Brazil
Fortaleza and Rio de Janiero, Brazil
May 14 - June 25, 2009
Application Fee: $100 (non-refundable)
Program Fee: $4,140
NEW INFORMATION: Pre-departure Information and Itinerary for Brazil Program
All groups will depart from Nashville International Airport (BNA). However, groups may have slightly different itineraries due to space availibility on flights. Please refer to the itinerary sent to you by TnCIS. Due to possible changes in flight numbers and departure times, these schedules are subject to change. Updates will be sent out to all participants via email.
The following information is available for download - PDF
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is possible that not all TnCIS programs or all TnCIS courses are available at your institution. A complete listing of courses offered at each member institution is available at www.tncis.org/members. Please contact your TnCIS campus representative for instructions on registering and paying fees.
Program Location
Brazil is the largest country in Latin America, being roughly the size of the continental United States. It is the only Latin American country to speak Portuguese, which is the seventh most spoken language in the world (surpassing French, German, and Japanese). It is home to the world's tenth largest industrial economy, while also being the home to the world's largest tropical rain forest (the Amazon). It boasts lively music and dance (from samba to forr), plays the world's best soccer, has endless miles of sandy tropical beaches, and celebrates the world's biggest party (carnaval). From caporeira (a mix of martial arts and acrobatics set to the twang of the beribau and drums) to umbanda (a syncretic spirit possession religion); from aa (milk of the Amazon) to feijoada (the black bean national meal), Brazilian culture is a truly unique blend of Indigenous, African, and European antecedents.
The TnCIS program will allow students to experience this unique way of life in two different locations. The first is the Northeastern city of Fortaleza. Located just 5 degrees south of the equator, the city of two and one-half million (fifth largest in Brazil) is surrounded by miles of sandy tropical beaches. Founded over five hundred years ago, the city is today the political seat of the state of Cear, an important seaport, and a recreational retreat for Brazilians. The TnCIS program will be affiliated with the Federal University of Cear and classes will be held on its Benfica campus. Students will be housed in home stays with local families. The program will be in Fortaleza for 36 days.
The second location is the city of Rio de Janeiro. Known as the cidade marvilhosa (marvelous city), Rio is the home of breathtaking landscapes as the ocean meets escarpment. It also contains the world's largest urban rain forest (Tijuca) along with the world famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. The TnCIS program will be in Rio for five days, staying in Copacabana.
Program Description
This program is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of Brazilian culture, with additional course work offered in anthropology, astronomy, and intermediate and advanced Portuguese. Through homestays with Brazilian families (in Fortaleza), class work, and excursions, students will be exposed to a wide variety of cultural traditions and practices, as well as celestial vistas.
Excursions:
While in Fortaleza there will be several weekend excursions to nearby towns and beaches - including a three-day trip to Jeircoacoara (considered the world's ninth most beautiful beach). In Rio there will be excursions to Sugar Loaf, Corcovado, and the Centro (downtown).
Classes:
Classes will meet Monday - Friday for 90 minutes.
Accommodations:
While in Fortaleza, students will live with local families - two students to a home stay. In Rio students will stay in a hotel - three to a room.
Academics:
All TnCIS programs are academic in nature and course work that takes advantage of the program location will be the central focus. TnCIS program courses are for credit only. In Brazil, all students will be required to register for two classes, for a total of 6 credits. Each class will meet Monday - Friday for 90 minutes. There will be two class combinations available to students.
Option 1: Cultural/Science
For this option, students must enroll in Humanities 2000 Introduction to Brazilian Culture and Survival Portuguese - 3 credits. See course syllabus.
In addition, students must enroll in the following course:
Anthropology: Peoples & Cultures of Latin America - 3 credits
ANTHROPOLOGY: Peoples and Cultures of Latin America
This course will focus on the diverse peoples and Cultures of Latin America. History, socio-cultural systems, and contemporary issues and impacts resulting from globalization will be covered from an anthropological perspective. Special emphasis will be given to Brazil. See course syllabus.
Option 2: Language and Culture For this option students must enroll in one of the following sequences:
Portuguese 2010/2020 Intermediate Portuguese (prerequisite is Portuguese 1020) - 6 credits
Portuguese 3010/3020 Advanced Portuguese (prerequisite is Portuguese 2020) - 6 credits
PORTUGUESE: Intermediate Portuguese I & II
A review of Portuguese grammar with readings and oral exercises designed to improve the students's skills and understanding of Brazilian Culture.
See course syllabus for Intermediate Portuguese I
See course syllabus for Intermediate Portuguese II
PORTUGUESE: Advanced Portuguese I & II
Advanced-level practice in language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, including review of Portuguese grammar.
See course syllabus for Advanced Portuguese I
See course syllabus for Advanced Portuguese II
Financial Aid:
Applications for financial aid (scholarships, grants and student loans) must be made through your home institution. Please consult your TnCIS campus representative (see member list) for information and instructions. Scholarships are available at many member institutions.
Mandatory Orientation:
A thorough pre-departure orientation is an essential part of your preparation to study abroad. The mandatory TnCIS orientation for all programs will be held Saturday, March 28, 2009, from 1:00 - 4:00 PM in Central Tennessee. Exact time and place will be announced at the beginning of March on the TnCIS website and in your acceptance notification. Please reserve the date.
Passports
It is critical that you obtain a passport if you do not already have one, or renew yours if it has expired. If you already have a passport, it must be valid for at least six months after your return date. For an application and details on obtaining a passport or renewing one, please refer to the US Department of State passport website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
Application
Applications will be available online beginning October 1, 2008 and are due on February 19, 2009. APPLY NOW. Late applications will be considered on a space available basis. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours. Eligible students currently enrolled or accepted and in good standing at a TnCIS Member Institution may apply to any TnCIS study abroad program.
A complete application consists of:
- The completed on line application
- The application fee of $100 (paid to the cashier at your home institution)
- An official transcript sent to TnCIS by the registrar at your institution
- A letter of recommendation
Please click here to download the letter of recommendation form. This letter should be filled out by a professor who can make a statement regarding your preparedness for the program and how you would benefit from the program.
Other important forms you need to review prior to submitting your application include the Agreement and Assumption of Risk, Program Contract, Medical Surrogacy and Medical History forms. These forms will be filled out by the applicant and turned into the TnCIS office after being accepted into the program. Details will be sent out in the acceptance letter. Click on the links below to view the form. All applicants must review these forms prior to submitting the on-line application.
Agreement and Assumption of Risk
Students will be notified of acceptance by email and a letter. Once accepted, please consult the TnCIS website and the email address used on your application on a regular basis for deadlines and other important information. In international travel frequent changes are to be expected. Email is the primary channel of communication for the office and you will be responsible for information sent to you via email. This information is intended to keep you updated on all activities necessary in your preparation to participate in the program.
Cost of Program:
The total cost of the program is made up of the application fee, the program fee and tuition.
APPLICATION FEE: All students are required to pay a nonrefundable application fee of $100 by the February 19, 2009 application deadline.
PROGRAM FEE: Students will register and pay fees on their home campuses. The fee to the student is $4,140. The fee includes round trip airfare from Nashville, program lodging, limited health insurance, group excursions, required ground transportation, all meals included in Fortaleza, breakfast only in Rio, and other small incidental items. Expenses not covered by the fee include: application fee, passport, textbooks, lunch and dinner in Rio and personal spending money.TUITION: All member institutions provide a tuition scholarship. Therefore, tuition is charged to the student account, but then covered by the institution.
Payment Deadlines: February 19th - $100 Nonrefundable Application Fee
March 19th - Full payment due (Program fee)
Cancellation Policy: Through March 19th - Full refund less $100 application fee
Between March 20th and April 16th - $1500 cancellation fee
After April 16th - No Refund
**TnCIS estimates fees based on the current global financial environment and all attempts are made to keep costs down whenever possible. However, due to the constant fluctuation in the value of the American Dollar and currencies in program countries, it is possible that costs may increase. Therefore, TnCIS reserves the right to notify students regarding an increase in fees due to exchange rates by March 19, 2009.