Brazil
Fortaleza, Brazil

May 30 – July 2, 2010

Total Program Fee: $3,900

   Academics and Courses      Application       Cost of the Program        Important Details

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 forró), 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 açaí (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 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 Ceará, an important seaport, and a recreational retreat for Brazilians. Students will be housed in home stays with local families. The program will be in Fortaleza for five weeks.

Program Description:

This program is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of Brazilian culture and Portuguese language, with additional course work offered in anthropology, music, and intermediate and advanced Portuguese. Through homestays with Brazilian families, class work, and excursions, students will be exposed to wide cultural traditions and practices.

Please note: Prospective students should be aware that study abroad programs require a great deal of walking. You should be prepared to walk at least a mile or two each day. You may also walk over uneven, possibly slippery or rocky terrain even in cities.

Excursions: While in Fortaleza there will be excursions each weekend to nearby towns and beaches. Day trips include excursions to Lagoniha, Morro Branco, Cumbuco, and Canidé. There will be a three-day trip to Jericoacoara (considered the world’s ninth most beautiful beach).

Classes: Each class will be 90 minutes and will meet Monday-Friday. Class times run from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Accommodations: The first two nights and while in Jericoacoara students will stay in hotels, two or more per room. The rest of the program, students will live with local families – one or two students to a home stay. Meals will be provided by the host family, except while in hotels where only breakfast is provided. Given the structure of the program (immersion in Brazilian culture) and the resources available to the typical host family, the program may not be able to accommodate students with specific dietary preferences. If you have dietary concerns, please contact the program director for more information.

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. Since the home stay is a vital part of the experience, all students will take at least one language-related course.

There are two coursework options available:

Option 1: Language and Culture – for this option, students are required to take

Introduction to Language and Culture in Brazil – 3 credits

And one of the following courses:

Anthropology: Peoples & Cultures of Latin America – 3 credits

Music: Music Appreciation – 3 credits

Option 2: Intermediate and Advanced Language - 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

ANTHROPOLOGY: Introduction to Language and Culture in Brazil (No Prerequisites)
Course specially designed for the TnCIS study abroad program in Fortaleza, Brazil. Basic grammar and vocabulary in Portuguese to facilitate home stay communication, as well as an overview of Brazilian culture, including family, gender, race and class relations and patterns of social interaction. (course may dual listed with a community’s college 2000 – level course). See course syllabus 

ANTHROPOLOGY: Peoples and Cultures of Latin America (No Prerequisites)
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 

MUSIC: Music Appreciation (No Prerequisites)
This course will focus on developing listening skills and an understanding of Western music from the ancient world through the 20th century. Brazil, a country with a rich musical tradition, has enjoyed (and still has) a strong Western Art Music tradition, a thriving jazz and pop influence, and an enormous variety of indigenous music. Students will benefit greatly from acquiring a true appreciation for music in this diverse setting. See course syllabus 

PORTUGUESE: Intermediate Portuguese I & II (Prerequisite: Portuguese 1020)
A review of Portuguese grammar with readings and oral exercises designed to improve the students’ skills and understanding of Brazilian Culture.
See course syllabus
See course syllabus

PORTUGUESE: Advanced Portuguese I & II (Prerequisite: Portuguese 2020)
Advanced-level practice in language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, including review of Portuguese grammar.
See course syllabus
See course syllabus

Application:

Applications will be available online beginning October 15, 2009 and are due on February 11, 2010. 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 college credit hours. Eligible students currently enrolled or accepted and in good standing (this includes academic and disciplinary matters) at a TnCIS Member Institution may apply to any TnCIS study abroad program. A complete application consists of:

   1. The completed online application
   2. The nonrefundable $100 application fee (paid at your home institution)
   3. An official transcript sent to TnCIS by the registrar at your institution
   4. 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 program contract, agreement, medical surrogacy and medical history forms. These forms will be filled out by the applicant after being accepted into the program and turned into the TnCIS office. Details will be sent out in the acceptance letter. These forms are updated every year as needed. DO NOT complete these forms before being accepted. Any updated forms will be sent to you via email. Click here to view the forms. 

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, program fee**, tuition and airfare. All fees are paid at your home institution.

Application Fee: All students are required to pay a nonrefundable application fee of $100 by the February 11, 2010 application deadline.
 
Total Program Fee: The total program fee for Brazil is $3,900. It covers roundtrip international travel from Nashville, program lodging, group excursions, required ground transportation, all meals with host family, and limited health insurance. Expenses not covered in the total program fee are: passport, textbooks, visitor visa, meals while in hotels (5 days), bus and taxi expenditures in Fortaleza, 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.

Airfare: The group roundtrip international airfare from Nashville is included in the Total Program Fee.

**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 18, 2010. 

Payment Deadlines: February 11th - $100 Nonrefundable Application Fee
                       March 18th - Full payment due (Program fee and airfare)

Cancellation Policy: Through March 18th – Full refund less $100 application fee
                       Between March 19th and April 15th - $1500 cancellation fee 
                       After April 15th – No Refund

Important Details:

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. To see FAQ’s on study abroad financial aid click here. 

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 27, 2010, from 1:00 - 4:00 PM in Central Tennessee. According to Tennessee Board of Regents policy, all students must attend. 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.

Non-US Citizen Participants: If you are an international student or non-US citizen (i.e. do not hold or are unable to obtain a US passport), you must provide a copy of your current passport and a visa to enter the country of your study abroad program. If a visa is not required, a statement from the program country embassy which indicates that you have appropriate documentation for entry to that country is required. Necessary documentation is the responsibility of the participant. Please contact TnCIS for assistance.

TnCIS Contact Information:

TnCIS Office TnCIS
PO Box 22990
10915 Hardin Valley Road
Knoxville, TN 37933-0990

Theresa Castillo
Program Coordinator, TnCIS
tcastillo@pstcc.edu
865-539-7279