International Service Learning.

Transform Education Through Real-World Experiences

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How it works?

What Is Service Learning

For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.” – Aristotle

 

International Service Learning combines community service and reflection during study abroad.
Students engage in meaningful learning during alternative spring breaks — fun, but focused on civic commitment and social awareness. Brazilian Experience customizes the program to meet your institution’s goals.
It’s a chance to go beyond tourism, experience life in a developing community, and discover how much one can contribute through cooperation.

Learning and Impact

Our mission is to benefit students and empower local communities through quick, high-impact actions that foster sustainable development.
Our methodology prepares all involved — students, hosts, NGOs — to build mutual respect and deep collaboration.
It’s a chance to learn, help, reflect, and grow by applying academic knowledge in real-life settings. Service learning links theory and practice, while also strengthening personal skills.

Our Methodology

Students travel with a professor and a Brazilian Experience leader, ensuring a safe, supervised experience.
Our team facilitates the learning process using group dynamics, reflections, artwork, and movement exercises to help students process their experience.
We design each journey to foster collaboration, human development, and transformation. Director Rafaela Rolim brings expertise in facilitation and community engagement with an anthroposophic approach.
We partner with faculty to support the group’s development and help them implement their own ideas — creating an environment that enhances and multiplies learning.

What We Offer

The program is tailored to your goals. We provide:

 

• Personalized itinerary
• Service project setup
• Activities and reflection sessions
• Access to host universities and classrooms
• Study-related site visits (if needed)
• Housing, transport, meals
• Excursions
• Cultural workshops (Samba, Capoeira, Culinary)
• Bilingual local leader
• Mobile phone for faculty leader

 

 

Why choose Brazilian Experience?

The gains are many — starting with personal development.
Participants work in groups, building creativity, initiative, empathy, and responsibility.
They discover new skills, grow spiritually, improve communication, and see they can make a real difference.
Professionally, they gain real-world exposure and connect with local organizations.
Socially, they break stereotypes, understand diverse realities, and develop a genuine will to help.

Testimonials

Dear Be, you have forever changed my life and will forever be a part of my heart and soul! More than anything I want to come back to Brazil to live and to work! Thank you so much and please do not lose touch with us! In such a short time you have helped me fall in love with this country. I miss you all! The colors in life look more brilliant and beautiful than they ever have before thank to you! My life is forever more vibrant thanks to you and this amazing experience! I will hold on to these memories forever! Thank you for the bottom depths of my heart and soul!

Related posts:

  1. Cheyann Stevens, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015
  2. Gabrielle Sniff, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015
  3. Tanisha Jaynes, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015
  4. Elizabeth Redman, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015

Ashley Dunham, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015

Wow, what an experience! Traveling to Brazil has been the time of my life. This is a trip of a lifetime, one I will never forget. I will carry these memories with me forever. Thank you Brazilian Experience!

Related posts:

  1. Ashley Dunham, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015
  2. Tanisha Jaynes, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015
  3. Elizabeth Redman, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015
  4. Gabrielle Sniff, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015

Cheyann Stevens, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015

Going to the island was my favorite part. They were all so loving and welcoming. And I loved how we had time to play with the kids.

Related posts:

  1. Sydney Wendels, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015
  2. Bailey Stark, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015
  3. Bailey Stark, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015
  4. Tanisha Jaynes, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015

Sydney Wendels, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015

Where do I even start? The minute I made eye contact with the staff, after stepping off the plane, was pure happiness! The experience I had with this company was well, beyond words. I truly cannot thank you guys enough! This experience was mind blowing and one I hope to never forget! Thank you so much!

Related posts:

  1. Cheyann Stevens, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015
  2. Tanisha Jaynes, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015
  3. Ashley Dunham, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015
  4. Sydney Wendels, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015

Elizabeth Redman, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015

Going into the village (São Miguel) was an experience I’ll never forget! Comming to Brazil I didn’t know what to expect. I was completely unaware of the challenges and love were about to receive, this trip to Brazil only makes me want more. Love you Brazil!

Related posts:

  1. Cheyann Stevens, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015
  2. Elizabeth Redman, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015
  3. Ashley Dunham, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015
  4. Gabrielle Sniff, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015

Tanisha Jaynes, American, Social Work Student, NMC in 2015

Frequently Asked Questions

What will Brazilian Experience (BE) do for me, my faculty and my students?

Brazilian Experience will organize everything for you and your students, from planning the trip until your group returns home. Once you get in contact with us, we will discuss your goals and expectations of the program. Then, we will suggest an itinerary and a service activity. You will be able to participate in this process as much as you want. You can add or exclude visits and trips to other places, the program will be customized at your discretion.

Once the itinerary is defined we will assist you with the documents to obtain a Brazilian visa. Once in Brazil, a BE staff member will always accompany you in your activities and trips, this will also help you with the language barrier.

Brazilian Experience leaders will also act as facilitators to engage students, promote reflection about values, feelings and skills, aiming to enhance their learning process through experiential activities and evolve the students’ abilities to add not only to the community visited but also to those back home.

So, from the planning stages to departure we will provide you full support.

Brazilian 

Brazilian Experience will customize the program according to your institution learning objectives. Although, there are common outcomes for all itineraries. By completing the activities, the students will have learned to:

 

  • Look beyond judgments and preconceptions;
  • Listen actively and look appreciatively;
  • Admit their own power and develop proactive attitudes to promote change;
  • Recognize the talents of the people around them and their own;
  • Establish connections of mutual trust and benefit;
  • Discover common goals and dreams in a group;
  • Improve their relationship with people and the environment;
  • Mobilize people towards a common objetive.

The lenght of a Service Learning program is very flexible. We recommend 7-14 days, so  that students will have enough time to perform all activities and get to see and enjoy a little bit of Brazil and its culture.

BE will customize the itinerary according to your goals. It could be one-week during Spring break, J-Term or longer.

The program fee depends on the itinerary, how many students will join, the duration of the program and the locations which will be visted.

 

Send us an email and we will reply with detailed information about the costs.

Normally the trip is budgeted for a minimum group of 10 students.

Normally the students will be accompanied by a teacher or a representative from the University. Depending on the number of students, the person responsible for them will not have to pay to join the program. Once they get here, they will also be with a Brazilian Experience leader, who will assist during the whole trip.

No, it is not necessary to speak Portuguese. As soon as the group arrives in Brazil, there will be someone who speaks English to help and assist during the entire program.

American students and faculty, applying for a short stay program, should generally apply for a tourism visa. Some Europeans are exempt from the visa requirement as it is granted upon arrival in Brazil and they are allowed to stay in the country for 90 days.

Brazilian Experience will provide an invitation letter if requested by the consulate or embassy.

On average, we ask for 1-2 weeks to prepare a proposal, as we need to contact the local providers (hotel, transportation, university, etc.) for the most up-to-date costs, according to your expected travel dates.

After the schedule approval and adjustments we will write a detailed itinerary including information about the places to be visited, pictures, and a final budget.

Brazilian Experience head-office is located in Curitiba, six hours south of São Paulo. We also have local coordinators in Rio de Janeiro and Florianópolis. We are able to organize activities and visits in different Brazilian cities.

As locals, we believe we can assure you the best Brazilian Experience.

Most universities prefer to offer their own travel insurance to their students, but if necessary we can include insurance in the program.

This is up to the university, on our side it is not necessary to have more than one faculty chaperoning the group. If we have bigger groups we will also include additional B.E. staff members to ensure all the participants have the proper attention and support.

American students and faculty, applying for short stay program, should generally apply for a tourism visa. Some Europeans are exempt from the visa requirement as it is granted upon arrival in Brazil and they are allowed to stay in the country for 90 days.

Brazilian Experience will provide an invitation letter if requested by the consulate or embassy.

Brazilian Experience offers 24/7 support. Our staff is always available and can be reached via mobile phone should you need assistance in an emergency. Please note during the trip our staff will also chaperone your group in every activity and excursion.

Get in Touch

Let’s create meaningful change—together.

Empower your students through real-world learning, cultural immersion, and impactful service.
Brazil is waiting for your next journey. Let’s co-create a program that inspires growth, connection, and transformation.

 

Contact us today and start building your Service Learning experience.

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