- Region
- Latin America
- Term
- Fall, Spring
- Student Year
- Junior
- Courses Offered By
- College of Arts and Letters, College of Engineering, Keough School of Global Affairs, Mendoza College of Business
Rio de Janeiro offers an unparalleled journey into the heart of Brazil's complex identity. Its natural beauty is world-renowned, and the city's storied past offers a deep dive into Brazil's past and present. You can immerse yourself in the Afro-Brazilian heritage that pulses through neighborhoods like Saúde and Gamboa, once the landing point for enslaved Africans and now the epicenter of samba's birth. Rio is a living museum where art, music, and traditions are not just preserved but actively celebrated, offering a profound and transformative backdrop for academic exploration and a deep understanding of the diverse forces that have shaped modern Brazil.
As one of Brazil's top private universities, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) has a strong reputation for excellence in engineering, computer science, and international relations research. Located in the charming Gávea neighborhood, the campus is a beautiful, green space situated between the Tijuca National Forest and the city's southern beaches. The university offers a diverse and welcoming environment for international students, providing a number of classes in English that focus on engineering, Brazilian and Latin American culture, history, and business. A required Portuguese as a Second Language course will allow students to achieve deeper understanding of the local culture. The university's homestay program is a great option for students who want to live with a Brazilian family and truly experience the Carioca way of life.