Location

The Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul is located in Campo Grande, in Central Brazil, about a two-hour flight from São Paulo. Campo Grande, the capital of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, has over a million inhabitants and is known for its large, tree-lined boulevards. Campo Grande's weather is predominantly dry and hot, with biodiversity similar to the African Savannah. The Pantanal, also known as the Brazilian Everglades, are the biggest wetlands in the world and are located near the university campus. 

Academic Content 

Students participating in this exchange program must be of sophomore standing or above at the time of departure and must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above.

Students will begin this hybrid exchange program by taking virtual Portuguese classes via the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) during the summer. Students will then travel to Campo Grande, Brazil, in August and begin their in-country study abroad experience at UFMS. Students can choose from a small list of pre-approved School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences courses and will typically earn between 24-30 UW quarter credits per semester. Please review the list of courses below and talk with your academic advisor about how these courses will fit into your academic schedule. 

The Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul is a Brazilian public institution that offers undergraduate and graduate programs that range from Law, Medicine and Engineering to Anthropology, Music and Computer Sciences. UFMS is ranked in the top 25 universities in Brazil and is widely regarded as one of the most diverse universities in the country, with a large portion of students identifying as low-income, black or indigenous, or as students with disabilities, with a significant portion also being first-generation students. The campus is walkable and very green, with an abundant population of capybaras! 

University exchanges are well suited for students who want to enroll in university courses in a variety of academic disciplines, seek full immersion in the student life and culture of a foreign university and society, and desire a high degree of personal independence.

Course List 

Capybaras in Campo Grande, Brazil near a sign warning students about alligators

**Students will choose from the list of courses below and may choose between 24-30 credits.**

PORT 110 Accelerated Elementary Portuguese (5 credits) - Covers the equivalent of Portuguese 101 and Portuguese 102. 

PORT 103 Elementary Portuguese (5 credits) - Methods and objectives are primarily oral-aural. Covers all major elements of Portuguese grammar.

GIAS 365/PORT 365 Mapping Luso-Brazilian Cultures (5 credits) - Explores cultures of Brazil, Portuguese-speaking Africa, Asia, and Europe within the framework of cultural studies theory. **I&S/VLPA**

TIAS 496 Internship (1-10 credits) - Participate in an internship in the public or private sector in Campo Grande. 

TIAS 498 Directed Readings (1-10 credits) - Faculty-supervised individual readings in areas of special need for students. Topics will vary. 

TIAS 499 Undergraduate Research (1-10 credits) - Individual advanced research projects carried out under supervision of individual faculty member. 

TEGL 498 Study Abroad (5-12 credits) - Explores intersectionality of differing social categories such as race, gender, ethnicity, class, religion, sexuality and so on in international local(es) to enhance understanding of global-local dynamics. 

Program Dates

Autumn Semester: June 20, 2023 - November 29, 2023 

The semester will take place virtually from June 20-July 14. Students will travel to Brazil for their on-campus courses to begin on August 1 and end on November 29. 

Housing and Daily Life 

Students will choose between staying with a local host family or in apartments. Once a student is accepted to the program, they will work with UFMS to find accommodation that suits their needs.

Campo Grande is also home to many indigenous communities and "quilombolas," which are rural African-descendants. The city boasts many different kinds of cuisine, due to its heavy influence of immigrants from all over the world, specially Japanese and Lebanese influenced cuisine, as well as more traditional Brazilian steakhouses. Like in Tacoma, many students enjoy local hikes as well.

Campo Grande has a well-connected bus system, with at least 3 bus lines stopping at the university. Students also can use ride-sharing apps like Uber. Meals, local transportation and other items in Campo Grande are generally more affordable than in Tacoma. 

Travel Documents 

UW Tacoma Study Abroad is not responsible for obtaining visas for study abroad program participants. The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad, including countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. You can research visa requirements by contacting the consular offices of those countries. You can read more about this topic on the Passports and Visas page of the UW Study Abroad website.

Note: If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements. You can check the following the U.S. Department of State website to find contact information for the consulate of the country you will be visiting. For non-U.S. citizens, entry and exit procedures into a country may be different than those for U.S. citizens. It is important to investigate requirements as soon as possible in order to assemble documents and allow time for lengthy visa processing times (if applicable).

Program Cost  

Corumba campus, Mato Grosso do Sul

Program Fee:  $6,700

Included in the program fee:

  • $470 Administrative Fee
  • Classes at UFMS

Not included in the program fee:

  • Meals
  • Accommodation
  • Travel to/from Brazil
  • Health insurance

How to apply 

Applications are due on February 15, 2023. We continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and will provide ongoing updates. If the UW Tacoma Office of Global Affairs cancels your program due to COVID-19, you will not be charged any study abroad program fees or administrative fees under the control of our office

Timeline 

1. Apply via our online application system by February 15, 2023. 

2. Upon your acceptance by UW Tacoma, you will be nominated to UFMS.

3. Upon your acceptance to UFMS, complete required documents. 

4. Work with UFMS to secure housing, register for courses, etc. 

5. Complete UW Tacoma requirements, including pre-departure orientation. 

6. Participate in exchange program. 

Withdrawals 

The $470 UW Study Abroad Administrative Fees are non-refundable once a contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun (please refer to Emergency Withdrawal information below, if applicable). The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by the Office of Global Affairs. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

Please email uwtintl@uw.edu providing notice that you will no longer be participating in the program. You will also need to respond to any further communication from the Office of Global Affairs to finalize your withdrawal.

If a program is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students will not be charged either the UW Study Abroad Administrative Fee or the UW Tacoma Study Abroad Program Fee.

Emergency Withdrawal

Capybara, mascot of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul

If you cannot participate in a study abroad program, you may submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition. If granted, the Emergency Withdrawal may allow for partial relief from your financial obligations to the program.

An Emergency Withdrawal Petition may be submitted in the following circumstances:

  • Unanticipated change in financial situation
  • Medical emergency
  • Death in immediate family
  • Active military duty
  • Unusual or extenuating circumstances

To submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition, complete this form and email it to uwtintl@uw.edu.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

  • A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
  • For UW Tacoma students, you can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the UW Tacoma Office of Financial Aid. 
  • For UW Seattle or Bothell Students, you can apply by filling out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the Office of Financial Aid. 
  • Consult the Financial Aid section of the UW Study Abroad website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips
  • Please also review this list of scholarships: these are opportunities that can help fund your study abroad experience. Please note that many of them have deadlines before your study abroad application is due. For help with the application process, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu.

Budgeting Tools

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated, and we are here to help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

  • Click on the Budget Sheets link at the top of this brochure to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
  • UW Tacoma students can attend a How to Fund Your Study Abroad event - more information is on the Events page of our website.

Changes in Cost or Scope of Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an online pre-departure orientation facilitated by the Office of Global Affairs as well as your program-specific orientations, offered by your program directors. Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.

Disability Accommodations

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and education for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation for this program, contact Disability Resources for Students at least 8 weeks in advance of your departure date. Contact info at tacoma.uw.edu/drs.