Study Abroad Programs in Florianopolis, Brazil

Florianopolis is island living and cosmopolitan vibes all wrapped into one glorious study abroad experience. To help you sort out more of the particulars when it comes to Florianopolis study abroad, check out what else you have to decide to wrap into your study abroad package in Floripa:

Popular subjects to study. A city as dynamic as Florianopolis boasts a variety of subjects for students to study abroad. Of course, Portuguese comes in as one of the most popular subjects to study. Coming in hot on its tail are the highly relevant studies of economics and politics due to Brazil’s status in the global economy. Followed closely behind are natural resource management and environmental studies for those who are keen on getting their hands dirty in the lush landscape of Floripa.  

Short term and summer programs vs. long term programs (semester, trimester, year-long). Deciding how long to study abroad in Florianopolis can sometimes be the most difficult piece of the puzzle to put together. Many students choose to get their feet wet short term and summer programs, while others opt to dive in for the total immersive experience and go for semester or even year-long study abroad programs. 

Attending universities vs. other program types. Brazil is home to many world-ranked universities and some of the best educational institutes in South America. Studying abroad in Florianopolis at one of these bad boys will definitely give your resume a nice luster. Other readily available options include studying with a program through your home university or through a third party program that grants college credit (just make sure it’s transferrable!). If you decide Portuguese is your jam during Florianopolis study abroad, you might even consider heading straight to a language school.

When the bell rings and it’s time to break out of the classroom and explore, Floripa sets the stage for numerous outdoor adventures against a backdrop of powdery white sand beaches, rolling mountains, and verdant rainforest. If you prefer to roam in the heart of Floripa, there is no lack of adventure to be had in the energetic, rhythmic-filled metropolis that hosts a vibrant cultural and university life. 

Florianopolis study abroad offers up something for everyone. In the city, a bustling commercial core, charming fishing villages teeming with fresh seafood at trendy waterfront eateries, some of the best museums and cultural attractions in Brazil, and of course the opportunity to blow off some steam dancing the samba while watching the sun set over the bay. For those who prefer an off-the-beaten-path escapade, pristine beaches with countless water activities (there's a lake AND an ocean!), untouched nature reserves, and mountain trails will be a figurative and literal breathtaking experience.

Florianopolis has consistently ranked as one of Brazil’s top five safest cities for ten years running. Be sure to hit this selling point hard when you petition the Bank of Mom and Dad. Of course, traveling abroad always has its risks, but as long as you use common sense (e.g. avoid walking around alone at night and flaunting valuables), your safety won’t be much of an issue in a city like Florianopolis. 

English is a little harder to come by in Floripa and Portuguese may sound like…well…a different language at first. But the truth is—Portuguese is not so difficult for a native English speaker to learn. The grammar and sentence structure are different from English, but simpler. Plus, if you have a little Spanish under your belt, it’s not so difficult to train your ear to pick up the sounds and accents.

Studying abroad in Florianopolis is a rare opportunity to discover the beauty of a unique culture that is different from the mainland, yet still exclusive to Brazil. So what are you waiting for? Study abroad in Florianopolis—a beautiful sub-tropical and safe island packed with some of South America’s most prestigious universities (okay, okay, enough arm-twisting!).

Read our comprehensive guide on studying abroad in Brazil.