Mentoring and Language Acquisition in Brazil – January 2012

"Brazil’s president, Dilma Rousseff, recently announced the goal of offering 75 thousand scholarships to Brazilians seeking to study in foreign universities by 2014. There is a talented young pool of students in Brazil with incredible life stories, overwhelming potential and an admirable eagerness to take advantage of the chance to study abroad. A large percentage of the most talented candidates, however, lack sufficient English language ability and direct contact with inspiring role models who understand what it takes to make it to a place like Harvard. The Mentoring and Language Acquisition in Brazil (MLAB) program aims to help eliminate those barriers for the next generation of Brazil’s leaders while simultaneously providing Harvard College students a unique cultural immersion experience in one of the most vibrant and forward-thinking countries on the planet.

During this program, which will take place for the first time in São Paulo in January 2012, 15 carefully-selected Harvard College students will work to inspire 15 exceptional young Brazilians through one-on-one college prep mentorship, focused group discussions, and fun hands-on activities. The Brazilian students from around the country will be chosen with the help of local partners established by Harvard’s DRCLAS Brazil Office over the past five years. They will be chosen based on their extraordinary commitment to learning, demonstrated resolve to overcome socioeconomic obstacles, and ability -- with mentoring -- to successfully apply to and succeed in top-tier international university programs. Outside of their English-language mentorship role, Harvard students will live with Brazilian host families, participate in cultural outings and activities and have two hours of Portuguese-language instruction per day.

MLAB will have a need-blind admissions process. Our goal is for travel and program costs not to present a barrier to participation for any of the 15 Harvard College applicants who demonstrate exceptional energy, commitment and the ability to inspire highly deserving Brazilian mentees. The DRCLAS Brazil Office is currently working with our partners and alumni base to make this possible.

Program Dates: January 4-20, 2012

Application Deadline: October 17, 2011. The online application will be made available in mid-September.

Eligibility: This program is intended for Harvard College students with beginner or early-intermediate Portuguese language skills. A minimum of one semester of Portuguese language study prior to participation is preferred.

More Information: If you are interested in the program, please send an e-mail to brazil_office@harvard.edu with your full name, class year, and house affiliation (or freshman dorm)".

Fonte: Havard University