International Studies Partnerships

Fairfield University students can now study in Brazil
Fairfield University in coordination with the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) of the Department of Education is now offering a study abroad opportunity in Brazil! Fairfield has recently entered a consortium of universities including Washington and Lee University in Virginia, Universidade do Amazonas in Amazonas, Brazil and Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fairfield students are now eligible to study at our partner institutions, participate in all university sponsored events and benefit from the expertise of well recognized faculty abroad. Each Fairfield student studying in Brazil will work closely with our hosts, Professor Alexandre Rivas, UA and Professor Carlos Rezende, UNF.

Study the unique environment and culture
The jointly developed curriculum focuses on environmental studies and/or sciences with supporting experiences through faculty led field trips, internships, travel and independent study. Each student will have the opportunity to explore the Amazon forest, Amazon river region and the beautiful Brazilian coasts through visits with each host institution. Other potential study and travel opportunities include the endangered Pantanal wetlands region, the southern highlands including the famous Iguacu falls and numerous culture-rich cities, Salvador, Ouro Preto or Paraty, to name just a few. Students participating in the program will study one full semester at a Brazilian partner institution and receive Fairfield credit for their course work. A variety of courses are offered at each university and could possibly count for credit toward a student's major, minor or core curriculum requirements.

Portuguese
In order to prepare students for this unique and challenging experience, Fairfield is offering introductory Portuguese during the spring term of each year prior to the term of travel, the following Fall semester. Our Portuguese instruction team is native Brazilian with several years experience teaching Portuguese in the United States. Brazilian exchange students will also be on campus each spring to interact with our students and prepare them for the new culture and lifestyle. In addition to the formal language training on campus, the students will travel to Brazil a few weeks before the fall semester is to begin to take an intensive Portuguese language course with language professors at their host institution.

Financing
Fairfield University students would pay usual Fairfield tuition fees and would be expected to contribute as much as they normally would for a semester's worth of room and board. The FIPSE grant provides for additional funds specifically for student mobility. Each student would be eligible to receive up to $3000 scholarship monies for additional in-country travel or to defer costs of airfare, ground transportation, accommodations or food.

Summer
Fairfield University in conjunction with Washington and Lee University and the University of Virginia is currently formulating a 4 week, 6 credit study abroad at the University of Amazonas in Manaus, Brazil. Students will take 2 three credit courses of their choice, taught by either US professors with several years of experience of research in Brazil or Brazilian professors. All courses will be taught in English. Students will have the option of taking an additional course in Portuguese while in country.

Students seeking additional information may contact Dr. Dina Franceschi