by AFS-USA
From Carnaval, one of the world's most famous celebrations, to the ever-present fútbol culture, Brazil never fails to excite all the senses. It is the largest, most populous, and only Portuguese-speaking country in Latin America. It is a land of diversity, present in its Amazon rainforest, beaches, cities, and people, including indigenous peoples and people of Portuguese, European, and African ancestries.
You'll easily make friends since Brazilians love to share their culture and learn about others. You will be invited to join in soccer matches, traditional dances, festivals, street parades, guitar gatherings, barbecues, parties at the beach, and much more. If you're up for a challenge, try your hand at capoeira, the 400-year-old Afro-Brazilian art form that combines martial arts, music, dance, and ritual.
Brazil is an ideal place to step outside of your comfort zone, become a cultural insider, and engage in an exciting new adventure.
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Updated Jul 14, 2026
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Age Requirement
14-17
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Starts At
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When I was in Brazil I saw how AFS was involved and formed relationships with their students and it showed me that making relationships and having a community that loves you and supports you is very important, but also relationships need work and everything has to contribute.
My AFS experience gave me a love for my Brazilian family and friends, a better understanding of Brazilian culture, and the skills of how to adapt better to new/ difficult situations. AFS gave advise on how to handle just about every tough situation that could possibly have occurred.
The meetings with the other AFSers were very important. It kind of formed a little foreign exchange community where we could all talk about how our experiences were going and give each other advice.
During my time abroad I gained a lot of knowledge on myself and got to know more what it is I truly want out for the upcoming years in my life. It opened my mind to a lot of different situations, topics, and ideas that I would have never come to if it wasn't for AFS and this experience. I think that after becoming an AFSer and then becoming an AFS returnee you see the world completely different.
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Get answers to all the most common questions about AFS-USA.
Brazilians are generally open and affectionate. Families tend to be tight-knit, with grandparents and aunts and uncles close by. Many homes have backyard barbeques where friends and neighbors gather on weekends and holidays. Your host family might have a maid, which is more common in Brazil than in the US, but you can still expect to help out around the house.
The academic year in Brazil runs from February to December, with a 2 to 3-week winter vacation in July. You could be enrolled in either a private or public high school where you’ll likely attend classes in either the morning or afternoon. Morning classes typically begin at 7 a.m. and end at 12 p.m., while afternoon classes start at 1 p.m. and finish at 6 p.m.
Dances and festivals are a common occurrence in Brazil, especially during Carnaval, the celebration leading up to Ash Wednesday. Parties often include Samba dancing, which is a mix of African rhythms and European-style singing. Don’t forget to check out Capoeira, which is an energetic mix of dancing and martial arts that is quickly gaining popularity worldwide.
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