Program Provider: Council on International Education and Exchange (CIEE)

Program Site: CIEE center, the Universidade Católica do Salvador campus and the Universidade Federal da Bahia campus 

Duration: Fall, Spring or Year. Fall semester runs from mid June to mid December; Spring semester runs from early January to late July. 

Description: Located on the Atlantic coast in northeastern Brazil, Salvador da Bahia is a booming city with 2.1 million inhabitants. Due to the strong slave presence during the Colonial period, the city has a strong African influence, including religious and spiritual practices, cuisine, and ethnic dynamics.  

Each year CIEE welcomes about 75 American students to its center located near Pelourinho, the historic center of the city. Students also have the opportunity to take classes with locals at the Universidade Católica do Salvador, the highest ranking private university in northeast Brazil, and the Universidade Federal da Bahia, one of Brazil’s top ten universities. 

Academics: The semester begins with a five-week Intensive Language and Culture Program (ILCP), held in Salvador da Bahia in the spring and São Paolo in the fall. After the ILCP, students take at least two courses at the CIEE center, one of which must be Portuguese Language. Remaining courses are chosen from those offered by the Universidade Católica do Salvador and/or CIEE.  All courses are taught in Portuguese, and students commit to speaking Portuguese at all times while at the CIEE center. 

Sample CIEE courses:

-          Race and Class in a Multicultural Society

-          Brazilian Cultural & Artistic Manifestations

-          Culture and Society: Brazil and Bahia

Sample Universidade Católica do Salvador courses:

-          Brazilian Economy

-          Brazilian and Sacred Art

        -          Radio, Television and Cinema
             
Course load and Credit: Students take 4 to 5 courses per semester and can earn a maximum of 20 USC units per semester or 36 USC units for the academic year.

Accommodations: Brazilian homestay; two meals per day are provided.

Activities and Other Program Features: Program activities include visits to a marine biology nature reserve, the museum of African history, plays, local performances and music festivals. There is also a trip to Porto Seguro, the birthplace of Brazil; spring semester students may participate in Carnaval festivities.

Eligibility: Minimum 3.0 GPA and two semesters of college-level Portuguese or four semesters of college-level Spanish (or the equivalent).
 

Estimated Semester Cost:
Tuition……………………………………$11,555
Additional Expenses*…………………$8,612
Total………………………………………$20,167

 

Cost Updated: 6/10/08

Text Updated: 8/19/08

*Additional expenses include estimated costs for airfare, room and board, books and supplies, health insurance, and personal expenses (which can vary greatly from student to student). USC financial aid, scholarships, and tuition remission may be applied to program costs. Please visit the Office of Overseas Studies for more detailed cost information.

 

Links:

CIEE, Salvador da Bahia

Brazilian Consulate in Los Angeles

Salvador da Bahia Tourist Information

Lonely Planet Brazil

Lonely Planet Salvador da Bahia