Location:

Curitiba, Brazil

Program Type:

Intern Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Summer

Work Types:

Business, Computer Science, Journalism, Sciences & Environment, Social Sciences

Program Overview

Program Description:

Mason Study Abroad partners with Brazilian Experience (BE) to place students in an unpaid two-month summer internship program. Students work five days per week, living with a Brazilian family in a home stay arrangement. Students gain valuable global work experience and professional skills in various industry fields, while earning Mason resident credit, and enjoying the cultural attractions of Curitiba, Brazil.

English-speaking internship placements are limited; students take a two-week intensive Portuguese language course for the first two weeks of the program. Upon completion of the course, students work five days a week for 7 weeks; a semi-intensive Portuguese language course is available during week 3. Students will complete work assignments in English; however, students with at least intermediate Portuguese language skills will benefit by being able to integrate and immerse themselves in the Portuguese-speaking environment. Students must know English or Spanish in order to succeed in tuner program. During the nine-week internship program, Brazilian Experience offers student support services in-country, such as a welcome orientation, weekly group activities, 24/7 staff support, and more. 

 

Undergraduate:  The default Mason internship study abroad credit for undergraduate summer and semester programs is 6 Mason resident credits of Integrative Studies (INTS) 390 - International Internship. Coursework is obtained by an online Blackboard course, taught by a Mason faculty member, during the program. If students wish to obtain internship credit other than INTS 390, students must meet with the internship coordinator or department chair in the department from which they wish to obtain the credit. Students must then communicate with the program officer to complete the necessary paperwork to approve department-specific credit.

Previously, students have been able to obtain alternate credits in the following:

• Economics (ECON) 498: Internship (6 credits)
• Global Affairs (GLOA) 495: Global Experiential Learning (6 credits)
• Conflict Analysis and Resolution (CONF) 385: International Field Experience (6 credits)
• Government (GOVT) 480: Internship (3 credits) + Government (GOVT) 398: Study Abroad (3 credits)
• Psychology (PSYC) 327: Psychology in the Community (3 credits) + Psychology (PSYC) 461: Special Topics (3 credits)
• Communication (COMM) 399: Special Topics in Communication (3 credits) + Communication (COMM) 307: Field Study in Communication (3 credits)
• Global Affairs (GLOA) 495: Global Experiential Learning (3 credits) + English (ENGH) 459: Internship (3 credits). 

 

Setting Description:

HOUSING: Student housing is in a home stay arrangement with a Brazilian family.