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Brazil has a great and awesome tropical vibe. With such beauty and natural allures thousands of college students are drawn here every semester to study abroad. Founded in 1553, this country is inhabited by mostly Portuguese speaking inhabitants. In the last 400 or so years this wondrous place has gone from a bunch of scattered villages to a major import/export hub and industry mecca. Sao Paulo is a very cool city in Brazil to see and explore. It is the third largest city in South America and the largest in Brazil. With a little over 300 million people living here it is a great place to study abroad. The mix of cultures and styles is reason enough to come.

Sao Paulo Pictures

Things to do in Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is the art capital of Brazil. With that in mind there are endless pieces of art and masterpieces that can only be found here. The Museo de Arte Sacra & Jardim da Luz has the best collection of colonial art and artifacts. A labyrinthine baroque monastery built in the 1800s can be found here along with some other really interesting things. There are many nature walks and great areas of the city that are especially nice by foot to see. Ibirapuera Park has 1.5 million square meters of land that is nice for running and jogging or biking. Banespa Tower has an observation deck with a spectacular view of the city. There are also plenty of city tours, events and festivals, and amusement parks to give anyone a reason to visit.

Nightlife in Sao Paulo

Just like any other major city in South America, Sao Paulo has an incredible nightlife. There is always something going on or crazy to see and do. Cachaça or a caipirinha are taken in shot glasses. Chopp is beer and will only cost you roughly $2 – $5. As far as clubs are concerned, there is a little something for all tastes. From the traditional salsa and meringue music to rock and hip hop, Sao Paulo has it all. Be careful because the clubs can get a bit expensive and most have entrance fees. However there are so many options for nightlife there will always be something to do. The bars and pubs are always bustling and some have special events and features, so keep your eye out for them.

Colleges and Classes in Sao Paulo

University of Sao Paulo, Uniao Cultural Brasil-Estados Unidos, and Senac Sao Paulo are all located here. There are excellent Portuguese language programs here as well as some other pretty cool schools for study abroad. Your home university should have a list of sister schools that they send students to. This will also help with transferring credits back to your home school. While in Sao Paulo, look into taking a Brazil history course or colonial or primitive art course. There is always something new and interesting to learn while here, so why not take advantage of all the possibilities?

Travel From Sao Paulo

The Paulista Coast is known for its excellent seafood and gorgeous beaches. Plus it’s only one hour travel time from Sao Paulo. It makes for a nice weekend getaway for students. São Sebastião is also nearby and a perfect place for a little R&R and fun in the sun. Two hours away high up in the mountains of Brazil, Campos do Jordao is a more upscale place to visit. Every year there is a festival in July that attracts many tourists. Right next to Sao Paulo, Embu das Artes is best known for its local artists and cute shops. There are so many other incredible places to visit around Sao Paulo, you may not even get to them all.

Sao Paulo Study Abroad Tips

• There are several pay by the hour internet cafes located throughout the city.
• The primary language is Portuguese, followed by Spanish in Sao Paulo.
• Some parts of the city should be traveled in groups at night, so be careful.