Yale Summer Session in New Haven & Paraty & Rio de Janeiro: Elementary Portuguese for Romance Language Speakers I & II + Culture

Description

An intensive elementary program in Portuguese language emphasizing development of all language skills, with an introduction to Brazilian cultural history which covers essential themes and figures from 1500 to the present; conducted in English with sessions in Portuguese in Brazil. 

The program starts with three weeks in New Haven, on the Yale campus, before moving on to Brazil for the final five weeks.

Courses & Credits

PORT S112: Elementary Portuguese for Romance Language Speakers I (1.5 Yale credits)

PORT S122: Elementary Portuguese for Romance Language Speakers II (1.5 Yale credits)

PORT S352: Introduction to Brazil (1 Yale credit)

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad are intensive, highly structured academic programs led by Yale instructors. 

Instructors

Professsor K. David Jackson, Director of Undergraduate Studies for Portuguese, Yale University

Professor Kenneth David Jackson is the Director of Undergraduate Studies for Portuguese in Yale University’s Department of Spanish and Portuguese. His research interests include modernist, vanguardist, and inter-arts Portuguese and Brazilian literature, Portuguese culture in Asia, and ethnomusicology. Professor Jackson is the author of numerous books and articles related to these topics, and is named to the International Advisory Board of the Centro Interuniversitário de Estudos Camonianos at the Universidade de Coimbra in Portugal. He received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Professor Elizabeth Jackson, Visiting Associate Professor of Portuguese, Wesleyan University

Professor Elizabeth Jackson is Visiting Associate Professor of Portuguese in the Romance Languages & Literatures department at Wesleyan University. She translated Newton Moreno’s work “The Meal: Dramatic Essays on Cannibalism,” a contemporary Brazilian play that made its American premiere at the Yale Cabaret in February 2017. She received her PhD from the University of Texas Austin.

Class Times 

Language courses will meet Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (noon) for the duration of the program.

The cultural course, PORT S352: Introduction to Brazil, will meet Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. while the program is on the Yale campus in New Haven, and will meet Monday and Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00pm in Brazil. 

Class times may be subject to change with notice from the instructor.

Participants should expect about 2-3 hours daily of work outside of the classroom as well as program excursions and activities.

Classroom Locations in Brazil

Paraty

Classes will meet at the Pousada da Condessa, which is a hotel and also where students will be staying in Paraty.

Rio de Janeiro

Classes will meet at IBEU-Copacabana. For some, the classroom will be within walking distance while others will need to take the bus or metro. While in Rio, culture classes will have shared instruction with the program teaching assistant.
 

Money & Budgeting

Many students find a combination of credit and debit cards to be the most convenient way of accessing money while abroad, but it is important to have a backup option. Yale Study Abroad suggests bringing a moderate amount (equivalent to $100 or so) of the host country currency in cash when participants leave the U.S. to cover initial expenses like bus/taxi fares, snacks, and phone calls for the first couple days. Please note that many participants will likely need more than $100 for out-of-pocket expenses throughout the entire duration of the program. It is also important to have an emergency fund available in the form of a savings account or a credit card. Program instructor(s) will not be able to loan participants money. Yale Study Abroad encourages participants to keep in mind that while ATMs are available throughout much of Brazil, they may charge transaction fees for each withdrawal or have withdrawal limits in the local currency. Participants should consider the exchange rate when determining what their financial resources will be. When travelers change funds to the local currency, the exchange rate can work in their favor or against it.

Participants should expect out-of-pocket costs not billed by Yale, including but not limited to class materials, coffee, snacks, and transportation to and from the classroom.

Program Cost & Funding

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad costs are updated annually and include the administrative fee and program deposit, program fee, tuition, and international housing charge.  

Budget

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad updates program budgets in late January. Please note the year listed on the button below.

Summer 2024 Budget

Trips and Activities

On every Yale Summer Session Program Abroad, learning extends outside of the classroom. Students can expect a variety of integrated activities and excursions that enhance the academic goals of the program. Trips and activities listed below are included as examples only and are subject to change. 

All required activities and excursions include transportation (when outside of the host city), entrance fees, and most meals. 

A variety of excursions have been arranged in Brazil. This list is not necessarily inclusive of all activities, and all excursion plans are subject to change at any time. Participants will be provided with more details once abroad. Entrance fees are included in the cost of the program.

Examples of past excursions include:

• Sítio Burle-Marx & Casa do Pontal
• Rio City Tour
• Corcovado
• Samba do Trabalhador
• Brazilian Dance Lesson

Get to know Brazil before going! Guidebooks from most retail bookstores can be invaluable resources for learning about Paraty and Rio de Janeiro before arrival.

Housing

All participants are required to live in program-provided housing while abroad and are not permitted to arrange housing independently. International housing is guaranteed from the first day of the program until the official end date.

While in Paraty students stay in the Pousada da Condessa, which is also where classes will meet.

In Rio de Janeiro, students live with host families, who will provide breakfast and dinner daily. Accommodations and distance to IBEU-Copacabana (Instituto Brasil-Estados Unidos), the location where classes will meet, will vary amongst host families, with some students commuting to class by walking and others by taking the bus.

Homestays are an integral part of this program. This living arrangement provides participants with the opportunity to learn more about the host culture, increase language proficiency, and form meaningful connections with the host family or community. Participants should be prepared to encounter new perspectives, especially within their homestays, and a tolerance for different opinions will be an asset. Students admitted into the program are expected to spend time getting to know their host family and be mindful of the need to balance time spent at home with time spent traveling or going out with friends. If participants have any questions about living with a homestay family, they should reach out to the program instructor.

Participants will have a private room, but homes in Rio will vary. Remember that host families are not providing a hotel service. Rather, they are warmly welcoming students into their families. Student should discuss any personal conditions or considerations (including allergies, dietary restrictions, or food preferences) with their homestay families at the beginning of the program and at any point such issues emerge. It is important that students do their best to fit into the patterns and assumptions of their homestay families. This might include expectations regarding mealtime, returning home late, notifying them of whereabouts, etc. If issues emerge, participants should contact the homestay coordinator or the program instructor.

Students must leave housing on the last day of the program.

Gift Custom

Participants are encouraged to give their homestay families a small gift on arrival. This could be an inexpensive token of the participant's university or hometown, such as a magnet or a mug.

Meals

Paraty

Breakfast and dinner will be provided at Pousada da Condessa. Participants will be responsible for their own lunches.

Rio de Janeiro

Host families will provide participants with breakfast and dinner daily, but participants will be responsible for their own lunches. Lunch is only provided on program excursions. Participants should let their host families know if they are planning to miss one of the provided meals during the homestay.

Notes

Climate and Weather

Although it is summer in the United States, it is the winter season in Brazil. Rio de Janeiro’s winters are relatively humid and mild with moderate rain. July is usually the coolest and driest time of the year. Average winter temperatures range from a low of 55° F to a high around 80° F. Be prepared for cool mornings and evenings, especially with wind or rain. There is no indoor heating.

Cultural Adjustment

Rio de Janeiro is a large, cosmopolitan city. It is possible to join sports academies or participate in other activities around the city while participating in the program. Pedestrian walkways and bike paths are found throughout the city. Brazilians are sociable and generally maintain hours similar to the United States. For example, dinner is commonly eaten around 6:00 p.m. If participans are interested in trying out restaurants in Rio, Study Abroad suggests they read reviews before going as some restaurants in the area are expensive

Packing Considerations

1. Pack light! Participants will be able to do laundry and will likely return home with new items from the host country. Participants should expect the possibility of carrying their bags on several modes of transportation and up several flights of stairs alone.

2. Keep all essential items in a carry-on bag (e.g., passport and medications). 

Clothing

Brazilians dress well, including college students. Dress should be neat casual wear, and participants should also bring beach attire and one semiformal outfit. Location and activity will dictate attire, so it is important that participants are mindful of appoprirate style.

Useful Items to Bring

Please pack sunscreen, insect repellant, comfortable walking shoes, and warmer layers for the evening.

Electricity Adapters

Brazil wall plugs can be purchased in Paraty or ordered from Amazon.

Questions

For general program questions contact studyabroad@yale.edu.

Important Information Before Applying

• All YSS Programs Abroad are intensive, highly structured academic programs for Yale credit and grades.
• Students may only apply to one YSS Program Abroad per summer.
• Admission is not guaranteed. Applicants should anticipate that more students will apply than there are spots available, and Yale College students should apply to a backup Non-Yale Summer Abroad opportunity.
• Ensure that your transcript reflects how you have met the pre-requisite, if applicable, prior to applying.
• Participants must commit to the full program dates. Late arrivals and early departures are not permitted.
• Participants are required to be enrolled in all program courses.
• Participants should expect evening and weekend requirements. Students who have questions about religious observance during a YSS Program Abroad are encouraged to Meet with an Adviser.
• Program-arranged housing is required for all YSS Programs Abroad. Students are not permitted to secure independent housing. Students who have housing-related questions about placements, allergies, religious observance, or disability-related access are encouraged to Meet with an Adviser.

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