Brazil study abroad application

Study Abroad Program to Brazil

The History of Race in the Americas: Exploring Racial Identity and Representation in Brazil is a three-credit Summer 1 course that has both on-campus and overseas components. The course introduces students to historical, sociological, and multifaceted dimensions of race and racial identity in Latin America, with an emphasis on the historical, political, economic, and cultural dynamic of Afro-Brazilians and the African Diaspora in Brazil. Students will explore a wide range of topics that comprise current Brazilian society, including the legacy of slavery, social justice issues, economic disparity, and manifestations of African culture. The trip includes visits to historical and cultural sites, academic institutions, and NGOs. Students will examine the causes and effects of Brazil’s complex past on contemporary society and consider race as both a social construct and as a lived experience in this fascinating part of the world.  Students will be required to do preliminary study in Brazilian Portuguese through the Rosetta Stone program.

Course Credit: 3 credits (AAADS-A154 or LTAM-L200) 

Mandatory pre-travel classes (Fridays during the second 8-week of Spring 2019):
March 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19, and 26; 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Travel to Brazil:
The study tour will take place from May 10 – 24, 2019. The travel component of the trip can be physically intense and students should be prepared for long days in a hot climate. Students will submit their last assignment after returning from the travel.

The program is open to ALL IU Bloomington undergraduate students.

Additional program requirements are:

  • At least 18 years old
  • Have minimum IU Cum GPA of 2.7
  • Have not participated in OVPDEI-sponsored study abroad programs before (India, Ghana, Peru, and Dominican Republic)
  • Seniors must have one semester to complete at IU upon their return from the study abroad program.

This is an OVPDEI custom study abroad course. Therefore, students in the following OVPDEI academic programs receive subsidized price:

  • Hudson and Holland Scholars Program (HHSP)
  • Groups Scholars Program
  • 21st Century Scholars Program
  • FASE mentor or OVPDEI-funded ASC tutors

Selection preferences are given to those who have no previous study abroad and overseas travel experience.

$4,350 - full program cost
$1,650 – for selected students in OVPDEI academic scholarship program
The program fee includes course tuition (3 IU credit hours), roundtrip transportation from Bloomington to the airport, roundtrip international flights, airport transfers in country, accommodations in Brazil, all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), domestic transportation to and from all excursion sites, entry fees to all museums and historical sites, lectures and workshop fees, student travel insurance, Brazilian visa fees, and administrative fees.
*Program fee is subject to change due to unforeseeable circumstances.

Additional Variable Costs:
Variable costs are paid before and after you arrive in Brazil. The costs are:

  • Cost of US passport ($150: $135 passport + $15 passport photos). Expedited service costs additional $60.
  • Recommended vaccinations ($300-$500). Consult your health insurance provider or IU Health Center
  • Spending money in Brazil ($250 to $350) to purchase gifts, personal items, additional or alternate meals, and tips for services)
  • Miscellaneous (additional luggage, insect repellant, snacks, etc.)

The selected OVPDEI students automatically receive an OVPDEI scholarship towards the Brazil program. Therefore, students are not eligible to apply for additional funding through the summer study abroad scholarship from OVPDEI.

Students are responsible for securing funds for the student portion or full cost (if not receiving the automatic scholarship) for the program. Since it is a Summer 1 course, students must be registered for at least 6 credits (another class) to apply for student loans.

Potential Scholarships for Program (please check your eligibility for each scholarship)

Edward L. Hutton International Experiences Program (HIEP):
https://hiep.indiana.edu/hiep-grant-program/application-instructions.html
Diversity Abroad Scholarship:
https://www.diversityabroad.com/scholarships
Office of Overseas Study:
https://overseas.iu.edu/funding/financial-aid/scholarships/index.html

The course is intended for, but not limited to, students interested in topics such as human rights, social justice, social movements, African American and African Diaspora Studies, Latin American & Caribbean Studies, history, immigration, gender studies, literature, and anthropology.

  1. Application is available online at http://go.iu.edu/2019OVPDEIBrazil by February 8, 2019
  2. Qualified applicants will receive an interview request from OVPDEI Overseas Studies & Scholarship Program. Each interview will take about 10-15 minutes.
  3. The applicants will be notified of the decision by February 22, 2019.
    Participation is contingent upon attending all pre-trip sessions, paying all required deposits and fees, and abiding by the rules/guidelines of the program.

Please contact the OVPDEI Overseas Studies and Scholarship Program (demaschl@indiana.edu) with questions. 

February 1: Information session (3 p.m. IMU Sassafras Room)
February 8: Application deadline (11:59 p.m.)
February 22: Selection decision
March 1: Student acceptance
March 8: $500 Deposit is due (non-refundable)
March 22: On-campus sessions starts
April 26: On-campus session ends
May 10-24: Travel to Brazil

  • Complete/submit signed acceptance form
  • Complete all necessary forms for OVPDEI, CIEE, and Office of Overseas Study (instruction will be provided)
  • Pay deposit (Due March 8)
  • Apply for/renew passport (Apply now. Passports are issued for ten years.)
  • Submit Brazilian visa materials to OVPDEI
  • Apply for Hutton Honors College, Diversity Abroad, and other applicable scholarships. Please note that the OVPDEI summer study abroad scholarship cannot be used for this program.
  • Acquire necessary vaccinations and medication
  • Attend mandatory class sessions
  • Attend pre-departure orientation
  • Pay the remaining Brazil course balance to Bursar (Due May 10)