Study for a Semester or Year in Brazil!
Institution
The University of Fortaleza, due to its educational excellence, has gained growing prestige amongst the institutions of higher education in Brazil since its foundation in 1973. Currently, its 25 thousand students can count on a high skilled academic staff of 1,200 professors, 80% having got master and doctoral titles at important universities in Brazil and around the world – more than the percentage required by the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) of Brazil. While Fortaleza teaches primarily in Portuguese that do offer a select list of courses taught in English.
Location
Fortaleza, Portuguese for Fortress) is the state capital of Ceará, located in Northeastern Brazil. With a population close to 2.55 million (metropolitan region over 3.6 million), Fortaleza is the 5th largest city in Brazil. It is an economic magnet for people from Ceará and beyond as well as a magnet for tourists from Brazil and overseas, who come for the spectacular smaller beach spots, rolling dunes and fishing villages.
Academic Calendar
- Fall Semester: Early August to Early December
- Spring Semester: Early February to Late June
Housing
UNIFOR doesn’t have on-campus accommodations for students. The international office provides some support in assisting students with finding apartments/student houses off-campus; however, students are responsible for arranging their own housing. Most students select apartments either close to campus or close to the beach with an approximate commute of 45 minutes by bus.
Housing costs will not be billed through Appalachian State due to the varied options. Students will submit their housing payment directly to their housing provider.
Financial
Program Costs
Paid to Appalachian State
1The OIED Program Development Fee will be placed on students’ accounts upon acceptance by the Education Abroad Office. The fee payment confirms your spot and is non-refundable.
Estimated Additional Costs
| |
Semester |
Academic Year |
| Airfare |
$1400 - $2000 |
$1400 - $2000 |
| Housing |
$2200 - $2700 |
$4400 - $5400 |
| Meals |
$1300 - $2000 |
$2600 - $4000 |
| 1Personal Expenses |
$800 - $1500 |
$1600 - $3000 |
| Books and Materials |
$150 - $300 |
$300 - $600 |
| Local Transportation |
$200 - $400 |
$400 - $800 |
| Visa (for US Citizens) |
$160 |
$160 |
| Potential Travel Costs to Consulate |
$0 - $300 |
$0 - $300 |
| Passport |
$150 |
$150 |
| 2US Based Health Insurance |
Varies |
Varies |
| 3Personal Travel and Spending |
$800 - $1500 |
$1600 - $3000 |
1Personal expenses includes but is not limited to: toiletries, cell phone, emergency funds, laundry, clothing, utilities, basic travel and entertainment, etc.
2Students are encouraged to maintain a US based health insurance plan while abroad (to exempt out of AppState insurance students must follow the App exemption process - proving that they have insurance coverage for the entirety of the semester.
2Personal Travel and Spending amounts will vary by student and will be affected by how often a student goes out, travels, and the items they purchase.
Please note that non-billable costs are estimates only and will be affected by personal spending habits, currency fluctuations, etc. Prices listed in USD unless otherwise noted.
Students are encouraged to start planning for their study abroad program costs well in advance. Please use the Student Financial Planning Worksheet to help estimate your anticipated expenses and your anticipated financial resources. When planning for estimated additional costs students are encouraged to research currency conversion rates. To see a total of the estimated costs for this program please visit the program budget sheets: Fall, Spring, Academic Year.
Financial Aid
The majority of financial aid and scholarships can apply to semester and year-long study abroad programs. For more information please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid web page.
Scholarships
OIED Scholarships
Each semester OIED offers a variety of different scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $250 to $2000.
Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship
The Gilman Scholarship Program application is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.
Fund for Education Abroad
Applicants from groups underrepresented in study abroad and those destined for non-traditional locations are given preference, in an effort to make the demographics of U.S. undergraduates studying abroad reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. population.
For information about additional scholarships please visit our External Scholarships web page.
Academics
While Fortaleza teaches primarily in Portuguese they do offer a select number of courses in English each year (Fortaleza English-Taught Courses). In addition to these courses students are able to take introductory Portuguese language classes. For courses taught in Portuguese please visit the UNIFOR website.
All students are expected to maintain at least the equivalent of a full time course load according to Appalachian State and the host university while abroad (whichever is greater). Students participating on the UNIFOR program will be required to enroll in 12-18 credits per semester. For more information about study abroad enrollment policies, credit approval, and credit and grade conversions please visit the Academics section of our website.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and some programs may fill up before the listed deadline. Each year applications for Fall, Spring, and Summer will open up on August 1st. Once open the deadline will be listed below and an Apply Now button will be available at the top and bottom of this page. Most applications will have a 2 part application process so students are encouraged to complete their OIED application well before the listed deadline.
For more information about deadlines and how to apply please visit our
Guide Me web page.