FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions Page

The City of Rio de Janeiro

• In simple terms, Rio de Janeiro is absolutely beautiful. It is certainly one of the most visually impressive places on earth. It has beautiful beaches with white sand, blue skys, green forests, and great impressive mountains.
• The Cariocas, as the people of Rio are known, come in all colors and sizes. The Cariocas are known for their laid-back, easy-going behavior and friendliness.
• Rio is a very big city, with over 8 million inhabitants. For the most part, we will stay in the center and Southern area (called Zona Sul), the better part of Rio that is internationally known and where the beaches are.

Weather

• When it's summer in the US, it's winter in Brazil. The good news is that Rio has nice weather almost all year round. A light jacket should be taken. If you intend to extent your travel to other cities in the South, be aware that it can get cold and most Brazilian homes don't have central heating.
• It can rain in Rio, but it usually is not a problem. For the most part, the temperature and climate of Rio is great. The beaches are crowded even in the winter.

Accommodations and Clothes

• Summer Program participants will live the historic Santa Tereza district, just minutes from downtown Rio. These will be "bed and breakfast" short-term rentals in the homes of Brazilian families.
• Classes will be held in nearby Flamengo, so there will be a short travel from homes to the slass site, either by trolly, bus, or subway (called the Metro).
• Participants will have the traditional Brazilian breakfast (basically a "continental" breakfast) at their houses and then will have an additional daily meal included in the program.
• As stated, at least a light jacket is recommended. Dress is Rio is very casual and shorts are very common for both sexes. A few sets of nicer clothes are needed for social activities and special events.
• Items for personal hygiene are easily and cheaply available in Brazil. Most medicines and even prescription drugs are sold at drugstores everywhere.

Classes and daily schedules

• Yes, we are enrolling at all levels: Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Conversation classes, as well as classes dedicated to aspects of Brazilian.
• Knowledge of Spanish is not a prerequisite in the beginning class. It does, however, help. Beginning classes will be taught by Anamaria Teixeira, a lady with 10 years experience and a very good professor. She uses music to teach so it will make the class interesting.
• Classes will be held daily, from 9am to 1pm, Monday thru Thursday.
• Students are expected to attend all classes, and to arrive on time. Unjustified absences will resultyt in disciplinary action and /or loss of grade level.
• The following textbooks and class materials will be used: (to be listed)..
• Afternoons may be used for visits to museums, local cultural attractions and other points points. Some evenings will also be used to go to musical shows and theatre presentations. All students are expected to be present in these visits.
• Weekends will be used for special excursions.
• There will be free time for the students to pursue their own interests, both during weekdays and weekends.

Food and Shoppings

• Rio is a very cosmopolitan city, and anything that Phoenix has, Rio has even more of. You will find a full range of restaurants and shopping extablishments, including American 'fast food' shops. American credit cards are accepted.
• Food should be no problem. For the most part, Brazilian food is somewhat similar to that common to the US, but often better and less expensive. Prepare yourself for a visit or two to a "rodizio".

Safety

• As in any big city in the world, a person must be careful in Rio, and know where to go and when. A little good sense usually takes care of everything.
• A person should always avoid behaviors that could cause trouble. Carry only small amounts of cash. Leave the gold rings and Rolex's at home.

Free time

• There will be free time for a person to use as he/she wants, usually in the afternoon. The only requirement is to let the Coordinator known what you are doing.
• Some weekends may also be free for the student to explore.

Trips and excursions

• The Program will make some trips to nearby cities and beaches, to take advantage of the weekend.
• Trips are scheduled to the internationally know resort of Buzios, to Petropolis (the Royal city in the mountains above Rio) and to the beaches south of Rio, either Itacuruca or Ilha Grande.

Traffic and local travel

• The traffic in Rio de Janeiro is somewhat chaotic. We ask all participants to exercise caution when crossing streets and avenues. Cars may or may not stop at red lights and stop signs.
• For the most part, we will travel by bus and subway. Taxis are reasonably priced and collective mini-vans are also an option.

Money - How much is enough?

• There is never enough money. But, however, most of us live on a budget. Breakfast and one meal are provided daily, and program travel expenses are covered the the coordinator, so it is antecipated that only small amounts will be needed for personal expenses.
• We recommend that participants take a minimum of $300 cash, but more is better, of course. Taking a credit card is also a good idea, and we recommend that it be used in banks to withdraw small amounts of local currency, rather then used indiscrimately in commercial establishments.

Airports and Group Travel

• We will recommend a travel agency for those students wishing to go together from Phoenix to Rio de Janeiro. This will simplify things for everybody, specially for pickup and delivery in Rio.
• The name of the agency is (to be determined). When you call - if you call - please identify yourself as being part of the ASU Summer Program group.
• Students are free to make their own travel arrangements, either because of different departure places, a desire to utilize travel credits or to extend their trips before or after to other localities in Brazil.
• All participants are expected to let the Program Director know of their travel arrangements and schedules, so as to faciliate arrival arrangements and accomodations.

Estimated total costs

• The program cost is $2,370. This includes room and board with breakfast, excursions, one additional meal per day, course facilities
• Tuition will cost an additional $207 per credit. That is the undergraduate, resident rate. A student may take from 1 to 6 credits, depending on the course(s).
• Airfare varies, but will probably cost between $700 and $800 plus fees, depending on where you are flying from.
• The visa from the Brazilian Consulate costs $110.
• We recommend a minimum of $300 spending money, for personal expenses.
• Adding these numbers up, and considering 3 credits, the cost for the six week Brazil program come to at least $4,200 total - not cheap but a good investment in education and culture. This is a very competitive price, as compared to other summer programs offered at ASU or by other Universities.
• A link to a page about financial aid can be found below...

Other Stuff ...

• We recommend that everybody make a photocopy of their passport and plane tickets, in case these are lost. You may leave these with the Program Director.
• There will probably be at least one fundraising dinner in February to help all students. It will be a traditional Brazilian dish called “feijoada” (black beans, meat, sausage, bacon) with rice, salad, chicken, etc.
• We will provide emergency telephone numbers and contact informations that students can give to their families.
• Internet facilities will be available for students to maintain contact. Usually this will be from Internet Cafe establishments.

More info...