• Population: 217.2 million
• Capital: Brasília
• Demographics: Most Brazilians trace their origins from Europe, Indigenous cultures, Africa, Levantine, East Asia. The majority of population is between 15-60 yrs old.
• Religion: Dominantly Roman Catholic, Prostestant, Fundamentalist, Pentecostal
• Type of government: Federal presidential constitutional republic, which is based on a representative democracy
• Currency: Brazilian Real
• Common food: Picanha (Brazilian barbecue), Feijoada (stew), Moqueca, Brigadeiros, Bolinho de Bacalhau, Pão de queijo

The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and Amerindian languages are also spoken; though not common.

As a University of Illinois student, you have access to library resources (such as Rosetta Stone and Libguides). You may also want to consider free sources to learn basic phrases, or to refresh your language skills prior to departure.

It is each students responsibility to independently verify the visa information below and ensure they apply and secure the appropriate documentation to travel and stay in their host country for the duration of their program.

Brazil requires students to obtain a visa for their stay (Vitem IV - Temporary visa for study and internship).

The visa must be obtained BEFORE the student´s entrance in Brazil. A tourist visa cannot be transferred into a student visa inside the country. Once accepted by your host institution, they will send an official acceptance letter to your Education Abroad Coordinator that will allow you to obtain a visa at a Brazilian Consulate, and will aid in the process of visa obtainment.

To read more on passport and visa terminology see the Passports & Visas page of this website.

Phones

• Check with your cellphone provider to find out if calls and data usage in this country will be an extra charge or free.
• WhatsApp is free, but only works with wifi or with a phone service, since it is a phone app.
• You can buy a SIM card in country for phones unlocked by your service provider (before going abroad) to be used in Brazil for local phone service.
• Make sure you have the Duo Mobile app set up on your phone. If you get a new SIM card, use the passcode options instead of PUSH, or go to UI Verify website to enter your new phone information.

Internet

• 3G Data speeds are more common than 4G. 4G data speed is most often available in major cities such as Rio De Janero. LTE speed is unreliable.

Electricity

• Brazil operates on a 127/220V supply voltage and 60Hz, so you may also need to buy a voltage converter in order to use your high voltage electric appliances (such as hairdryers). Cell phones and laptops do not need a voltage converter, but for items that do, it is often better to purchase these abroad rather than purchasing a voltage converter.
• For Brazil there are two associated plug types, types C and N. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins. Plug type N is the plug which has two round pins and a grounding pin.
• Universal Adapters are good for all countries.

Banking Tips

• When travelling to any foreign country, always inform your bank(s) if you will be using your card in another country so they can be aware of the foreign charges you will make.
• ATM transactions will charge a fee. Use the local currency to avoid higher fees.
• It is safest to only use ATMs and banks inside a building, preferably at your host institution.
• Mastercard and Visa credit/debit cards are most widely accepted.
• To avoid card-cloning from contact with rigged ATMs or street merchants, use cash.

Packing

• Brazil has a humid tropical and subtropical climate except for a drier area in the Northeast, sometimes called the drought quadrilateral or drought polygon, that extends from northern Bahia to the coast between Natal and São Luís
• For more packing considerations, view the Packing List (PDF).

Traveling Locally

• Some common methods of getting around are: City Bus, Exceutive Bus (Frescao), Train, Ferry, and rideshare apps

Each student faces different barriers and unique challenges based on their identity. For example, how you identify in the United States may not be how you choose to identify abroad because of the local social culture. We encourage all students to reflect on the different aspects of their identity and consider how they may play a role in their study abroad experience. To help with this thought process: visit the State Department website and look into the Identity & Inclusion resources available on this website.

International Safety and Security provides important wellness tips, along with using your insurance and the emergency phone number. Be sure to become familiar with this website and the resources available to you. Review the U.S. Embassy page and the Department of State website for additional safety resources.

Enroll yourself in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) with the U.S. Department of State. Registration in STEP will allow you to get alerts on the latest safety and security information. In addition, the information you provide enables the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency.