Brazil is a huge, diverse, and interesting country. It's fully half of South America, whether measured in terms of geography, population, or economy. It could be a great place to spend some time developing your skills and adding to your CV. Consider studying Portuguese before you come to Brazil for your internship, as it's likely to be a requirement for your work, and you'll need it in day-to-day dealings.
What constitutes an internship?
This article discusses unpaid internships. If you're seeking a paid position, review Expat.com's articles about work visas and also general guidelines for working in Brazil. The visas required and application processes are different for paid and unpaid work.
Students (undergraduates, graduates, or postgraduates) who wish to intern in Brazil will need to apply for what is termed a VITEM IV (student and intern) visa, which costs around $160. To see who's eligible to apply and the requirements, visit the Brazilian government's site. Those seeking paid internships will need to apply for a different visa, termed a VITEM V.
The process
While the applicant will need to submit several documents, these are fairly standard. However, they may vary a bit from situation to situation, and the agencies involved may sometimes request additional documentation.
Note that the internship must relate directly to the applicant's current field of study. Also, as internships are unpaid, applicants will need to have sufficient funds to support themselves during their time in Brazil and to provide proof of this capability. The applicant must also secure medical insurance for the period they'll be in Brazil.
Once in Brazil, the applicant must register at a branch of the federal police. This is a formality but should be observed.
Important:
The application process is somewhat different for internships of 120 days or less, and those of more than 120 days. More specifically, an internship of under 120 days would fall under the VITEM IV visa.
Find an internship
Internships can be in a broad range of fields, from business to cultural studies. But again, they must relate to the applicant's field of study.
To find an internship, you can visit job websites, blogs, and forums, or consult hiring agencies. The LinkedIn network also offers great help in job search and training worldwide. You can also contact the Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Brazil, or the Brazilian chamber of commerce or economic missions in your country. The websites below also list internships currently available.
Tips for interns
Brazilian universities require their students to take on internships, and Brazilian companies prefer to hire local, so competition can be fierce. You might have a better time trying multinational companies instead, especially since they're more likely to speak English in the workplace.
Also, the majority of internships won't include housing. So many sure you arrange for that before you arrive in Brazil.
Useful links:
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