In 2013, under the leadership of Dr. Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman (USF) and Dr. Javier Escudero (Brazil Cultural – http://www.brazilcultural.com/index.htm), USF in Brazil inaugurated a new summer abroad program to Salvador, Bahia, Brazil! Undergraduate and graduate students from USF, FSU, UF, UC San Diego, Howard, and Northwestern came together to participate in a 4-week experience in Salvador. Salvador is a UNESCO Heritage, located in the northeastern region of Brazil, and it is characterized by a unique blend of African, European, and Indigenous cultures. In 2014, with a mini-grant from the USF Office of Community Engagement & Partnerships, we welcomed a new group students to the program and launched a service-learning component to the program.
This program offers an intensive four week summer home stay program with an emphasis on service-learning with organizations such as Instituto Steve Biko and Quilombo Ilha. In addition, there are several excursions to nearby towns (Cachoeira, Praia do Forte, and the Island of Itaparica) as well as opportunities to participate in cultural activities such as capoeira and meet leaders of civil society organizations. We welcome both graduate and undergraduate students from across the country to participate. There is no cost to apply, but space is open on a first-come, first-serve basis.