EXCHANGE STUDENT HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 EXCHANGE STUDENT HANDBOOK

2

3 (1) WELCOME, INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS! The UFJF community welcomes you our university. We are delighted that you have chosen to attend our Institution. Being an international student at UFJF is a great experience. The University was established more than 50 years ago and offers an inviting and stimulating environment with world-class research and high-quality teaching in a range of programs. This handbook is intended to give you important information you will need to prepare for your trip to Brazil, your stay in Juiz de Fora and your academic program at UFJF. We look forward to being a helpful part of your UFJF experience. Our best wishes for a successful and enjoyable stay!

4

5 PREPARING YOUR SEMESTER ABROAD (9) PASSPORT AND VISA All international students must obtain a valid passport and student visa (VITEM IV) before travelling to Brazil. You should apply for a passport as soon as you are accepted in the program, as the process can take several weeks. After receiving the Acceptance Letter from UFJF, you can apply for a student visa. Visa processing can take up to 30 (thirty) days. Information about the required documents for a visa application form can be found on the internet on the website of the Brazilian embassy in your country. The complete list of the Brazilian embassies and consulates around the world can be found at: Contact the Brazilian representatives in your country in advance and beware: after receiving your visa you have 90 (ninety) DAYS to enter the Brazilian territory. If you don t come to Brazil within this period, your visa will be no longer valid!

6 PREPARING YOUR SEMESTER ABROAD (9) PLANNING YOUR BUDGET Living comfortably in Juiz de Fora will require a monthly expense of approximately R$1,500. This value is related to rental costs (R$550 to R$900), bus rides (R$90), food (R$300) and books/ materials (R$100), among others. The living costs are based on the reported experience of previous exchange students, which include having a single room and internet access for example. Rent (including water, electricity and building maintenance fees) Bus fare Meal in the university restaurant (includes juice and dessert) Meal in self-service restaurants Movie ticket Study expenses (books and photocopies) R$550 to R$900 / month R$2,25 / ride R$1,40 / meal At least R$35 / kg or R$10 (fixed price) / meal R$6 to R$26 / ticket At least R$40 / month

7 PREPARING YOUR SEMESTER ABROAD HEALTH INSURANCE AND VACCINATION Students must insure themselves at their home countries. It s the students responsibility to contract with a health insurance service. Please check the insurance companies rules before leaving your country and bring some verification with you. Also, check the vaccinations you need in Brazil. We recommend you to take a yellow fever shot. There s no risk of getting yellow fever in Juiz de Fora, but it s necessary to be vaccinated if you intend to visit other parts of the country, especially rainforest areas and rivers of the Northern and Midwest regions. The vaccine against yellow fever is distributed for free by the local public medical departments of the Brazilian cities and should be taken 10 days before your trip to endangered areas to be protected in case you have not been vaccinated before. More information at: bvs/febreamarela/viajantes.php (9)

8 PREPARING YOUR SEMESTER ABROAD FINDING ACCOMMODATION We strongly recommend students to make a previous reservation in some type of accommodation before their arrival at Juiz de Fora, either temporary or permanent. The rental conditions vary, depending on the quality and location of the accommodation, between R$400 and R$900 per month. UFJF does not provide accommodation yet, but we suggest you look for accommodation in neighborhoods near UFJF. Popular neighborhoods for students: São Pedro, São Mateus, Centro, Cascatinha, Granbery You can also check websites and students support groups on social networks to help you find accommodation. (9)

9 PREPARING YOUR SEMESTER ABROAD (3) HOW TO GET TO JUIZ DE FORA From Rio de Janeiro You can go from Galeão (GIG) or Santos Dumont (SDU) Airports to the bus terminal Novo Rio by cab or the blue bus ( frescão ). The price by cab varies between R$40 and R$60. It s safer to take cabs that belong to cooperatives. The frescão bus (Real Auto Ônibus, Line 2018 Aeroporto Internacional do RJ/Alvorada) costs R$13. At the Novo Rio bus terminal, look for the company Útil, on the 2nd floor. Buses to Juiz de Fora depart every 1 hour or so. The fare ranges from R$39 to R$57 and the journey takes approximately 3 hours. For more information, check (6) From São Paulo By bus: buses to Juiz de Fora depart from Tietê bus terminal, with the company Cometa and tickets cost from R$94 to R$183. The journey takes around 9 hours. For more information, check

10 PREPARING YOUR SEMESTER ABROAD (8) By plane: the airlines Azul and Gol have flights to Juiz de Fora, departing from Viracopos International Airport (VCP) and Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Zona da Mata Regional Airport (IZA), in Goianá. They offer free bus service connecting all São Paulo Airports and there is also a private bus service from Goianá to Juiz de Fora. Check flight availability on their websites: and From Belo Horizonte By bus: to arrive at the bus terminal from Confins International Airport (CNF), you can take the bus lines 5250/5270 (R$8.70) or 5252/5271 (R$7.05). Buses to Juiz de Fora depart from Belo Horizonte bus terminal, with the company Atual and tickets cost from R$76 to R$89. We recommend you not to buy the PARADOR ticket, because the journey can last a lot longer. The usual journey takes around 4 hours. For more information, check By plane: the airline Gol offers flights to Juiz de Fora, departing from Confins International Airport (CNF) to Zona da Mata Regional Airport (IZA), in Goianá. Bus service from Goianá to Juiz de Fora is available. For more information, check If you buy your flight to Galeão (GIG) or Goianá (IZA) Airports, please check with us the availability of our airport pickup service. It s free of charge and we pick you up at the airport and bring you to your accommodation here.

11 PREPARING YOUR SEMESTER ABROAD PRE-DEPARTUE CHECKLIST Make sure you have a valid passport and it is valid for the duration of your stay. by UFJF. You have until the second week of classes to inform us about which courses you will attend. Apply for a student visa in the Brazilian Consulate. Purchase your flight ticket. Check whether you need any vaccinations. Organize financial arrangements to withdraw money in Brazil. Make all possible arrangements for your permanent accommodation in Juiz de Fora. Buy traveller s health insurance. Make a copy of all your important documents. Send to incoming.sri@ufjf.edu.br a copy of your visa, along with the information of your health We recommend you learn at least basic Portuguese and carry a dictionary. insurance. Choose the courses you intend to attend. In UFJF s website you can find a catalog of the courses offered Upon arrival in Brazil, you must register at the Federal Police. Attend to the International Office as soon as you arrive for further information.

12

13 FINALLY IN BRAZIL (10) REGISTRATION AT THE FEDERAL POLICE To be registered in Brazil, you must go to the Federal Police (PF) as soon as possible. If you do not do it within 30 days upon arrival, you will have to pay a daily fine. Here are the steps to register: 1. Fulfill the form. Go in click in Estrangeiro, then 4. Requerer registro e emissão/renovação de Cédula de Identidade de Estrangeiro and fulfill the form in the step 1.

14 FINALLY IN BRAZIL 2. Fulfill the Guias de Recolhimento da União. Go in click in Estrangeiro, then 4. Requerer registro e emissão/renovação de Cédula de Identidade de Estrangeiro then 3. Pessoas e entidades estrangeiras. Fulfill the data and demand the generation of the paying fees (GRUs), with the codes (R$64,58) and (R$124,23). Print and pay both pages in any bank branch. 3. Present yourself at the Federal Police. Book an appointment through the telephones +55 (32) or +55 (32) The PF office address is: Independência Shopping, Av. Itamar Franco, 3600/G2, Cascatinha. At the International Office we can help you in the process. If you have any difficulty, please contact us.

15 (4) FINALLY IN BRAZIL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN JF Each region in Juiz de Fora has different colors of buses. Many green buses pass through UFJF Campus. You need to sign for the driver to stop. To get out of the bus, you must pull the cord in the ceiling of the bus or press the red/orange button. A whistle will blow and the bus will stop in the next bus stop. Inside UFJF, free gray buses circulate from 8h30am to 5h30pm, Mon-Fri. The city bus lines that pass through UFJF Campus are: 525, 535, 545 or 555 Universidade 190 or 590 Zona Sul / UFJF / CAS 755 Zona Norte / UFJF 532 or 599 São Pedro 534 Santos Dumont 544 Recanto dos Brugger 547 Nossa Senhora de Fátima Adolpho Vireque via Jardim Casa Blanca / Morada do Serro 549 Nova Germânia 560 Av. Pres. Itamar Franco via Shopping There are two apps that inform you about all bus lines and its timetables. Download: Busão JF or CittaMobi.

16 FINALLY IN BRAZIL ENROLLMENT STEP BY STEP (10) 1. As soon as you get your Brazilian Visa (VITEM IV), send a scanned copy to incoming.sri@ufjf.edu.br. We will make your enrollment in UFJF and send you the student number as soon as it is generated. 2. Choose the courses you wish to attend at UFJF. The catalog with the available courses is in the site: 3. We recommend the exchange students to apply for 20 local credits per semester. Each credit at UFJF represents 15 hours/class. Check with your home university if you need a specific number of credits. 4. The grading system goes from 0-100, with minimal grade for approval of 60. Tests and homeworks are made in Portuguese. You must also attend at least 75% of each class to be approved. (10)

17 FINALLY IN BRAZIL 5. In the first day of classes we will do an Orientation Day at the International Office in which we will enlighten you on some procedures in and outside UFJF. 6. You have until the second Thursday of classes to hand us the sheet with the codes, the names and the classrooms of the courses that you will attend (ex: CAD845 Sociologia II Turma A). After this deadline, it will not be possible to alter the courses. 7. To access SIGA platform, go in sign in the login with the CPF that we will provide to you and the password or the date of your birth (DDMMYY). Change the password in your first access! 8. On SIGA platform you have access to your grades, academic calendar, courses descriptions, transcript of records, participation in cultural draws and much more. If you study here for more than one semester, you can also do the enrollment in the courses you wish to attend by yourself. (4)

18

19 (7) FINALLY IN BRAZIL INTERNATIONAL OFFICE The International Office is part of the University s Central Administration and supports and coordinates the UFJF international activities. We build and manage international collaborations and agreements, develop and promote international programs, provide information and logistical support for international students and scholars, help UFJF students/faculty/staff expand international opportunities that enrich research and learning, coordinate inward visits by overseas delegations, and work to increase the visibility of UFJF s international activities around the globe. Adress: Diretoria de Relações Internacionais Campus Universitário, at Centro de Vivência Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n - Bairro São Pedro CEP: Juiz de Fora - MG Telephone: +55 (32) incoming.sri@ufjf.edu.br

20

21 LEISURE AND CULTURE ABOUT JUIZ DE FORA Juiz de Fora is a large-sized city with over 600,000 inhabitants located in the Zona da Mata Mineira, Southeast of Minas Gerais. The city is known for its quality of life and is reference in sectors such as education, with more than twenty higher education institutions, including the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, and health, with a large network of medical and hospital care with an excellent service. Juiz de Fora is located among the major capitals of the Southeast: Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. So you have several options to get here. Most of UFJF students live in the city, which allows an intense social life in Juiz de Fora. Entertainment options are widely available for all tastes: theaters, cultural centers, museums, cinemas, restaurants, bars and night clubs. (5)

22 LEISURE AND CULTURE CLIMATE The altitude of 700 to 900 meters makes the weather in Juiz de Fora usually cooler and rainier than the lower surrounding areas. Juiz de Fora s climate is classified as a humid subtropical climate, with two distinct seasons, one hotter and rainier (October to April) and one cooler and drier (May to September). The average annual temperature is around 19 C (66 F), lowest 3ºC (37oF) and highest 36ºC (97oF). It is very humid with average humidity of 80%. People in Juiz de Fora like saying they experience the four seasons in the same day. Be prepared! (4)

23 (5) LEISURE AND CULTURE SOME TOURISTIC ATTRACTIONS IN JF Museu Mariano Procópio With about 50,000 pieces of art, it houses one of the biggest collections about the historic and cultural life during the colonial and imperial times, as well as collections from the Ancient Egypt, Greek culture and Middle Ages. The museum also has a botanic garden with a wide range of exotic and endangered plants. (2) Morro do Imperador Also known as Morro do Cristo, it is one of the main touristic points in Juiz de Fora. It offers a wonderful panoramic view of the city and whereabouts. The 505 Morro do Cristo bus line takes you on Sundays and holydays to the Cristo from the city centre.

24 LEISURE AND CULTURE (7) Cine-Theatro Central The biggest and most important theatre in the city, Theatro Central is a sensorial and aesthetic experience. Its architectonic construction impresses for the beauty and grandiosity and the acoustics enchant the artists who get on its stage. It receives well-renowned performers from all over Brazil and also abroad. ( Fórum da Cultura Fórum da Cultura is one of UFJF s cultural spaces that allows people of Juiz de Fora to be in contact with fine arts and stage theatre shows, along with the diffusion of folk culture and music. The house was built in 1920 in eclectic stile, with stained glass, staircase and ceilings in hardwood and a neatly made floor. Currently, the place houses the theatre group Divulgação, a folk culture museum, an art gallery and the University s choir. Divulgação was established in 1966 and nowadays is organized in three basic production nuclei: the University s students, high school students and the elderly. Run by professors and academics, the group s focus is on research in performing arts and has a systematic programming with plays, seminars and other events offered to the community. ( (7)

25 (7) LEISURE AND CULTURE Museu de Arte Murilo Mendes MAMM MAMM was created in 1976, after the city s renowned poet Murilo Mendes died. It houses his library and his visual arts collection. The museum aims the development scientific-cultural studies and actions guided by the principles of conservation, preservation and dissemination of bibliographic, documentary and visual arts collections. ( Centro Cultural Pró-Música Pró-Música propagates good music, trains musicians, researches and preserves Brazilian colonial music, among others. It helps making the city a storehouse for new talents. The centre is honored with the Cultural Merit Order award, recognition from the Brazilian presidency to the contributions made towards disseminating Brazilian culture domestically and abroad. ( (7)

26 LEISURE AND CULTURE (7) (2) (9) Calçadão da rua Halfeld Parque da Lajinha Cinemas It is one of the main streets in Juiz de Fora, with galleries that transform the city in a great open mall. The city s economy is boosted by the popular commerce. Calçadão is also important in its architectural ensemble. A great opportunity to be in contact with nature and to know a bit about Brazilian Mata Atlântica, the park has more than 860,000m2 with waterfalls, lake, cross-country and walking trails and gardens. Besides, the visitor can walk through history, seeing two former city trolleys, the sun clock and the gazebo. Juiz de Fora has four main cinema theatres in malls and at the city centre: UCI Kinoplex Independência Independência Shopping; Cinearte Palace Halfeld Street; Cine Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Shopping; and Espaço Alameda Cinema Alto dos Passos.

27 LEISURE AND CULTURE (9) (9) (9) Shoppings The city has 5 main malls: Independência, Alameda, Mister Shopping, Santa Cruz and Free Marechal Shopping, where you can find clothes, electronic devices, food plaza, bookstores, cinema theatres and game stations. Nightlife The nightlife is concentrated in pubs and nightclubs throughout the city. A local tradition is drinking and eating snacks with friends. The most bohemian neighborhoods in the city are Alto dos Passos, São Mateus, São Pedro and Jardim Glória. There are also nightclubs such as Privilége, Cultural Bar, Mansão e Bar da Fábrica. Craft beers The history of the craft beers in Juiz de Fora goes back to the period of the German colonization in the city, over 120 years ago. Recently, craft beer s lovers started to brew, in small scale, high quality beers in the city. Currently there are 11 brewers that commercialize and various hobbyists.

28 LEISURE AND CULTURE SEASON HOLIDAYS January 1st: New Years February 17th/2015 and 9th/2016: Carnival October 12th: Nossa Senhora Aparecida October 28th: Public Servants Day April 5th/2015 and 3rd/2016: Easter November 2nd: Remembrance Day April 21st: Tiradentes Day November 15th: Republic Day May 1st: Labor s Day December 25th: Christmas June 4th: Corpus Christi June 13th: Santo Antonio (city holiday) September 7th: Independence Day For information about events and the cultural programs in Juiz de Fora access

29 (5) LEISURE AND CULTURE TRAVEL IN MINAS GERAIS Minas Gerais has a rich tradition and history, with cities built during the Eighteenth Century s gold cycle that consolidated the colonization of the country. The most important artistic and architectural achievements of colonial Brazil are housed in its mining towns, especially Ouro Preto, Mariana, Diamantina, Congonhas, Tiradentes, Sabará and São João del Rei, which are all cities worth visiting. Near Juiz de Fora there are several options for tourism. It s possible to travel to the famous Minas Gerais historical cities, make contact with nature in environmental reserves like Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca or, if you prefer big cities, visit Rio de Janeiro. Be sure to visit in Minas Gerais the Instituto Cultural Inhotim (Brumadinho town), which brings together in one place a collection of Contemporary Art, Botanical Garden and actions of education, culture and citizenship. ( (7)

30

31 RETURNING TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY (9) BEFORE GOING BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY Some procedures that must be taken before returning to your country: Check on your SIGA platform whether your transcript is correct. If not, contact the International Office as soon as possible. We will send your signed transcript to your home university, as well as a digitalized copy to your . Request your professors s, in case you need some information later; Close your bank account (if you opened one in Brazil); Close your internet, telephone, cable television, electricity and water accounts, if you own them; Return books borrowed from UFJF library.

32 FAQ 1. What is CPF? Do I need to do it? How do I do it? All Brazilians have a CPF (something like Social Security Number in the USA). It allows you to do various operations, mainly financial ones, such as opening bank accounts, buying flight tickets, activating mobile phone accounts, among other daily activities. It is not compulsory to issue a CPF, but if you d like to do so, you can ask for it at the Brazilian Consulate or, once in Brazil, go to any Banco do Brasil or Correios agency, pay around R$5 and, by phone, make an appointment to retrieve your CPF card at the Internal Revenue Service. 2. Is it possible to open a Bank account in Brazil? Yes, it is possible to do so in the following banks: Banco do Brasil, Santander, Itaú, Bradesco or HSBC. We recommend you to check at the bank agency the necessary documents to open a bank account.

33 (4) 3. How do I do to have a mobile phone account? As a foreigner in Brazil you can cheaply purchase a prepaid phone number (GSM system). The major carriers in Brazil are Vivo, Claro, Tim, and Oi. To get a prepaid phone card it is necessary to show a CPF number (Vivo, Claro or Oi), or passport (Tim) or take a Brazilian friend with you to register the new phone number on his/her name. In general, we recommend you to choose the same carrier as your Brazilian friends since there are many offers for calls within the same carriers.

34

35 (4) THANK YOU! Thank you for your interest in our International Program. We are proud of our international students and their accomplishments, both during the exchange program and even more so in their professional lives. Do not hesitate to contact us at should you have any further questions. We will be happy to help! UFJF Community

36 FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF JUIZ DE FORA Headmaster Júlio Maria Fonseca Chebli Deputy Headmaster Marcos Vinício Chein Feres PEC-G Program Coordinator Carla Visentin International Public Relations José Renato N. Lima International Agreements Coordinator Vítor Hugo Terra HANDBOOK CREDITS Writing and Data Synthesis Rossana C. N. Melo José Renato N. Lima Clarissa Campos Figueirôa Hugo Nogueira Rocha Eliene Thiermann Duque INTERNATIONAL OFFICE Dean of International Relations Rossana C. N. Melo General Coordinator Tiago Timponi Torrent Executive Secretary Vítor Hugo Terra Pedro F. D. Rocha Special Programs Coordinator Arlene Audi Brasil Gazêta Incoming Exchange Programs Coordinators Hugo Nogueira Rocha Clarissa Campos Figueirôa Events Coordinator Valéria Borges Costemalle Acknowledgements The International Office receives collaboration from professors, researchers and university employees that work in various sectors, including the agreements coordination and selection boards. Revision Hugo Nogueira Rocha Pedro F. D. Rocha José Renato Lima Tiago Timponi Torrent Layout Milena Dibo Photography Amanda Fogaça (1), Carlos Mendonça (2), Chensiyuan (3), Géssica Leine (4), Gil Velloso (5), Júlio Boaro (6), Natália Ferreira (7), Public domain (8), Shutterstock (9), Stefânia Sangi (10) Outgoing Exchange Program Coordinator Thiago Coelli - January