University of Iowa in Brazil

If students complete courses while abroad from Purdue colleges that have not approved the program, they might be able to earn transfer credit for those courses. Students interested in pursuing transfer credit should discuss this with both their academic advisor and their study abroad advisor before applying to the program.

The program is open to Purdue students who have completed at least two semesters of university study by the start of the program. Successful candidates will demonstrate academic success, maturity and a desire to experience another culture.

Classes are held weekday mornings in ACBEU (Associação Cultural Brazil Estados Unidos). Additionally, topics ranging from Brazilian culture to economy and politics with be explored through afternoon lectures, cultural activities and occasional weekend field trips. Students choose from one of three tracks, depending on their Portuguese language level, which will be determined by a placement test at the beginning of the program. All courses are taught in Portuguese.

Track I: Português para Iniciantes (Elementary Portuguese) = (6 semester hours; 72 hours of classroom language learning + 18 hours of cutlural activities)

Track II: Português para Nível Intermediário (Intermediate Portuguese) = (6 semester hours; 72 hours of classroom language learning + 18 hours of cultural activities)

Track III: Advanced Portuguese students will take at least two of the following (3 semester hours each):

1) Expressão Oral e Escrita (Oral and Written Expression / "Brazil in the News")

2) Advanced Grammar

3) Culture Course (Practices of African Origin)

Students should carefully note what costs need to be paid to Purdue University or to an outside agency and what costs need to be paid after arrival at the overseas study location.  This will vary by program.

Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are for: Summer 2008

Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should

• direct financial aid inquiries to the Division of Financial Aid on the West Lafayette campus; 
• consult the brochure entitled, Financial Aid and Study Abroad -- Purdue University Guidelines;
• complete and submit the FAFSA by the appropriate deadline.

NOTE:  Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs (those funded by the State of Indiana such as Indiana Top Scholars) should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad.  Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.

Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.

For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents by the dates below.  Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline.  To insure a place in a program, apply as early.

As soon as a student submits an on-line application, a My Study Abroad account is created.  Consult the My Study Abroad page for the specific list of requirements for the chosen program since those can differ slightly from program to program.  Applicants may also check on the status of their applications.

After a student is approved for a program, s/he will receive additional information regarding any necessary supplemental paperwork, including any program-specific applications, and confirmation deposits.

The classroom experience is broadened with afternoon lectures, guided field trips to historical sites, museums, churches, candomblé temples, capoeira academies, shantytowns, and social organizations. These visits/talks compliment the afternoon lectures on architecture, history, capoeira, candomblé, Bahian dance (topics might vary slightly from year to year) given by professors of the academic circles of Salvador and by public intellectuals of Bahia. This makes the University of Iowa Study Abroad in Brazil unique: the language experience is embedded in the culture experience.

These activities are mandatory to all students, regardless of the track in which they have been placed. To make sure everyone understands, these talks/lectures/guided tours are given Portuguese and English or vice-versa. There are also short readings the students must do in preparation for the talks/lectures/guided visits. This is part of the language component and the students write about these activities and are graded on their writing. (The students are expected to write according to their level of language proficiency). ALL SCHEDULES, ITINERARIES, AND GROUP ACTIVITIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR.

Purdue students who have come back to campus after participating in an overseas program are an excellent source of information. Click below to search for students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted.  If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who went to the country you are interested in.

The websites listed below contain information of relevence to this program. Purdue Study Abroad is not responsible for the information at sites not maintained by Purdue; the accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.

• Program Sponsor's Home Page: University of Iowa (AESOP)
• Program Website
• Search Google(tm)*
• Department of State Consular Information
  (You must find Brazil in list)
• CDC Travel Information (You must find Brazil in list)