Welcome to São Paulo
Understanding identity abroad is important—regardless of whether or not you think it will play a role in your own experience. While we strive to create and maintain programs that support students of all races, religions, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations, you also play a crucial role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for your peers navigating aspects of their identity in a new country. The information and resources on this page serve as a starting point to help you understand experiences you or your CET classmates may encounter while abroad.
Cultural Climate
Race & Ethnicity
Brazil is famous for its ‘racial democracy,’ a concept that suggests that the nation’s race relations developed to be tolerant and without conflict. However, this has proven to be a myth in practical day-to-day life over time. Although acts of discrimination based on race and color are considered crimes by national law, classism and colorism still exist within the population. White individuals often enjoy more opportunities and privileges, while those that are most affected by racism typically have lower incomes and live on the outskirts of the city. Additionally, Brazil is made more diverse by the refugee population that has doubled in the last four years. Students can reach out to on-site staff for suggestions of local organizations and community groups if interested.
LGBTQ
Due to the huge geographic reach of the country, the LGBTQ climate varies from place to place. Except on its outskirts, São Paulo is friendly to LGBTQ issues and individuals. The city also boasts many LGBTQ-friendly spaces, as well as the largest LGBTQ pride parade in the world. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2013, and there are many groups and communities that students can join—including those at to FGV and PUC-SP, our host universities. Former CET Brazil students have reported feeling comfortable and respected regarding their sexual/gender identities in São Paulo, sometimes even more so than in their hometowns.
Gender
The city of São Paulo itself tends to be more liberal, progressive, and inclusive compared to the rest of Brazil. Issues of gender roles and equality have seen the passing of protective laws and wider overall acceptance. Issues related to gender diversity are gradually gaining awareness, but are still largely limited to academic and progressive circles.
Religion
Brazil is rich with religious diversity and students will encounter many different faiths while living in São Paulo. Brazil has more Roman Catholics than any other country in the world, though this number has been dropping in recent decades. Students wishing to maintain their religious practices while in São Paulo can reach out to on-site staff for more information. Excused absences can be granted from some activities or classes for religious purposes with advanced notice.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in São Paulo is higher than other Brazilian cities and most of South America, but generally lower than that of bigger US cities. Produce is cheap (particularly if purchased at farmers’ markets), and students can find lunch in their neighborhood 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. Past students have mentioned that establishing and adhering to a budget at the beginning of the term was a strategy that helped manage any financial stress. Check out a budget sheet to get an idea of what life in São Paulo might look like financially.
Accommodations Abroad
CET makes every effort to offer accommodations comparable to those of your home institution. Disclosing early helps us to make proper preparations and work with you to determine if a program will be a good fit. We recommend that you use the following details to inform your decisions and conversations with your Student Services Coordinator.
CET Brazil: Social Justice
ACCESS in ACADEMICS
Day-to-Day
Students typically attend classes for 2 to 6 hours a day. On average, language classes have 4 to 8 students, CET electives can have up to 10 students per class, and direct-enroll electives at PUC-SP have 30 to 40 students per class on average.
Services available for students with documented need: Low-distraction test environment; extra time on exams; modified deadlines and seating; an exam reader; audio recordings of lectures; a computer to take exams; a mobility orientation to campus; permission for on-campus service animals; term syllabi/readings/assignments in advance. These accommodations may differ for direct-enroll courses at PUC-SP and will need to be negotiated with professors in advance.
Classrooms & Campus
The CET Center is a three-story building that houses on-site staff offices, a study room, classrooms, and other common spaces. It is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible, as the use of stairs is required to reach the second and third floors. The core course, language courses, and orientation are held here. Many spaces on the PUC-SP campus are wheelchair accessible, except for the “Cardeal Mota” (Prédio Velho) building. Both PUC-SP and the CET Center are located in a hilly area which may present challenges for students with mobility issues.
Out-of-Class Activities
CET occasionally plans mandatory academic activities and optional trips to nearby sites and other cities after class and on weekends. Excursions may involve urban walking, rural hiking, use of public transportation, and/or going up and down stairs.
Itinerary modifications and accommodations can be made for students with documented need. Transportation can be arranged as necessary, and excused absences are provided for mandatory excursions that are inaccessible due to a disability.
CET Brazil: Business
ACCESS in ACADEMICS
Day-to-Day
Students typically attend classes for 2 to 6 hours a day. On average, language classes have 4 to 8 students, the core course has up to 10 students, and FGV classes have 25 to 40 students.
Services available for students with documented need: Low-distraction test environment; extra time on exams; modified deadlines and seating; an exam reader; a computer to take exams; audio recordings of lectures; a mobility orientation to campus; permission for on-campus service animals; term syllabi/readings/assignments in advance. These accommodations may differ for direct-enroll courses at FGV (the host university) and will need to be negotiated with professors in advance.
Classrooms & Campus
The CET Center is a three-story building that houses on-site staff offices, a study room, classrooms, and other common spaces. It is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible, as the use of stairs is required to reach the second and third floors. The core course, language courses, and orientation are held here. The CET Center is located in a hilly area which may present challenges for students with mobility issues. Fundação Getúlio Vargas (the host university) has ramps, elevators, and bathroom suites designed for those with mobility issues.
Out-of-Class Activities
CET occasionally plans mandatory academic activities and optional trips to nearby sites and other cities after class and on weekends. Excursions may involve urban walking, rural hiking, use of public transportation, and/or going up and down stairs.
Itinerary modifications and accommodations can be made for students with documented need. Transportation can be arranged as necessary, and excused absences are provided for mandatory excursions that are inaccessible due to a disability.
ACCESS IN HOUSING
Your Home Abroad
Apartments differ in layout and location but are within walking distance of the CET Center from the Perdizes neighborhood of São Paulo. Business students have a 20- to 25-minute commute by bus to Fundação Getúlio Vargas, and Social Justice students have 5- to 15-minute commute on foot to Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo. The apartments have elevators, but the surrounding areas have many unlevel sidewalks that could pose a problem for those using mobility aids. Students with mobility issues should notify their Student Services Coordinator in advance to evaluate suitable housing accommodations.
Housing Assignments
Apartment configurations vary but can include mix-gender and same-gender setups. Rooms are typically shared, but a single room in a shared apartment may be available for students with documented need if requested in advance.
Around São Paulo
Buses and metro stations are accessible for those with mobility issues. However, sidewalks are typically not level and can be difficult to walk on. São Paulo has several associations that provide resources and support to individuals with mobility issues. On-site staff can advise students and make recommendations for navigating the city.
"CET Brazil provides you with ample opportunity and freedom to really get to know São Paulo. The staff provides workshops and events for you to attend for the first few weeks to get you comfortable with traveling."
Macalester College | Spring student
Health & Diet
As a part of your program fee, you are enrolled in GeoBlue health insurance for the entire duration of your program. Learn more about GeoBlue and how we operate programs with health and safety in mind.
Health & Medicine
On-site staff maintain a list of doctors that are both recommended by the US consulate and GeoBlue health insurance, some of which are English-speaking. During orientation, on-site staff provide students with basic information and recommendations for seeing a doctor and buying medicine. It is highly recommended that students bring an entire semester’s worth of any medications they use regularly. Basic medications like painkillers, allergy medicine, etc, can easily be found in local pharmacies.
Keeping Fit in São Paulo
Life in São Paulo offers many opportunities to keep fit and healthy while abroad. There are multiple gyms near the student apartments with varying monthly memberships, a list of which can be provided upon request. Additionally, there are athletic clubs at the host universities (soccer, handball, volleyball, rugby, etc.) that students can participate in. There are also many outdoor spaces (like the nearby Água Branca Park or the Av. Sumaré track and bike line) where students can go for a run or bike ride.
Managing Mental Health
On-site staff maintain a list of doctors recommended by the US consulate, which includes a few English-speaking psychologists and psychiatrists. Contact information can be provided to students upon request.
Dietary Restrictions
Many dietary needs and preferences (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, etc.) are easy to maintain while in São Paulo. During the Traveling Seminar in Bahia, options may be more limited—particularly during the period of immersion in the indigenous village.
Resources from Alumni
Perspective pieces
These are alumni-written essays that reflect upon how their own identity affected their time abroad (both good and bad) and what it was like to navigate another culture in their position. We encourage you to read these to better understand what studying abroad in Brazil could be like for you or your future peers.
Are you a CET Brazil alumnus? Consider telling us about your time abroad.
- Studying Abroad in São Paulo, Brazil by Anonymous Contributor
CET Brazil: Social Justice | Spring 2018
BLOG Posts
This is a curated list of blog posts chosen specifically to provide context for life abroad. Posts here may cover culture shock, diversity, daily life and workload, etc. To see all posts from students in São Paulo, head to the Student Voices blog.
- Mental Health & Study Abroad
By Maddie Ryan, Arizona State University | Fall 2022 - Photo Essay | CET Brazil Social Justice
By Carly Longman, University of Massachusetts Amherst | Spring 2020 - Photo Essay | CET Brazil
By Ricky Tibbetts, Syracuse University | Spring 2019 - São Paulo, A City of Contradictions
By Sinclair Blue, Georgetown University | 2018-2019 Academic Year
Alumni Insight
In final evaluations, we ask students how their identities affected their experience abroad. The following are a few select quotes from recent program evaluations to help you understand what life in Brazil may be like for you or your future peers.
TALK TO ALUMNI
Chat with alumni about their experiences abroad. Once you start an application, your online CET account will give you access to the following resources:
- Alumni Support List: A directory of students who have volunteered to chat about their experiences abroad in Brazil.
- Identity Abroad Support Network: A group of students who have volunteered to discuss their identity-related experiences in Brazil. This is a volunteer-based program that started in 2019. Volunteers can also opt to have their contact information kept privately by CET staff and only shared when certain lived experiences are asked about.
Don’t see anyone listed for the Identity Abroad Support Network? Call CET for more information and resources. Consider joining after your program to support other minority students abroad.