Program Dates:
January 13 - May 4, 2013
Spring Break week break for Carnival in February!
LOCATION: Curitiba, Brazil
PROGRAM FEE:
$7,565 - Homestay
$7,905 - Hostel
The program fee includes tuition, housing and program expenses. See below for full details.
International airfare and personal expenses are not included in the Program Fee and are the responsibility of the student.
ELIGIBILITY: This program is open to all George Mason University students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher and 45 credit hours completed by the start of the program.
15 UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS: 9 internship credits and 6 credits for Portuguese language (PORT 110). Higher levels of Portuguese language possible for students who have already taken PORT 110 or the equivalent.
In the past, students have earned internship credit for the following:
NCLC 490, GLOA 495, GOVT 480, ENGL 498, HIST 399, ECON 498 and More! You may be able to earn internship credits in your major.
HOUSING: Homestays with a Brazilian family or Shared Hostel accommodations.
CONTACT: Gregory Seiler via email by clicking on his name or call him right now at 703.993.2641
APPLICATION FEE: $125
APPLY BY: October 5, 2012 for Spring 2013 semester
CLICK HERE to apply for the Semester Brazil internship
Faculty Information:
Housing:
Partner Organizations:
Spend your semester in beautiful Curitiba, Brazil interning in the fields of international business, environmental studies, government, global affairs, and many more. In your cover letter, please discuss the type of internship which would interest you the most. All participants are guaranteed an internship placement and will earn 15 credits for their semester in Brazil.
GMU Brazil intern, fall 2011

GMU Brazil Interns exploring on the weekends, summer 2012

GMU interns arrive to Curitiba, summer 2012

Brazil interns at a churrascaria, spring 2012
IMPORTANT DATES:
Application Deadline: October 5, 2012
Arrival date: January 13, 2013
Departure date: May 4, 2013*
Portuguese Course: January 14th to 25th*
Internship Dates: January 28th to May 3rd, 2013*
One week break for Carnival in February!
What's Included: The program fee includes 15 credits tuition, accommodation in homestays or a hostel, breakfast each day (dinner also included with the homestay option), welcome orientation, full-time in-city support, airport pickup, iNext medical insurance.
International airfare not included.
Past internships have included:
HRAIFA LOGISTICA INTERNACIONAL - Global Affairs student
RZS Consultoria - Urban Planning student
MWORK SISTEMAS - Information Technology student
TWS COMEX - Economics student
Lide Multimídia - Communications student
IPARDES - Economics student
Serviço Social da Indústria - SESI / CIFAL - Business and Global Affairs students
ASSOCIAÇÃO JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT PARANÁ - Global Affairs and Conflict Analysis students
Instituto LIFE -Biology and Environmental Conservation students
American Chamber of Commerce for Brazil - Amcham Brasil - Global Affairs student
Hardt Planejamento S/S LTDA - Urban Planning student
Valuconcept Consultoria e Avaliações LTDA - Global Affairs student
Instituto de Tecnologia para o Desenvolvimento – LACTEC - Information Technology student
ACAL Consultoria e Auditoria S/S - Economics studentTORO AGENTES AUTONOMOS DE INVESTIMENTOS LTDA ME - Economics student
Gainholder Comercial Ltda - Business student
FEDERAÇÃO DAS INDÚSTRIAS DO ESTADO DO PARANÁ - FIEP (CIN) - Global Affairs student
...Plus MANY other options in economics, business, government, global affairs, environmental conservation, non-profits, IT, urban planning and other fields. Students are placed based on their academic background and professional interests.
Jardim Botânico de Curitiba and the city skyline. Photo by José Vladimir.
Q: What do I need to apply?
Online application and $125 application fee
https://chnm.gmu.edu/globaled/application.php
Submit all supplemental materials: 1 passport size photo, Electronic Resume, Electronic Cover Letter discussing your motivations for the internship, your academic and professional goals and why Brazil interests you, 1 letter of recommendation (academic or professional), Official Transcripts from home university (unofficial okay for GMU students), copy of front and back of health insurance card, copy of passport, VA tuition form (for non-GMU students only).
Materials can be sent to the CGE office or emailed to gseiler2@gmu.edu.
Q: What are the requirements for acceptance?
Minimum of 45 credit hours completed by the start of Spring 2013 and 2.5 minimum GPA.
Q: What are my chances of being accepted to the program?
Nearly all students who meet the minimum qualifications are accepted to the program.
Q: Do I need Portuguese language experience to apply?
No. Students are not expected to have any Portuguese language skills prior to the start of the program.
Q: What is the process for be placed in an internship?
Program participants are placed in an internship after acceptance to the program. Participant resumes and cover letters are forwarded to potential host employers for selection. The placement process can take weeks to months, however every participant is guaranteed an internship.
Q: Do I get to choose the company and placement?
You are placed in an internship based on your academic background, personal interest, and professional experience, however you cannot choose the exact company. A placement is guaranteed and your background is used to place you in the position. All efforts are made to place you in a position most related to your field.
Q: How can I earn internship credits in my major?
To earn internship credits in your major, you must first speak with your department’s internship coordinator or your academic advisor. If you fit the department’s requirements to earn credit, the CGE will work with you to obtain your preferred credit. If you are not eligible to earn credit in your major, you can still earn the same amount of credit with the program’s default credit options.
Q: Do I need a visa?
Yes, you’ll be required to apply for your Brazilian student visa independently and the cost is not included in the program fee. CGE will provide some guidance with the visa process.
Q: What is the schedule like?
The first two weeks of the program will be an intensive Portuguese language experience. The following months will be 5 days of internship with class once a day before or after your internship.
Working hours vary depending on the workplace. Just as with any job, the field and specific sites have different requirements. You should expect to work a full schedule each week.
Q: Where do I live while in Brazil?
Participant housing is with homestay families in Curitiba, Brazil or with other students in a hostel centrally located in the city. Read more about the two options before you make your deicison. You cannot change your decision once you are placed.
*CGE reserves the right to make changes to a program in light of currency fluctuations, changing security and safety conditions, or any other unforeseen circumstances.

