Rio de Janeiro - Pontificia Universidade Catolica

Q. What does this program offer?
A. Since 1999, the University of Missouri has participated in a direct student exchange program with the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) in Brazil. This program allows you to study at one of the top Brazilian universities alongside Brazilian and other international students like yourself.

Q. What is it like there?
A. Rio de Janeiro is a cosmopolitan city and one of the main attractions in Brazil. The city is at the core of influential political activities and has a leading role in the Brazilian economy. Over 6 million "cariocas" -- as the inhabitants are called - live in the city. They are blessed with beautiful natural scenery set between the sea and mountains. Outstanding highlights of Rio include the white sandy beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, the spectacular Corcovado Mountain, the largest soccer stadium in the world and the famous Carnaval. PUC-Rio is a private university established in 1941 and is internationally recognized as one of the most important research centers in Brazil. PUC-Rio has 10,000 undergraduate and 2,500 graduate students, plus 5,000 extension students. The university has an extensive program in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Technological Sciences.

Q. What will I study?
A. If you have the required level of Portuguese proficiency, you can choose courses from among the regular course offerings at PUC-Rio's three academic centers: The Center of Human Sciences, the Center of Social Sciences, and the Center of Science and Technology. If you are not able to take regular university courses, the University has a language center where you can study courses in Portuguese language and culture. You have the option of taking a Pre-term Intensive Portuguese Language course before each semester begins at an additional cost. This course is highly recommended.

Q. When can I go?
A. You can participate in this program for any of the following terms:
 Fall Semester
 Spring Semester
 Academic Year

Q. Where will I live?
A. PUC-Rio does not maintain on-campus housing, but PUC-Rio's International Center will help you find housing in private homes registered with the university or in apartments near the campus. Costs vary depending upon the option you choose.

Q. Will I get academic credit?
A. For each semester of academic work completed abroad, you may earn between 12 and 15 credit hours. Course credit transfers to MU, but your grades will not appear on your MU transcript and are not figured into your GPA. Although you are guaranteed to receive credit for successfully completed courses, you must work with your academic advisors to get pre-approval for how the courses you take might fulfill specific degree requirements. As part of your pre-departure preparation, you will need to look up what courses are available on the program and then arrange to meet with your academic advisor(s) to get pre-approval for the courses you wish to take.

Q. Can I afford to go?
A. MU attempts to make the costs of studying abroad affordable for you. Because this is a reciprocal exchange program, you will pay MU educational fees, non-resident tuition (for non-Missouri residents), student activities fees, information technology fees, and the student health center fee for 13 credit hours per semester. You will also pay a $500 study abroad administrative fee to cover MU administrative costs. Additional expenses for this program include international airfare, on-site housing costs, Orientation fee, and other miscellaneous expenses. See the estimated expenses page for more details about the cost of participating in this program compared to a comparable time at MU. Estimated costs for this program are listed below.

Q. Can I get financial aid?
A. Most financial aid that you normally receive for your classes at MU should apply to the cost of the program. If you are not a Missouri resident, you will be billed for MU non-resident fees and so remain eligible for any non-resident scholarships you receive from MU. Additional grants, loans or scholarships may be available to offset the extra costs incurred on this program. Please see the advisor for study abroad financing at the MU Financial Aid Office for more complete information. The International Center offers study abroad scholarships as well. Scholarship applications are included in the MU Study Abroad Application.

Q. Am I eligible?
A. If you are a sophomore, junior or senior, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above, and you have completed one semester of college-level Portuguese or two semesters of college-level Spanish, you are eligible to apply.

Q. How do I apply?
A. See the Study Abroad Application Instructions on this web-site for more information.

Q. Where can I find out more?
A. In the Study Abroad Resource Room at the International Center, you will find additional information on this and other overseas opportunities. Peer Advisors will be on hand to answer any questions you may have, and Study Abroad Advisors are available by appointment. You can also visit the Pontificia Universidade Catolica website for more information about the program.