By Kim Sarna, ISA Latin America Programs Coordinator
Updated from original post on Mar. 2, 2017
Can you imagine yourself living on an island surrounded by natural beauty, where the people are welcoming, the culture is lively, and the adventures are endless? It’s not that far fetched. You could explore Latin America’s largest and most diverse country while studying with ISA in the friendly city of Florianópolis, Brazil.
Ever heard of Florianópolis?
Think Rio, but safer and smaller. In Floripa (as the locals call it) you’ll feel right at home while enjoying the easy island life of Brazil – spending your day in the vibrant downtown district or the trendy neighborhood of Lagoa da Conceição. Homestays are located throughout the city while students looking for more independence can live in the ISA apartments located in the heart of Lagao, footsteps away from this pristine lagoon.
Need a vacation?
Or a study-cation? Treat yourself to paradise at this top vacation destination for Brazilians and foreigners alike. Visitors come to Floripa for the breathtaking beaches and stay for the healthy, high quality lifestyle. Your mornings could be spent by enjoying an açai bowl or fresh fruit juice on your way to class, your afternoons practicing Capoeira or attending a samba workshop, and your evenings exploring the nightlife at one of the many bars, restaurants, cafes, boutiques, food trucks, and organic markets located in Lagoa.
Looking for adventure?
Embrace the outdoors while hiking, surfing, mountain biking, sandboarding, kayaking, wind surfing, kite surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, and more! The combination of land, sea, and lagoon offers an all-around outdoor experience. For all you travel junkies, Florianópolis has an international airport that connects to other top destinations around the country such as Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Recife, or Sao Paulo. ISA also offers day trips to the Balneário Camboriú beach resort and the German settlement of Blumenau, which boasts the largest Octoberfest outside of Germany. Want to explore more? Optional overnight excursions to exotic destinations such as Iguazu Falls and the Santa Catarina Mountains are available through ISA.
Did we mention our courses?
ISA has a great partnership with our host university UNISUL. Last year, we expanded our course offering in hopes of providing students with more opportunities to engage in Brazilian culture. In addition to Portuguese language courses, students can choose from a variety of culture and business courses taught in English including:
- Brazilian Music and Dance
- Sustainability and Natural Resource Management
- Brazilian Urban Landscapes in Santa Catarina, Brasilia and Beyond
- Contemporary Brazilian Politics
- Indigenous Peoples in Brazil: Amerindian Perspectives
- Brazil in the New Global Economy
- Management Theory and Practice
- Sustainable Tourism in Brazil
These experiential learning courses are also available for college credit:
- Capoeira
- Gastronomy
Want to see where you’ll be in between classes?
We cannot say enough amazing things about our staff. Our Resident Director, Rodrigo Franzoni, is available to our students 24/7! You can find him in our new office on campus, which is shared with UNISUL’s International Office. Take a breather in between classes and enjoy the top floor views while you catch up on homework, class readings, or just to relax and use that free time to chat with Rodrigo or other ISA students.
Need more incentive?
Semester programs in Floripa are some of our most affordable programs in Latin America – this includes tuition, housing, day excursions, cultural activities, insurance, access to the ISA office, the support of our incredible onsite staff, and more! Whether you are a footballer, a foodie, a beach bum, or an adventure seeker; studying abroad with ISA in Florianópolis will get you out of your comfort zone and challenge you to learn something new. ISA will give you the tools to thrive with this new language and in this new culture and help you unlock the secrets of the Isla Magica.
Learn More about studying abroad in Floripa, Brazil with ISA.
Reblogged this on Blogging about all things.
Florianopolis is perfect for those who are fond of adventures! After all, with so many tracks and desert beaches, it is like a piece of paradise. If you are asking yourself how to get to the capital, a nice tip is to get to Sao Paulo and, from there, take a bus to Florianopolis.