Exchange Program
Universidade do Estado de Santa
Catarina (UDESC), Brazil
July—December or
February—July
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Ashland University and Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC) in Brazil have a partnership
where AU students can take classes, studying for a semester. Students pay reduced tuition and can take
their external financial aid with them. UDESC is considered one of the best state funded universities in
Brazil. Its mission is to engage in educational initiatives for the present and future of Santa Catarina.
UDESC has 9660 students, and has 12 different colleges around the state, and all classes are taught in
Portuguese only. There is a variety of majors available at each campus. The most popular colleges for
exchange students are:
College of Education Science
College of Business and Administrative
College of Engineering
College of Agriculture Sciences and Veterinary
College of Health Science
College of Arts
The University takes a unique approach by having multiple campuses, situating each college in a location
where the students will have the greatest impact with the local community. Students directly benefit
from this by being able to practice what they’ve learned in the classroom. For example, the business
school is located in the capital of the state, in the center of the business district. The agricultural
engineering school is located in an area where farm land is abundant.
PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE PREPARATION
All classes are taught in Portuguese. Prior to departure, students need intermediate level proficiency in
the language through AU language coursework or non-credit tutoring.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact: Rebecca Parillo, Director of Global Education, 7th Floor Library, 419.289.5870, rparillo@ashland.edu OR
Dr. Carla Abreu-Ellis, Faculty Advisor, 258 Schar College of Education, 419.289.5392. cellis1@ashland.edu
UDESC University Website: http://www.udesc.br/?id=438
ABOUT FLORIANOPOLIS, BRAZIL
Florianópolis is the capital city of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The city is part Island,
part mainland and has a population of approximately 420,000 people.
Florianópolis is a center for tourism. The city is divided into two distinct and separate settings. There is a
metropolitan city with booming night-life and top notch shopping on the island. In a sharp contrast, Florianopolis is also home to a vast rural setting as well. The rural areas have more of a relaxed “beach
town” feel to them while the city is a bubbling, busy place!
Keeping with Brazil’s reputation for the love of sports, Florianópolis is home to some of the most wild
and adventurous sports in the world. All you need to do is travel anywhere on the island to see countless
people surfing, windsurfing, jogging, kite-surfing, going to the gym or playing soccer.
HOUSING: UDESC offers assistance in finding off-campus housing.
ALUMNI TESTIMONIAL
“My experience here [UDESC] has been great. The city and the people are wonderful and I feel very lucky
to be a part of this exchange and to experience another culture. I also think that learning in a different
education system has opened my eyes to the both the positive and negative aspects of our education system in the US. Learning a second language is beneficial for educators because the diversity within US
schools is increasing. “Living and studying in a foreign country is a maturing process and I would encourage all students to take advantage of this opportunity” (Jared Blevens, Integrated Social Studies Major,
2011).
EXPENSES & DEADLINES
PROGRAM COST: Reduced AU Tuition (external aid can be used)
INCLUDED: Tuition, Access to Facilities
NOT INCLUDED See your financial aid counselor for potential coverage of these items: Flight (approx.
$1500—$3000 depending on Carnival), Housing (approx. $550 BRL per month), Meals (approx. $200 BRL
per month), Public Transportation (approx. $30 BRL per month), Books (approx. $50 BRL for the semester), Personal Spending (approx. $100-$200 BRL per month).
APPLICATION DEADLINES: Fall Semester: March 1; Spring Semester: October 1