BRAZIL STUDIES

Visiting Scholars Program

COLLEGE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

The UNIVERSITY of OKLAHOMA
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
As part of its growing interest in Brazil, the University of Oklahoma (OU) is proud to announce an innovative
Visiting Scholars Program focused on scholars, graduate students and practitioners working in all areas of
Brazil’s social, economic, political, institutional and cultural development. The program will be coordinated
and led by Dr. Fabio de Sa e Silva and Dr. Michelle Morais, faculty members at the OU College of
International Studies and co-directors of OU’s Brazil Studies Program.

A cohort of up to 10 Scholars will be selected for each academic year. These Scholars will have access to OU’s
libraries and facilities and will participate in a biweekly “Brazil Studies Forum,” where they will have a chance
to present their work-in-progress to peers and receive feedback from OU faculty members. They may also
audit up to two classes each semester and be asked to contribute to Brazil-related activities on campus.

The program fee is $3,000 USD per Visiting Scholar per semester. The fee covers expenses with program
management, materials and handouts, guest speaker honoraria, receptions, mentoring, certification, and J1
visa-processing services.

Scholars are eligible for OU housing ($2,813 USD per person per semester) and meal plans, which should
make their stay in Norman extremely affordable.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a formal phone interview. Selected candidates will receive an
invitation by mid-May (Fall intake) and late-September (Spring intake).

Applications

Applications will be received twice a year, by the following deadlines:

• April 29, for candidates who would like to join the program in the Fall
(mid-August to mid-December).
• August 30, for candidates who would like to join the program in the Spring
(late-January to mid-May).

All prospective Visiting Scholars must submit an application form and the following supporting materials:

• Resume (in English)

• One Letter of Recommendation (in English)

The U.S. State Department requires that OU ensure that visitors’ English language proficiency will permit day-
to-day functioning and allow for a productive experience while here. Preference is given to applicants with
standardized test scores equivalent to the TOEFL 100/250/600 range.

Applicants with no standardized test scores may instead provide English-proficiency certification from their
home institutions. If you are not reporting a test score as part of your application, you may list the name of an
institution that will certify your English proficiency if you are selected. Applicants who have completed one or
more academic degrees in the Anglo-American world need no certification.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
The College of International Studies (CIS) was officially created in January 2011 as a reflection of President
David L. Boren’s vision of advancing international educational opportunities for all OU students. Today
CIS houses the Dean’s Staff, the academic Department of International and Area Studies, the Office of
Education Abroad, the Office of International Student Services, three International Study Centers in Brazil,
Italy and Mexico, and a number of other international institutes and centers. Together, these various offices,
departments and centers work to provide a range of opportunities for students to learn about the global
community in which they live.

Core Values

• OU community and CIS family

• Global engagement, citizenship and fluency
• Cultural respect and tolerance
• Curiosity and lifelong learning

Vision
To be a national center of excellence and innovation for international education.

Our Mission Statement

The mission of the College of International Studies is to expand the OU international experience and develop
compassionate, open minded citizens and leaders by enhancing global engagement and educational oppor-
tunities.

The Department of International and Area Studies

The Department of International and Area Studies (IAS) offers seven undergraduate degrees to approximately
360 majors and minors, and an MA in International Studies with 40 students enrolled. The Department has 20
full-time faculty with collective research strengths in the areas of development, security and national identity.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
Created by the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a doctoral degree-
granting research university serving the educational, cultural, economic and health-care needs of the state,
region and nation. The Norman campus serves as home to all of the university’s academic programs except
health-related fields. OU enrolls more than 30,000 students, has more than 2,800 full-time faculty members,
and has 21 colleges offering 171 majors at the baccalaureate level, 152 majors at the master’s level, 79 majors
at the doctoral level, 32 majors at the doctoral professional level and 35 graduate certificates. The university’s
annual operating budget is $941 million. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

http://soonerway.ou.edu http://www.ou.edu/flipbook (PDF)

ABOUT NORMAN, OKLAHOMA
The city of Norman is a thriving college town with a population of almost 120,000. Norman is home to a
number of annual events that bring the town together to enjoy locally made art, music and food. With a
thriving music scene, the Norman Music Festival is held in historic downtown each Spring, featuring artists
like Ra Ra Riot, Cloud Nothings and Caleb McGee. Each month, residents can browse shops, art galleries
and local restaurants at the Second Friday Art Walk. Campus Corner, located conveniently next to the OU’s
Campus, features boutique shopping and delicious restaurants offering a variety of food, including specialty
chocolates, authentic Vietnamese food, locally roasted coffee and homemade pasta dishes.

For those who enjoy the great outdoors, Norman boasts a number of parks such as Legacy Trail, where
residents can run, walk or bike alongside historic artwork; Sutton Wilderness, a wooded area that is ideal for
trail running; or Lion’s Park, where residents are welcome to participate in weekly ‘Yoga in the Park’ classes.
Named a Bicycle Friendly City, Norman has a thriving community of cyclists and hosts the annual “Norman
Conquest” bike ride. View the artwork of Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet and an impressive collection of
Native American art free of charge at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, located on OU’s stunning campus.
Also named one of the “Top College Sports Towns” by Forbes magazine, enjoy tailgating and a variety of
activities across town on game days!

Boomer Sooner!
ABOUT OKLAHOMA CITY
A constantly growing city, Oklahoma City has much to offer University of Oklahoma students. Home
to the Thunder basketball team and the newly established soccer club, Energy FC, students can
enjoy professional athletics just a short drive from campus. The bustling districts of Oklahoma City
cater to a wide variety of interests. Enjoy entertainment in the Paseo Arts or Plaza Districts, ride the
historic Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel in the Wheeler District, grab dinner in one of Midtown’s many
restaurants or go river rafting in the OKC Boathouse District. If you have a taste for local history, visit
the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

Walk through the Myriad Gardens to browse exotic plant life or take part in weekly activities offered
on their lawns, like dancing, yoga, outdoor movies and concerts or ice skating during the holidays.
See the OKC Broadway series at the Civic Center Music Hall or see works of art and foreign films at
the Museum of Art. Home to a number of local breweries, coffee roasters and restaurants, Oklahoma
City has endless options when it comes to food and drink. We cannot forget about all the street
festivals and fairs throughout the year, such as the Holiday Pop-Up Shops, the deadCenter Film
Festival, and of course, the Oklahoma State Fair in the fall.