In July 2011, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced the creation of an innovative scholarship program known in Brazil as “Ciência Sem Fronteiras”, and, in the United States as the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program (BSMP). Scholarships are awarded to students in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields for one year of study in the United States.
This initiative, administered by the Institute of International Education, is part of the Brazilian government’s larger effort to grant 100,000 scholarships to the best students from Brazil for study abroad at the world’s top universities. The program provides an exchange experience at a U.S. college or university to a diverse group of emerging Brazilian student leaders, widening the academic and research exchange between the U.S. and Brazil.
Why the U.S.?
Academic Options: The US is home to most of the world’s top universities and hosts the largest number of students on the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program. U.S. universities are at the forefront of technology and educational techniques and make available to their students the best equipment and resources. U.S. Universities provide a rich variety of academic, cultural and athletic activities to compliment the educational experience.
Diversity: The United States is a melting pot. Each state and city has its own personality, culture, and climate, and each is home to populations from all over the world. Students living in the desert landscape of Arizona and New Mexico can take a train or bus a few hours northeast to ski in Colorado, or a few hours northwest to surf in California. There are new experiences to have and people to meet everywhere, and each student returns to Brazil with a different outlook on and appreciation for American culture and customs.
Top Host States as of March 2014
New York- Arizona
- California
- Indiana
- Illinois
- Florida
- Wisconsin
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- Missouri
Language Learning: For those students whose English communication needs additional development before they begin academic study, there are several options for English language learning. There are short-term study and long-term study options, and students are placed at institutions and in programs that can help them reach both their academic and language learning goals. The Intensive English Programs (IEPs) that BSMP works with offer excellent support services and can help ease the transition to university study in the United States.
Professional and Experiential Learning: As a part of the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program, eligible students have the opportunity to participate in an internship, research opportunity, or observership (what we call Academic Training) that is directly related to the student’s field of study and supervised by an industry professional. Academic Training takes place during the summer months, and students may work with any number of hosts including international corporations, local non-profits, and research institutions. Some of the most coveted academic training opportunities exist with multinational companies, prestigious museums and foundations.
Support Services: The immigration and university systems can be difficult to maneuver for international students coming to the US for the first time. IIE offers comprehensive support services to assist with student immigration, placement, and financial concerns. This includes provision of the DS-2019 form and instructions for obtaining a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa, placement at universities based on student preference and best match, and distribution of all students’ funding. During the scheduled “Visa Days” in Brazil, IIE staff are on-hand to distribute immigration documents and facilitate the student immigration process, as well as answer any questions that students may have.
Want to join the thousands of other Brazilian students studying abroad in the United States? Visit www.iie.org/bsmp for more information.