Choosing a country for study abroad is tough. If you’re torn between the city and the beach, between studying the arts or business… there’s no reason not to be greedy and have it all! Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado (FAAP) in Brazil offers the best of both many worlds. Here are ten reasons why you should study abroad at FAAP:
1. Live in one of the world’s biggest cities.
Sao Paulo, the largest city in the southern hemisphere, is a political, economic, and cultural hub. This bustling metropolis is ideal for international relations or business majors looking to understand the Latin American perspective on world issues. The multitude of museums and theaters are also fantastic for students studying the arts.
2. Sunsets look like this.
Need we say more?
3. Taste Fogo de Chão in its native environment.
Because nothing is more glorious for the taste buds than authentic churrasco (Brazilian barbecue). And if you’re vegetarian, have no fear — the salad bar boasts the nectar of the Gods (not really, but it comes close).
4. Learn Portuguese.
Spoken by 215 million people in eight countries, Portuguese is a Romance language. Those with an understanding of Portuguese often find it easier to understand Spanish, Italian, and French. That’s like… killing four birds with one linguistic stone.
5. The locals are friendly.
But don’t take our word for it — here’s what an ISEP student has to say:
“Every day I walked to school, I passed a little roadside shop which was owned by a sweet old lady and her husband. She’s the one I think of when thinking of the sweetest person in Sao Paulo, a city of millions.”
6. Explore your artsy side.
Extension classes at FAAP let students learn more about film, photography, painting, theatre, fashion… you name it! They also allowed this ISEP student to apply art across disciplines:
“Drawing classes of the human figure I found especially interesting… these classes not only taught me how to draw human figure better, but also gave me a place and a time for concentration and attentiveness. These two will be needed in my medical studies back home in Finland.”
And the cherry that tops this cultured creativity cake? FAAP houses its own museum and theater.
7. Brazil is hosting the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Even if you’re not a soccer fan (or should we say futebol?), the sport is an integral part of Brazil’s cultural makeup. What better way to immerse yourself than by participating in World Cup festivities?
8. Stress relief at the beach when you need to… relieve stress.
Did we mention that Sao Paulo is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the beach? No? Well. It is.
9. The ISEP coordinator is super awesome.
Seriously, though:
“[The coordinator at FAAP] contacted me via Skype before I left if I had any questions about what I was supposed to do upon arrival. They helped me with any problems I had during my stay there, and they also helped me after I left.” — ISEP Student
10. Studying abroad in Brazil is sunshine and rainbows. Literally.
“I learned quite a lot about not only Brazil as a rising power , but the rest of Latin America as well. The activities outside of the classroom, like art expositions, film festivals, and academic lectures were my absolute favorites because they attracted the entire FAAP students, faculty, and staff into one cultural melting pot! It was an indescribable experience to live in a country like Brazil, a city like Sao Paulo, and study at a university like FAAP; simply, an outstanding experience!” — Connie V., ISEP Student
Convinced yet? Click here to learn more about how to study abroad in Brazil with ISEP.
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