1. 1 Why BRAZIL?

2. 2 What ’ s special about BRAZIL It ’ s South America, but not exactly: The Atlantic Ocean The Portuguese+Native+African culture The Portuguese language The promising economy The diversity of local cultures: food, music, folklore … The internationally admired culture: music (Villa Lobos, Tom Jobim - Bossa Nova), movies (Central Station), literature (Paulo Coelho), photography (Sebastião Salgado), painting (Portinari). etc … and, of course, soccer, carnival, coffee, beaches …

3. 3 What ’ s unique about the Brazilian subjective culture Diversity Tolerance Personal relationships Flexibility Informality Joy

4. 4 Education in BRAZIL Doctoral Degree 4 years Masters Degree 2 years Undergraduate Degree 3 to 5 years Basic Education 11 years 7 to 17 y/o Literacy: 1 year – 6 y/o University entrance exam 

5. 5 Higher Education in BRAZIL Language of instruction: Portuguese Types of institutions: Public (Federal, State) – 20% Private (For profit, not for profit, philanthropic) – 80% Faculty (Faculdade) – only one area of study; undergraduate University Centre (Centro Universit á rio) – few areas of study; undergraduate University (Universidade) – graduate studies & research

6. 6 Higher Education in BRAZIL Undergraduate Degrees: mainly professional Calendar: academic year = calendar year 1st Term: midFebruary/March – midJuly 2nd Term: August - midDecember Academic system: academic credits OR serial Grading system: 0 (zero) to 10 (ten) Minimum passing grade: 5,0 – up to undergraduate 6,0 – graduate 8,0 is considered a good grade in general

7. 7 Why Rio de Janeiro?

8. 8 What ’ s special about Rio de Janeiro It ’ s Brazil, but not only: The intense metropolitan life The rich cultural agenda, both popular and classical The unique status of being home of the most important cultural manifestations in the country (music, cinema, theatre, TV, fashion, etc) The gathering of research centers and universities of excellence The joyful informal life of a city by the sea

9. 9 … PUC-Rio? And why…

10. 10 PUC-Rio ’ s ID Not for profit Philanthropic (30% students under waiver of fees) Non doctrinal, welcomes people of all religions Dedicated to undergraduate & graduate studies and research Excellence mainly in Science & Technology 5 Double Degree programs – in Engineering and Business

11. 11 What ’ s special about PUC-Rio 1st private university in Brazil; Only private research university in Brazil; 1st Brazilian University to: - adopt the academic credit system - create a Computer Science course and department - have a mainframe computer installed - award an MA degree - teach Portuguese as a second language - offer accredited graduate courses in a varied number of areas; 1 st internet provider in Brazil; Only private university ranked (5 th ) among the 20 best universities in Brazil by the Student Guide; Highly ranked (6 th ) in the Ministry of Education´s evaluation of undergraduate courses; Highly ranked in the CAPES´ evaluation of graduate courses (best average among all courses ’ grades); Present number of students: undergraduate: 11,044 postgraduate: 2,069 certificate: 2,258 extension: 2,883 TOTAL: 18,254

12. 12 Special activities for int ’ l students Family housing Cell phone rental Assistance throughout the academic term – personal & academic Security plan Free first aid attendance Field trip Social assistance voluntary work Monthly get-together meetings Convivências Project Psychological assistance End of the term celebration

13. 13 International students ’ academic status Equal to PUC-Rio regular students Access to all facilities and programs Registered as Special Students, thus not limited by prerequisites Allowed to attend ANY regular course, conditioned only to: Own level of study Academic background Portuguese proficiency Space availability Portuguese language: mandatory

14. 14 Portuguese as a Second Language 35 years of experience and excellence: Five levels of proficiency: Portuguese I: Beginner- 90 class-hours, 6 credits Portuguese II: Intermediate I- 90 class-hours, 6 credits Portuguese III: Intermediate III- 90 class-hours, 6 credits Portuguese IV: Advanced I- 60 class-hours, 4 credits Portuguese V: Advanced II- 60 class-hours, 4 credits Pre-term intensive courses: midJan – midFeb // July - 90 class-hours  People who understand and speak Spanish can easily communicate in Portuguese.  Placement test upon arrival

15. 15 The Int ’ l Programs Office Staff Rosa Marina B. MeyerAss. VP Academicdirector@ccci.puc-rio.br Malu ParanhosAssistantmalu@ccci.puc-rio.br Daniel CastroShort Programs Managershortprg@ccci.puc-rio.br Linda Cristina SouzaInt ’ l Students Advisorintlstud@ccci.puc-rio.br Bira SanchezStudent Serviceshousing@ccci.puc-rio.br IsadoraInterninf1ccci@ccci.puc-rio.br Marina AbrahãoStudy Abroad Advisorstabroad@ccci.puc-rio.br Ana SophiaInterninf2ccci@ccci.puc-rio.br Denise CunhaOffice Managerinter@ccci.puc-rio.br KledsonReceptionist RodrigoMessenger DenisIT Supportsupccci@ccci.puc-rio.br

16. 16 Exchange students 1996 – 2004.1 (1st semester) * From all regions of the world: North America, Europe, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Africa. 19961997199819992000200120022003 2004. 1 PUC-Rio Students abroad- regular courses** 23323778525410612952 International students at PUC-Rio - regular courses * 57777387123149231371218 International students at PUC-Rio - intensive courses * 84032334216978069 Total of exchange students per year 88149142198221217434580339 **Including Double Degree Students

17. 17 International students at PUC-Rio: Day 1 Arrival with airport pick up Introduction to host families Day 2 (morning) Orientation Session 1: Brazilian culture & way of life

18. 18 Day 2 (afternoon) Orientation Session 2: Learning your way around

19. 19 Day 3 (morning) Campus tour Get-together lunch

20. 20 Day 3 (afternoon) Orientation session 3: Academics: registration, add/drop, grading, etc Social assistance and scientific special projects Social projects UNICOM NIMA

21. 21 Scientific projects TecGraf Incubator Other activities: sports...... and religious life...

22. 22... and leisure... Just hanging around... and lots of study, of course. At the Central Library

23. 23 Day 4 Portuguese placement test Projeto Convivências start Day 5 Assisted registration at the Federal Police (Immigration)

24. 24 Day 6 Rio de Janeiro city tour

25. 25 Day 7 Free at last - time for a dive at Ipanema beach!