Brazilian students approved to study in Italy under Ciência sem Fronteiras can count on extra help to adapt to the country – an Italian language course. As soon as they arrive in Europe, they attend an intensive Italian language training course that lasts 5 weeks and will take place in 2014 with support from Instituto TIM, amongst other enterprises. The students who take the course will also have the opportunity to spend time as trainees with TIM, in Brazil, on their return. Since 2013, at least 2,000 Brazilians have taken part in the Ciência sem Fronteiras in Italy.
Created by the Federal Government in 2011, the program is a joint initiative from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) and the Ministry of Education (MEC). Through the program, Brazilian academics and researchers receive scholarships to study in universities in over 25 countries, especially in the fields of science and technology. The program’s aim is that 101,000 undergraduate and graduate students improve their academic training abroad by 2015.
Before being approved, candidates interested in studying in Italy undergo a battery of tests that also involve performance in the Italian language. Those who have difficulties take part in a 100-hour online course whilst still in Brazil. Those who are approved to the program, but who still have some difficulties with the language, take part in the training supported by Instituto TIM. The Italian course is taken at the university itself, where the candidates will perform their research.
