Portuguese Language and Culture in São Pedro da Aldeia, Brazil

Dates: January 2 - 23, 2025  |  Credits: 6

Learn Portuguese and the culture of one of the most beautiful and historically significant coastal cities in southeast Brazil. São Pedro da Aldeia, founded in 1617, is located in the Lake Region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, two and a half hours outside of the city of Rio. São Pedro is situated on Lake Araruama, one of the largest saltwater lakes in the world. Before visiting the famous Galapagos Islands, Charles Darwin explored Brazil’s Lake Region. His journey through the region is documented in a chapter of The Voyage of the Beagle. Darwin’s path is memorialized throughout the area, including a marker in the center of São Pedro da Aldeia. This city of São Pedro da Aldeia grew around the salt industry as is showcased in the Museu do Sal. The landscape is still dotted with picturesque windmills, which were used in the process of salt production. Today the city is popular for its eco-tourism: calm lake beaches, aquatic sports, hiking trails, gastronomy, and cultural historical sites, including the Casa dos Azulejos, Casa da Flor, Trilha dos Cardeiros and the Igreja Matriz built by Jesuits in the 1600s.

In this study abroad program, students will be immersed in the Portuguese language in classroom activities, cultural sightseeing, and interaction with the local community.  Students will learn about the arts, culture, history, and literature of São Pedro da Aldeia and the Lake Region of Brazil.
The program is led and taught by Dr. Regina Castro McGowan, Director of the Minor in Portuguese Language and Lusophone Cultures at The City College of New York.

 Before you go check the helpful links below:      

Center for Disease Control- Check for any travel notices. U.S. Department of State International Travel- Learn more about your destination.