Brazil is much more than just samba, football, caipirinha and Copacabana. The fifth largest country in the world also has a number of excellent universities and is linked to Germany in many ways in terms of educational policy. Here are a few tips for your semester abroad in this fascinating part of South America.
University landscape
– Brazil has around 200 free public universities. However, the majority are private universities, which are often quite expensive. A circumstance that does not automatically guarantee better teaching. The large public universities – e.g. B. in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo or Campinas – without question the best academic reputation. And are hotly contested by prospective students.
– Many German and Brazilian universities have cooperation agreements (currently around 442). These make it easier to access a guest study place. Does your university also have one?
Study structure
– Lecture period summer semester: March to early July
– Lecture period winter semester: beginning of August to mid-December
– academic degree: Bacharelado (bachelor) or Licenciatura (licentiate, diploma)
– academic degree: Mestrado (Master)
– academic degree: Doutorado (doctoral title)
Admission/Application
– Every Brazilian who wants to study must take an entrance exam (vestibular) in advance.
– As a guest student enrolled at a German university, you do not have to pass the exam and can enroll directly in so-called “matérias isoladas”.
– Application documents: CV in tabular format, copies of exams already taken, “histórico escolar” (list of all lectures and seminars attended per semester with details of the hours per week in the semester and, if applicable, grades), passport, visa
– Enrollment deadlines: summer semester – beginning of February, winter semester – beginning of August
Language
– Lectures etc. in Brazil are held exclusively in Portuguese. You have to take a test to prove that you know the language and can follow the courses.
visa
– If you want your stay to last longer than 90 days, you must apply for a student visa at the Brazilian embassy in Berlin.
– The following must be presented: proof of application to a Brazilian university, passport, police clearance certificate, passport photo, proof of financial security during the stay
– After arrival, you must report to the local police (Policia Federal) within 30 days. There you will receive a temporary carteira de estrangeiro.
Cost of living
– Costs have now almost reached German levels, especially in major cities. If you want to live “well”, you have to budget around 750 euros. If you're frugal, maybe half is enough.
Some examples:
– Cup of coffee: €1.30
– Beer national (0.5 l): €1.30
– Monthly subway ticket: €41.10
– Internet connection/month: €25.99
– Cinema ticket: €5.85
– Rent 1-room apartment in the center: €324.92
Accommodation
– There are only a few student dormitories, especially in the big cities. The rooms/apartments are usually reserved for socially disadvantaged students. You might have a chance if there are university partnerships.
– The costs for your own apartment vary greatly (center – outside, furnished – unfurnished). In general, you should expect to pay between 100 and 500 euros per month.
If you're the shared apartment type, you'll definitely find what you're looking for on the relevant internet portals.
Helpful links
Well-known public universities in Brazil
– São Paulo: University of São Paulo (USP)
– Rio de Janeiro: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)
– Campinas: University of Campinas (UNICAMP)
– Porto Alegre: Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRS)
– Belo Horizonte: Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG)
Scholarships
– Erich Egner scholarship from the Hermes Foundation
– German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Culture & language courses
– Instituto Cultural Brasileiro na Alemanha
– Centro Cultural Brasil-Alemanha
– Brazilian Cultural Institute in Germany ICBRA
visa
Searching for shared apartments and apartments
– BedyCasa
MARCELA
Marcela Pereira Pedro is 22 years old and studies social sciences at the University of São Paulo. She is currently spending a semester abroad at the Free University of Berlin.
UNIGLOBALE: What is student life like in Brazil?
Lively! Especially outside of the seminar rooms. There is always a party somewhere, there are sports competitions taking place, people meet in discussion groups, do volunteer work or are members of social movements. There are also samba groups – a real trend at Brazilian universities. Samba culture is particularly widespread among young people.
UNIGLOBALE: How do students live in Brazil?
Many students live in so-called 'repúblicas', which are located around the universities. Here several students share a house, an apartment, or sometimes just a room. I still live with my parents in São Paulo. Because of the proximity to the university and for financial reasons. This is how most Brazilian students live.
UNIGLOBALE: How did you come into contact with Germany?
In 2009 I was here as an exchange student and attended a German high school. That was my first experience with the language. Since then I have tried to stick with learning German and improve myself.
UNIGLOBALE: What do you like about your German university and what don't you like?
The theory is taught at a fairly high level at German universities. What I miss, however, is the practical application. In Brazil, for example, graduates have: B. the opportunity to develop your own research project. We call this 'Iniciação Científi ca' ('Introduction to Science'). You can freely choose the topic and you can apply for government subsidies. A great opportunity to test theoretical concepts in practice.
UNIGLOBALE: What are your career aspirations?
Later I would like to work for the government, e.g. B. in the area of legal changes. I am very interested in issues such as women's rights and equality - very important issues, especially in Brazil. My stay abroad here in Germany is therefore not only culturally but also academically enriching. Because Germany plays an important international role in the field of political and constitutional sciences.
UNIGLOBALE: How do you feel about the World Cup?
I'm a football fan, but I view the World Cup with a lot of criticism. I think because of the many protests and strikes
and social movements, it is obvious to the whole world how dissatisfied Brazilians are with this mega event and FIFA. Thousands of people were driven from their homes. Corruption and imbalances in areas such as education, health and transport receive little attention, but are much higher on the agenda for Brazilians. I will cheer for Brazil and the Brazilian team. But the problems my country is struggling with – also as a result of the World Cup – unfortunately cannot be solved by success on the pitch.
PEDRO
Pedro Capra Vieira is 33 years old and a doctoral student in political science at UNICAMP – Universidade Estadual de Campinas (in the state of São Paulo).
UNIGLOBALE: Why are you doing your doctorate at UNICAMP?
Because it is one of the best universities in Latin America. The Institute for Political Science is also excellent and employs experts who, like me, research the topics of participation and democracy.
UNIGLOBALE: Did you also study abroad?
Yes, I did my master's degree in Portugal, I spent three months doing research in the USA and immediately after my studies I lived in Ireland.
UNIGLOBALE: How do you finance your studies in Brazil?
Myself: through a scholarship from the Brazilian government and through working as a consultant in the private sector. There are really a variety of scholarships here that you can apply for. Of course, many students also work in bars or shops.
UNIGLOBALE: Are there also German students at your institute?
Not that, but we have a German professor! There are a few foreign students. Five alone in my PhD student
Program.
UNIGLOBALE: What keywords come to mind when you think of Germany?
Quality, commitment, open-mindedness, Berlin – a modern city.
UNIGLOBALE: What is your dream job?
Researcher and professor at a university. I would also like to work as an expert in development policy. But not as a main job. Perhaps as a specialist who helps solve problems in the field of democracy.
UNIGLOBALE: How do you feel about the World Cup?
I'm not a big football fan. I'm from Rio de Janeiro and I support Flamengo, the biggest football club in the city. But that's where it ends. I am critical of the World Cup. But I think that although many Brazilians do not approve of the fact that the state is investing a lot of money in the World Cup and they criticize problems such as real estate prices that are no longer affordable, there are also many of us who love football. Many want to enjoy the World Cup and are proud that Brazil will play the leading role in world football for a while. Of course, the media also has a big influence. They are running a huge image campaign, want to convince Brazilians of their supposed 'civic duties' and thereby help to fuel the myth that Brazil is a football and carnival nation.
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Brazil is much more than just samba, football, caipirinha and Copacabana. The fifth largest country in the world also has a number of excellent universities and is linked to Germany in many ways in terms of educational policy. Here are a few tips for your semester abroad in this fascinating part of South America. Higher education landscape – Brazil has around 200 free public universities. Form the majority
