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Short Programmes

Our Brazilian affiliate offers a range of short programmes of 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks staying with a Brazilian family at any time of the year. Days are unstructured but help can be given with finding language instruction and itineraries. Tell us what you would like and we’ll see what we can arrange.

Longer Exchanges

Students can go for one or two semesters starting approximately on the dates shown in the ‘Investment’ page. No NZ schools teach Portuguese but you’re expected to begin studying as soon as you apply. Existing knowledge of a second language is a great help.

Gap Year Students

You can go when you are 18 and can turn 19 while on exchanges, but you must apply while still enrolled school in NZ. As a gap year student you are still expected to sign up to our affiliate’s set of rules governing the exchange.

Click Notes for students to get comprehensive information about our exchanges to Brazil, including information on the placements and the applications procedures.

Placements

Placements are made as soon as possible and if you have applied at the correct time you should be in contact with your host family for at least a week before you leave. Many students are in contact for a month or more.

Host families have to go through an interview and vetting process. Your personality and preferences are taken into account if at all possible, but the supply of generous and welcoming families is not bottomless and you must be prepared to adapt to the situation you are given.

Successful placements depend as much upon you as upon the family you’re given. Some students stay with the same family for a whole year while others may have two or three families.

It is necessary to realise that although the Brazilian economy is now in comparatively good health, the Brazilian middle class is not as wealthy as the New Zealand middle class.

Placements are usually in the region around Goiania, a modern city southwest of the capital Brasilia. We do not place students in Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro as they are considered too risky.

Flights are usually through Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo with an escorted change of flights between airports in Sao Paulo. Schedules frequently change at the last moment and students need to have a sense of adventure. Late applications may require a complex flight arrangement and incur extra cost.

Vaccinations & Visas

You may need a yellow fever vaccination either before you leave or on arrival. Visas can be complicated to arrange and the bureaucracy is sometimes slow. Additional form-filling is required before you can be granted a visa.

Like to know more about our Student Exchange programme? Click on the ‘Enquiries’ link or email ian@nziiu.co.nz