Belo Horizonte: Brazil in the 21st Century: A Comparative Study of the Development of a Globalizing Nation: The FIFA World Cup, Olympics, Oil Reserves, and the Global Context of the Portuguese Language (Closed)

Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Program Website Type:   |  Minimum GPA:
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Dates
  • Summer 1 Semester - Semester - May 05, 2013 – June 08, 2013

Application Deadline
  • Summer 1 Semester - 11/15/12 – some programs may remain open until 12/20/12

Description

Faculty Leaders: Tom Vicino (t.vicino@neu.edu) and Simone Elias (s.elias@neu.edu)

Study Abroad Coordinator: Colleen Boyle (c.boyle@neu.edu)

Summer I 2012

Courses: POLS4937 Government and Politics: Learning Abroad & PORT1301/1302/2301/2302/3301/3302/Directed Study

Description:

This faculty-led program offers students immersion into some of the world’s most dynamic, diverse and growing cities in Brazil: Belo Horizonte, also known as the Garden City and Brazil’s third largest city. You also will have the opportunity to visit other cities in Brazil.

This academic program offers students immersion into one of the world’s most dynamic, diverse, and growing populations of Brazil. The program is hosted by two well-respected institutions: 1) the top-ranked UNA University and 2) the Cultural Institute Brazil United States (ICBEU). The host university, UNA University, is a vibrant and innovative institution of higher education and is considered the best private university center in the state of Minas Gerais. Students will relate well to UNA University as it shares a similar profile to that Northeastern University, which aims to prepare students for life-long learning in a global marketplace.

Students will participate in two classes at ICBEU’s and UNA’s centrally located campuses around the Savassi district of Belo Horizonte, which provides quick access to many historical and cultural points of the city. Students will study the global context of the Portuguese language. Also, students will study the social, economic, and political dimensions of the urbanization of Brazil’s first planned city, Belo Horizonte—a large city of 2.5 million residents in a metropolitan region of nearly 6 million. With an urban plan inspired by L’enfant’s Washington, DC, Belo Horizonte boasts large promenades lined with some of the most arresting architecture in South America. This urbanization has attracted some of the leading technology companies in the world, like Google and Fiat as well as hosting the FIFA World Cup. Participants in the Dialogue will have an opportunity to meet and exchanges ideas with leading government officials, policymakers, economic developers, industrial giants, and cultural experts.

The cultural immersion is furthered through academic exchange with students at UNA University. The academic program will be complemented by numerous guided excursions, including an excursion to historical Ouro Preto, Tiradentes and other important satellite cities in Brazil, in which students will have the opportunity to compare and contrast the facets of a planned city such as Belo Horizonte, a historical city of gold such as Ouro Preto to the fascinating urban spaces. Students will also engage in lectures, and field visits with scholarly authorities and local leaders.

At the end of the program, students will have had the opportunity to interact and exchange ideas with people from many diverse backgrounds, and thus gain exposure to a wide spectrum of Brazilian society and Brazil’s place in the global community. Ultimately, students will return home with a new knowledge of the how the “old” and “new” Brazil compare and contrast. Students will reflect on the new global directions of Brazil. The course introduces students to the dimensions of globalization, and its influences on the Brazil we know today. Students will learn about how Belo Horizonte grew as a planned urban center and industrial and technological hub. They will also learn several aspects of business and economy related to the new economic developments in Brazil. Visits to institutions, organizations and dialogues with locals and leaders will give the students the opportunity to evaluate the influences, developments, and perspectives for a global Brazil in the 21st century. The language tool and the knowledge of the politics of globalization will set the context for this learning experience.

Courses
  • Portuguese Language Immersion (PORT 1301 or 1302 or 2301 or 2302 or 3301 or 3302 or Directed Study): This intensive immersion in Portuguese will focus on the communicative and humanistic approaches to use the language in situations simulating day-to-day life. The skills of listening, speaking, writing, and reading will be integrated in such a manner as to ensure communication. The aim is to enable the student to improve his/her communication skills in everyday situations, understand both spoken and written language, through systematic acquisition of the necessary grammar, and develop the ability to speak and use the language with confidence. Students will attend daily intensive language classes each weekday morning, which are supplemented by the linguistic and cultural immersion experience. Students use the same curriculum and syllabi as the Northeastern University Portuguese Program.
  • Government and Politics—Learning Abroad (POLS 4937). Examines government and politics in Brazil through faculty-led travel. The course offers students an opportunity to enhance their knowledge of government and politics by attending and participating in various educational activities in the country of study. The course begins in the United States with an introduction to the country or region and concludes with activities that facilitate reflection and learning related to the experience abroad. The course introduces students to the dimensions of globalization, and its influences on the Brazil we know today. Students will learn about how Belo Horizonte grew as a planned urban center and industrial and technological hub. They will also learn several aspects of business and economy related to the new economic developments in Brazil. Visits to institutions, organizations and dialogues with locals and leaders will give the students the opportunity to evaluate the influences, developments, and perspectives for a global Brazil in the 21st century. The language tool and the knowledge of the politics of globalization will set the context for this learning experience.

Host University

The program is hosted by two well-respected institutions: 1) the top-ranked UNA University and 2) the Cultural Institute Brazil United States (ICBEU). The host university, UNA University, is a vibrant and innovative institution of higher education and is considered the best private university center in the state of Minas Gerais. Students will relate well to UNA University as it shares a similar profile to that Northeastern University, which aims to prepare students for life-long learning in a global marketplace.

Eligibility Requirements

The program is open to students of ANY major. GPA 2.5 is required. Students may waive the course prerequisite with the permission of the instructors upon previously demonstrated preparation (e.g., similar coursework or related co-op experience). Also, in-person interviews are required for all applicants with Prof. Elias and Prof. Vicino.

Application Procedure
    • Online Dialogue of Civilizations application (available on OISP website)
    • Unofficial transcript which you can download and print from MyNEU
    • One copy of passport ID page – To be given directly to your faculty leader after acceptance.
    • 2-3 page essay answering the following questions:
    1. What are your personal and academic reasons for wishing to participate in this Dialogue of Civilizations program?
    2. How will the program further your academic and career goals?
    3. What is your previous travel and language experience, if any?
    4. What courses have you taken which are directly relevant to the program?

    **Faculty may require additional information and/or interview (after application deadline)

    **Please note that prior to 11/15/12 your unofficial transcript and essay should be handed in to OISP.  After 11/15/12, please send them directly to your faculty leader

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Cost

Tuition: $9,830

DOC Fee: $2,500

Tuition and DOC Fee cover 8 Northeastern credits, round-trip airfare from Boston, housing for program duration, International SOS assistance, as well as some local transport, excursions and group meals.

Accommodations

Hotels

 

Destination

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J4rHwg0V7o

The program is based in Belo Horizonte and  will also visit Rio de Janeiro. Belo Horizonte was the first of Brazil's planned city and is arguably the most successful, having managed to become the country’s third-largest city while remaining almost completely unknown to the outside world, attracting multinationals such as Google. Belo Horizonte has been confirmed as one of the world cup host cities and will be the stage of six 2014 FIFA World Cup matches. Belo Horizonte (or simply "BH" (beh-ah-GAH) to locals) is also known as the Garden City, is about only  250 miles of Rio de Janeiro.  Home to 2.5 million people, the city has a pronounced sense of community and family that students find inviting. Belo Horizonte is also the confirmed Confederations Cup host city, event which is considered a dress-rehearsal of the world Cup, to be held in 2013. It has also played an outstanding role as a center of excellence in medicine, biotechnology and information technology and has become a popular venue for national and international events. Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro are cities of multiple facets, which are shown in their natural beauty, the diversity of people that walk along the streets, and five centuries of history. From the beach to the forest and the mountains, from the rural tranquility to the urban hustle and bustle and historical areas, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte are undoubtedly two of the most original cities in Brazil