things I learned here couldn't be taught in any classroom. Much of what I will take away from Brazil came from my relationships with others including the Brazilian roommates, professors, and the incredible people we met during the CET activities."

— Emily Kersten,
University of Minnesota | Spring student
"This program inspired me to apply for a Fulbright scholarship to continue my race relations and diasporic studies research in Brazil."

— Johneé Rendia Wilson,
American University | Spring student
"There were many moments during this program that checked me and challenged me to approach things differently. Some things affirmed me and supported me, but I don't think I would have been able to be checked/proven wrong in such a way had I not physically come to Brazil and experienced the dynamics. I am extremely grateful for these challenges."

— Hannah Ginsberg,
Kalamazoo College | Fall student
"This program is fantastic at approaching us with broader perspectives, especially in the events and places we go to. I loved Bahia and how intentional the supervisors were in showing us what inequality looks like in Brazil. I love how they frame every activity we do with this in mind and make sure to create a program that is holistic and takes into account the cultural differences that we have."

— Julien Hector,
American University | Fall student
"CET Brazil has mandatory classes that focus on the inequities that exist in Brazil and create the space for students to connect what they are learning back to their own countries. I truly cannot express how amazing my experience was and how incredible of a program CET is."

—Amanda Ortiz,
Macalester College | Spring student
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On-site Staff

Súlia Folli
Senior Resident Director

Vanessa Miranda
Resident Director

Leandro Tardin
Resident Coordinator

Mariana Jansen Ferreira, PhD
Senior Academic Coordinator

Vinícius Rodrigues
Academic Coordinator

Program Fees

$19,390

Of the total program fee, $16,890 goes to tuition and fees, and $2,500 goes to housing and other student life fees.

$20,390

Of the total program fee, $17,450 goes to tuition and fees, and $2,940 goes to housing and other student life fees.

$20,390

Of the total program fee, $17,450 goes to tuition and fees, and $2,940 goes to housing and other student life fees.

What's Included

All of your classes and program-related learning are included with your tuition.

We arrange your housing in a fully-furnished apartment about a 10-minute walk from campus. Your program fees go toward rent, utilities, furnishing, and other management costs.
 

We take you to Salvador da Bahia for a Traveling Seminar. Just bring a camera and your intellectual curiosity.

The activities and excursions that we arrange are included in your program fee. 

From pre-departure to orientation, from on site to re-entry, CET provides you with the support you need every step of the way. 

You’re provided with a comprehensive insurance plan through GeoBlue that even includes medical evacuation coverage.

We guide you step-by-step through the visa process. You do the legwork, but we’ll make sure you have the documents & information you need, when you need it.

Your textbooks and course supplies are covered and waiting for you on site.

At the end of your term, you’ll receive academic documentation as proof of all you’ve accomplished abroad. Depending on your home institution, you will either get a CET grade report or a School of Record transcript from the University of Minnesota.

More on finances

group of students smiling in front of colorful street art

Local Cost of Living. The cost of living in São Paulo is generally lower than that of bigger US cities but higher than most of South America. Produce is cheap (particularly if purchased at farmers’ markets), and you can find lunch for as little as 6 to 7 USD. As with any major city, your spending can vary widely depending on your own habits and lifestyle.

Estimated out-of-pocket expenses: 

How to Apply

  • •  Pre-requisites: None for Social Justice and Business at FGV tracks. For Direct-Enroll at USP, students must have at least 3 semesters of Portuguese. 
  • •  Must be 18 or older at the time of program participation.
  • •  Open to students from any US college or university
  • •  GPA: 3.0 or higher is recommended, students with lower GPAs will be asked for a faculty recommendation to supplement their application

Complete the application through your online CET account. This is a brief form that asks for basic information and has a few short answer questions about why you want to study abroad.

Upload a scan of your passport to your online CET account. This should be a single scan that includes the signed signature page and the photo/personal details page. Don’t have a passport yet? Let us know and we can help advise you.

This is an online form that your study abroad office completes to let us know you meet the requirements to study abroad. To send the electronic form request,  simply enter the name and email address of your study abroad advisor in the designated fields of your online account.

Your online CET account has specific instructions for submitting an official transcript.

APPLICATION INFO

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Fall Semester:

April 1

Spring Semester:

November 1

Fall Semester:

April 1

Spring Semester:

October 1

Fall Semester:

April 1

Spring Semester:

October 1

Have a question? Get in touch!

Melanie MacKenzie

Manager, Student Services 
202.846.7662
[email protected]

Price Subject to Change:

CET reserves the right to increase quoted charges at any time without prior notification, based on increased instruction costs, exchange rate fluctuation or other cost increases beyond CET’s control.

Course Availability

Our goal is to offer every course every term, but sometimes factors like faculty availability and program enrollment keep us from reaching that goal. If you’re concerned about needing to enroll in one particular course, please contact us
 

CET Jordan: Academic Consultation Board

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:

Academic Consultation Board Members

Learn More about our Programs