Projects Abroad in Brazil

  Brazil

• Rio de Janeiro: 
Rio de Janeiro

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Year Round/Rolling Starts

Description: Brazil is an amazing destination to spend time on an overseas volunteer project or internship. Brazil is a magical country of staggering geographical, cultural and economic diversity. The 5th largest country in the world in terms of both area and population, Brazil dominates the continent of South America, bordering 10 countries and claiming a total coastline of over 7,000 kilometers. As well as the fabulously sandy beaches Brazil offers the visitor mountains, plains, savannahs and rainforest, fed by the country's tropical climate and the mighty Amazon River. Brazil's population is a melting pot of different nationalities from all corners of the globe, yet all fiercely proud of the country that binds them together!

Our projects in Brazil are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world, including those on a college summer break, gap year, career break or volunteer vacation.

Volunteering on a Placement Overseas in Brazil

Projects Abroad Brazil is based in a suburb of metropolitan Rio de Janeiro, one of the most exciting cities in the world. The city itself has a population of 6 million people and is located on the south-east coast of the country. Nicknamed simply "Marvelous City", Rio is famous for the two 'giants' who overlook the city: Sugar Loaf Mountain, and the impressive statue of Christ the Redeemer, which was recently designated as one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Rio de Janeiro is also the home of one of the greatest shows on earth, the Rio Carnival: a four day spectacular of color, music and dance which showcases the city's immense cultural diversity.

In Rio we offer placements in teaching, care, sports, and we even offer a Portuguese language program to help you get around while in Brazil.

Volunteering in Brazil

Teaching - For Brazil's children, one possibility for a better future lies in the learning of the English language, which can allow them access to so many areas of future employment. In a Portuguese speaking country, on a Spanish speaking continent, there has never in the past been a great deal of importance placed on learning English, but more recently this has changed, as globalisation has taken effect. Unfortunately, the better English tuition tends to come at a price, which has restricted it to the middle classes. As a Projects Abroad volunteer you can help to address this imbalance.

As an international volunteer, English teaching in Brazil will give you an amazing new perspective on this incredible country. You can gain invaluable work experience abroad without any previous qualifications, and you are not required to have undergone TEFL training. Whether you are coming to volunteer abroad during your gap year, career break or an extended vacation, you will have a role to play in one of the schools that we work with, and you will be able to make a real difference.

Care - Brazil may be the 9th largest economy in the world, but it is also a country with one of the largest disparities between rich and poor. It is also a devoutly Catholic country, and it is commonplace to have large families living in very basic, cramped conditions. There are also many children without a family home and thousands of children live rough on the city's streets.

At Projects Abroad we are attempting to get right to the heart of this problem, which is why we are located in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro. Though we don't pretend we can solve the social problems of this incredible country, we can work to make a difference in the lives of a large number of these children. But we cannot do this without the help of our volunteers.

Sports - There can be no better place to volunteer on a soccer placement than Brazil - winners of the soccer world cup a record five times and known by locals simply as 'the soccer country'.

Many Brazilian children live for soccer and it is by far the favorite pastime of youngsters found playing in the streets. For some talented children soccer offers an escape from crippling poverty but even for the children who aren't good enough to attend a soccer academy the game remains an enjoyable and healthy activity that can help to keep them away from entering gangs or getting involved in drugs.

Language - Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Portuguese language and fascinating Brazilian culture on one of our intensive Portuguese language placements in Brazil.

Local fishermen

With 60 hours of tuition per month and accommodation with a local Brazilian family, you'll learn quickly and can practice what you've learnt with your hosts each day. Lessons are with a qualified language teacher and are tailored to your personal level.

Whether you are a complete beginner or have been learning Portuguese for many years, being immersed in the language every day will help your skills progress quickly. After your lessons you will, of course, have plenty of time to complete your homework and explore the city and the State of Rio de Janeiro with other volunteers.

Alternatively you can undertake a short, 14-hour language course in Portuguese. These courses are tailored to your needs and run alongside your volunteer placement. If you are planning on volunteering abroad for three months or more, you could also complete a 60-hour course alongside your placement.

Highlights: Brazil has so many great attractions that it is difficult to know where to start. In the city of Rio de Janeiro alone there are a thousand different ways to entertain yourself and you will probably choose to spend your weekends here. In addition to the sights mentioned above, Rio is also home to one of the largest sports stadiums in the world, the Maracana. Whether you are a soccer fan or not, catching the atmosphere at a live game will be an unforgettable experience! The city also contains the world's largest urban forest; at 32 square kilometers the Tijuca Forest is a designated National Park, containing all manner of rare species.

Further away you can experience the beautiful beaches of Fernando de Noronha, the lively atmosphere of Salvadore and the raw power of the Iguazu Falls. No trip to Brazil would be complete without a trip to the Amazon, and you can use Brazil as a gateway to just about every other South American country.

All accommodation is organized, paid for and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, which are verified before you arrive in Brazil.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: none

Cost in US$: From US$1,595 Up

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Brazil Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 2-5

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992