Study in Brazil
Discover study abroad opportunities in Brazil with YFU. Immerse yourself in Brazilian culture and education. Enroll now for a transformative experience!
Study in Brazil
From the samba-filled streets and sun-drenched beaches of Rio de Janeiro to the intricate web of rivers and jungles of the Amazon, there's always something new to explore in beautiful Brazil!
“YFU and Toyota Manufacturing blessed me, a small town girl from eastern Kentucky, with a rare opportunity to travel to and actually live in a foreign country. During that brief summer abroad, I tried new food dishes, exchanged ideas and opinions with my amazing host family, and explored new cities. The YFU program is much more than just an international trip...it is a chance to grow as person and can provide a springboard for future opportunities!”
- Jordan
+ Experience the Brazilian Culture
Olá! Get a taste of Brazilian culture by exploring the samba-filled streets of Rio de Janeiro and the sun-drenched beaches of Copacabana. Brazil will not disappoint you with its diverse geography and unique traditions.
You'll live like a Brazilian, gathering with your host family for meals and enjoying dishes like churrasco or feijoada. Along with the famous Carnival, you will experience diverse music and dancing scenes, as well as futebol (soccer), the national pastime of Brazil. You will also enjoy other fun activities such as boating, volleyball, and basketball. More relaxing pastimes include going to the beach, swimming in sparkling pools and waterfalls, or simply hanging out in a café and chatting with friends. In addition to all the fun you will be having, the exceptional quality and constant improvement of Brazilian education will challenge you academically.
No matter your interests, your exchange in Brazil will prove to be the adventure of a lifetime!
+ Living With a Host Family in Brazil
Living with a host family in Brazil offers a unique and immersive way to experience Brazilian culture and lifestyle from a local perspective. As a foreign student participating in an exchange program, you’ll have the opportunity to become part of a Brazilian family, sharing meals, participating in daily activities, and learning Portuguese.
Cultural Integration
![Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/56167d1de4b0141a0f9a9378/a512c388-58fb-4e54-a84d-9addf252087f/unnamed+%285%29.jpg?content-type=image%2Fjpeg")
Brazilian families are typically warm and welcoming, viewing hospitality as an essential aspect of their culture. You'll be integrated into family life, which often includes large, extended family gatherings, especially on weekends and holidays. This is an excellent opportunity to experience the Brazilian way of celebrating life, where music, dance, and food play central roles.
Educational and Social Life
![Iguazu Falls, Brazil.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/56167d1de4b0141a0f9a9378/2156cd6e-8f52-4f7e-bb4d-15eaecec274d/unnamed+%286%29.jpg?content-type=image%2Fjpeg")
As a student, you'll attend school alongside your host siblings or family members, which provides another layer of cultural immersion. Schools in Brazil often have a vibrant social atmosphere, and participation in extracurricular activities such as sports or music is encouraged.
Festivals and Celebrations
Participating in local festivals and celebrations with your host family is a highlight of the exchange experience. Festivals such as Carnival offer a firsthand experience of Brazil’s famous parade floats, costumes, and samba music. Smaller local festivals may revolve around holidays or local traditions, providing a deeper understanding of the community’s cultural heritage.
+ Scholarships Available
To learn more, please visit our Scholarships Page to find details on the following scholarships eligible for Brazil:
Holcomb & Farnell Foreign Study Fund
YFU Legacy Grant
YFU Financial Aid Fund
Jason Pollington Latin American Scholarship
Karla Topolka Scholarship Fund
Passport to Equity
+ Application Deadline
Applications for tuition based programs must be submitted by October 1 for winter/spring departure programs and April 15 for summer and fall. Applications submitted after this date will be considered on a case by case basis depending upon availability.
+ Additional Information
Visa Information
Information regarding visas and other immigration processes will be provided upon enrollment. To learn more, visit the Embassy of Brazil website.
Additional Costs
Students are responsible for covering all costs associated with obtaining a visa and/or residence permit. Students will have to pay a fee to register with the Federal Police upon arrival. Students must also cover the cost of textbooks and a school uniform if necessary. Program tuition does not include personal spending money.
Important Information
YFU Brazil cannot guarantee that students will be able to obtain a report card or transcript from their local Brazilian high school. However, the schools should at least be able to provide a letter certifying attendance.
Choose Your Program to Study Abroad in Brazil
+ Academic Year Programs
YFU students can choose to begin their year-long exchange program in either January or August. During your time in Brazil, you will live with a host family and attend a local high school. Brazil is a large and diverse country and while YFU students may be placed anywhere in the country, all students are sure to expect warm and welcoming host families. Part of your experience will be:
School
You'll find that your school in Brazil will be academically challenging, but also a great place to make friends! Because Brazil is in the southern hemisphere, school begins in February and goes until the following January. Students starting their program in August will begin at the second semester mark. Students enrolled in a private school may be required to pay an additional enrollment fee. YFU will contact the student and natural parents prior to enrolling a student in a private high school with tuition.
Orientations
All students applying for the year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation, which usually takes place in mid-July (or early December for Spring programs). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.
Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place online dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.
While in Brazil, students will have an arrival orientation, mid-year orientation, and at the end of the program, students come together for a re-entry orientation to reflect on their experiences. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.
Extracurriculars
As high schools in Brazil do not typically offer extracurriculars, students are encouraged to join private institutions that offer courses such as languages, sports, karate, aerobics, musical instruments, drama, etc.
Optional Excursions
Year program students will usually have the option of participating in a number of educational trips and excursions during their stay, at an additional cost.
** Cultural Trip:** A few trips may be arranged by a travel agency that specializes in excursions for exchange students and have included tours of Pantanal and Bonito, the Northeast coast, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, Iguaçu Falls, southern Brazil, and the Amazon. Each trip varies in cost, depending on the distance and length of the trip, and requires your host family's permission, but most are generally offered during school holidays. All will offer you the opportunity to see a unique and different part of Brazil from your homestay location, enriching your experience and offering a deeper understanding of the country. More information about these trips will be provided upon arrival in Brazil.
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Spring Year | Late January | Early January | $13,995 |
| 2025 Fall Year | Mid August | Early July | $13,995 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a host family
- Enrollment in a local Brazilian high school (excluding summer students)
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a YFU Brazil Area Representative while on program
- Comprehensive insurance
Age Requirement
- 2025 Fall Departures: Students born November 30, 2007 - August 1, 2010.
- 2025 Spring Departures: Students born January 28, 2007 - June 30, 2010.
- Students who do not meet this age requirement will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
Language
Portuguese. Previous language study is not required.
Host Family Placement
YFU host families may be anywhere in the country, in small towns, rural, or suburban areas. Students are rarely placed in large urban centers.
+ Semester Programs
YFU students can choose to begin their semester exchange program in either January or August. During your time in Brazil, you will live with a host family and attend a local high school. Brazil is a large and diverse country and while YFU students may be placed anywhere in the country, all students are sure to expect warm and welcoming host families. Part of your experience will be:
School
You'll find that your school in Brazil will be academically challenging, but also a great place to make friends! Because Brazil is in the southern hemisphere, school begins in February and goes until the following January. Students starting their program in August will begin at the second semester mark. Students enrolled in a private school may be require to pay an additional enrollment fee. YFU will contact the student and natural parents prior to enrolling a student in a private high school with tuition.
Orientations
All students applying for the year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation, which usually takes place in mid-July (or early December for Spring programs). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.
Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place online dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.
While in Brazil, students will have an arrival orientation, mid-year orientation, and at the end of the program, students come together for a re-entry orientation to reflect on their experiences. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.
Extracurriculars
As high schools in Brazil do not typically offer extracurriculars, students are encouraged to join private institutions that offer courses such as languages, sports, karate, aerobics, musical instruments, drama, etc.
Optional Excursions
Year program students will usually have the option of participating in a number of educational trips and excursions during their stay, at an additional cost.
** Cultural Trip:** A few trips may be arranged by a travel agency that specializes in excursions for exchange students and have included tours of Pantanal and Bonito, the Northeast coast, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, Iguaçu Falls, southern Brazil, and the Amazon. Each trip varies in cost, depending on the distance and length of the trip, and requires your host family's permission, but most are generally offered during school holidays. All will offer you the opportunity to see a unique and different part of Brazil from your homestay location, enriching your experience and offering a deeper understanding of the country. More information about these trips will be provided upon arrival in Brazil.
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Spring Semester | Late January | Late June | $12,095 |
| 2025 Fall Semester | Early August | Early January | $13,095 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a host family
- Enrollment in a local Brazilian high school (excluding summer students)
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a YFU Brazil Area Representative while on program
- Comprehensive insurance
Age Requirement
- 2025 Fall Departures: Students born November 30, 2007 - August 1, 2010.
- 2025 Spring Departures: Students born January 28, 2007 - June 30, 2010.
- Students who do not meet this age requirement will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
Language
Portuguese. Previous language study is not required.
Host Family Placement
YFU host families may be anywhere in the country, in small towns, rural, or suburban areas. Students are rarely placed in large urban centers.