Brazil: Fortaleza

The School for International Training’s (SIT) Brazil Social Justice and Sustainable Development Program is based in Fortaleza, the modern seaside capital of the state of Ceará with a population of over 2 million people. Fortaleza is located in the northeast part of the country, Brazil’s most geographically and culturally diverse region.  While the dominant culture is European in origin, the majority of the Fortaleza's populace is African and indigenous. The program focuses on social movements and issues concerned with urban and rural development, poverty, human rights, and the African Diaspora in northeast Brazil.

Dates

Fall semester: early September to mid-December.  Spring semester: early March to mid-June.

Fields of Study

Brazilian history, arts, anthropology, economic development, politics, religion, sociology, environmental issues, and Portuguese language.

Eligibility

One semester of Portuguese or two semesters of a college-level Romance language other than Portuguese required. 7.5 GPA required. Pomona students are part of a competitive national pool.

Number of Students

3 or more. Total group approximately 15. 

Academic Program

The program begins with one week of orientation in Fortaleza. After the initial orientation, the following components of the academic program begin: Portuguese Intensive Language Study (1.25 PO credits); Social Justice and Sustainable Development Seminar (1.25 PO credits); Field Study Seminar (0.5 PO credits); and an Independent Study Project (ISP) (1.0 PO credit) which is supervised and evaluated by SIT faculty.

The program includes excursions in the state of Ceara, where it focuses on diverse urban and rural communities and compares regional responses to social injustince.

There is no P/NC option on this program.

Living Arrangements

Students live in a variety of accommodations, including homestays and hostels.

Faculty Liaison

Sid Lemelle

Internet Link

http://worldlearning.org/ssa_brr.htm