Georgia State University has renewed its application to host Brazilian students in its intensive English program through a Brazilian government-sponsored scholarship initiative.
Formerly called Science Without Borders, the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program aims to send 100,000 Brazilian students to the world’s top universities for one year to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
In 2012, GSU became accepted as a host institution. Since fall 2013, Brazil’s government has paid two semesters of full out-of-state tuition for each of the 45 Brazilian students that have come to Georgia State through the program. Most have used their year of study in the intensive English program to improve their language skills en route to programs at Georgia State or other universities in the science, technology, engineering and math (or STEM) fields.
Mandy Ruiz, the university’s Brazil initiatives coordinator, believes this program will foster diversity and make GSU a more internationally oriented campus.
“Domestic students are more globally competent because they have exposure to international students from Brazil in their classrooms, living together in the residence halls, and participating on student groups,” Ms. Ruiz said, adding that the program would strengthen GSU’s STEM programs.
The has also attracted international media attention for GSU. ISTOE, a Brazilian magazine, profiled Georgia State in its inaugural college publication highlighting American universities.
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