Semester in Sao Paulo
Your Semester in São Paulo program lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE courses and courses taught online through CIEE's global academic partner, ASU. Enhance your experience with cross-disciplinary cultural and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Brazilian culture. Live and learn in São Paulo!
Unique Experiences
PARTICIPATE IN EXCLUSIVE NETWORKING EVENTS
AND GUEST LECTURES WITH SÃO PAULO’S BUSINESS AND STARTUP COMMUNITY
SUPPORT ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING PROGRAMS
AND HELP STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS DEVELOP THEIR LANGUAGE SKILLS
TAKE PART IN A GUIDED URBAN SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT
COLLABORATING WITH EXPERTS ON GREEN CITY INITIATIVES, SMART MOBILITY SOLUTIONS, AND SOCIAL IMPACT PROGRAMS
Your Destination
São Paulo is Brazil’s thriving, multicultural metropolis, offering an exciting environment for students studying business, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, and more. As South America’s economic powerhouse, São Paulo is a hub for finance, entrepreneurship, and innovation, providing world-class academics and hands-on learning opportunities. The city’s diverse neighborhoods, cutting-edge architecture, renowned art museums like MASP, and influential music and culinary scenes create an enriching backdrop for studying abroad. With sprawling parks, bustling markets, and a fast-paced urban energy, São Paulo is the perfect place to study abroad while immersing yourself in a globally connected city.
Program Highlights
- Academic Courses: Choose from CIEE courses and online courses delivered by CIEE’s global partner, ASU, that align with your academic major.
- Optional Internship Placements: Enhance your program with an optional for-credit internship that aligns with your career aspirations.
- Immersive Experiences: Participate in activities, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
- Academic Projects: Enroll in an optional for-credit independent research project or service-learning project for increased professional development opportunities.
Excursions & Activities
CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in São Paulo will open doors for you to explore Brazil’s rich diversity, language, culture, history, contemporary trends, vibrant art, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.
- Dive into Brazil's passion for soccer with interactive exhibits at the soccer museum at Pacaembu Stadium
- Discover one of Brazil's most important art museums, Pinacoteca, home to a vast collection of Brazilian masterpieces from colonial times to contemporary art
- Explore Mercado Municipal de São Paulo and taste Brazilian delicacies like the famous mortadella sandwich and fresh tropical fruits at this historic food market
Please note: Activities are based on past programs and are subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE São Paulo offers residence hall housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. From single to shared rooms, we will strive for your accommodation preferences to be met. All housing has convenient access to plenty of shopping, supermarkets, restaurants, and public transportation.
- Standard Housing: Includes a double room in a residence hall, located within a 20- to 30-minute commute of the city center by public transportation. Students can prepare their meals in the facility and access study areas and other amenities. This type of accommodation offers fully furnished kitchen space, laundry facilities shared with other students, shared bathrooms, and Wi-Fi.
- Select Housing: Includes a single room in a residence hall. Residence halls are located 15 minutes from the city center. Students can prepare their meals in the facility and access study areas and other amenities. This type of accommodation offers fully furnished kitchen space, laundry facilities shared with other students, shared bathrooms, and Wi-Fi. Select housing requires an additional fee.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive.
Meals
Meals are not included.
Academics
CIEE São Paulo: Study in São Paulo, Brazil’s largest and most diverse city. Explore vibrant neighborhoods, dive into the city’s world-class arts and music scene, and experience the nonstop energy that makes São Paulo a cultural powerhouse.
Arizona State University (ASU): Brought to you by CIEE in partnership with ASU, enhance your international coursework with online classes that align with your degree requirements. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar.
Course Information
CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, 100% online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.
CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.
Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program!
Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO
- Culture and Cuisine in Brazil
- Cross-Cultural Psychology
- Intercultural Communication and Leadership
- Doing Business in Latin America
- Business and Sustainability
- Sustainable Tourism
- Portuguese Language - Beginning I
- Building Sustainable Cities
- Engineering, Sustainability, and Society
- Nature and Culture in Transnational Perspective
- Sustainable Development in the 21st Century
- Internship Seminar
- Service-Learning Project
- Directed Independent Research
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Discover Internship Opportunities
We're excited you're considering this program! Next, explore the types of internships you can choose from for an epic internship abroad with CIEE Study Abroad.
Explore Industry Options
São Paulo's dynamic work scene offers extensive internship opportunities with major companies, financial institutions, and tech startups across finance, technology, marketing, and international businesses. As Brazil’s economic hub, the city is home to multinational corporations and leading industries that provide hands-on experience in a fast-paced and innovative environment. São Paulo's diverse and globalized workforce fosters collaboration and networking, supporting professional growth in Latin America’s largest business center.
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Gain experience in agricultural markets, agribusiness companies, and NGOs to study food production and global processes.
Finance
Study global markets, financial systems, and cross-border investment strategies in international firms, banks, and companies.
Manufacturing
Study global supply chains, production technologies, and international business strategies in England, Singapore, and more.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Gain hands-on skills in sustainable technologies, research projects, and scientific studies in Costa Rica, Mexico, and more.
Browse Internship Opportunities
Explore internship placements available through this program to find the right fit for your academic and professional goals.
Disclaimer: Internship placements are subject to availability and host employer hiring discretion. Application and payment of CIEE fees does not guarantee specific placement. This internship listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Spring 2026 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Alejandra Herrera
Regional Director of Operations for Latin America, Interim Center Director, Santiago Chile
Alejandra is a passionate and experienced educator in higher education in Chile with more than 10 years in the field of International Education.
Get Started
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Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
3
Contact CIEE
We're here to help! Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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Interested in an optional internship?
After being accepted to this program and submitting the required internship documents, work with CIEE staff on your internship goals and select which positions to interview for. CIEE will reach out to companies that would be a good fit for you, your interests, and your qualifications. Finalize your internship placement upon arrival!
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