Last Maymester, 16 students and faculty embarked on the University’s first study abroad in Brazil, the largest country in South America.

The Ecology, Crop and Soil Sciences and Agriculture departments will sponsor the second Brazilian study abroad in May 2001.

According to Rosa Guedes, a visiting Crop and Soil Science faculty member from Brazil, the group will depart from Atlanta on May 14, and arrive in Recife, Brazil, a city and seaport in northeastern Brazil.

Once in Recife, sometimes called the Venice of America, the students and accompanying faculty will stay in a four-star hotel, Guedes said.

Studying in conjunction with Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, the students will study fields such as ecology, anthropology and geography.

BRAZILIAN STUDY ABROAD

When & Where: Maymester 2001, Recife, Brazil

Information: For more information, contact Rosa Guedes at (rguedes@sparc.ecology.uga.edu) "In Brazil, the students will experience not only cultural diversity, but ecological diversity — from semi-arid vegetation to a taste of the rain forest," Guedes said.

The itinerary for the trip also will contain a trip to Brennand Art Museum on May 25 and free time on the beach at Porto de Galinhas on May 26, according to the Web site.

On May 30, the tour will depart at 12:40 a.m. from Recife and arrive at Hartsfield airport in Atlanta by mid-afternoon.

Total cost of the trip will be between $1,600 and $2,000, including round-trip airfare from Atlanta, lodging, breakfast, visa and several other expenses.

Allison Hogan, a senior from Dacula who traveled with the program last year, said the trip is one that is "not to be missed."

"This is a great experience because it is more toward folks on South Campus — scientific folks," she said. "There are many (study abroad programs) with literary and artistic draws, but there are not many for agriculture and ecology students."

Guedes agrees the scientific opportunities are the largest advantage of this particular study abroad.

"These students have the chance to study tropical agriculture in natural environments," she said.

Hogan said the experience was one of the best of her life.

"I would do it again in a heartbeat," Hogan said.

And because of reactions such as this from last year’s Brazil study abroad alumni, the program is blossoming in popularity.

Already, five students from the University of Michigan and one from Vermont have registered for the 2001 program.

A $500 deposit is due the first week of March for those planning to travel with the group.