Living arrangements
Juiz de Fora
Two types of student housing are available in Juiz de Fora. Both choices are comfortable and offer opportunities to get to know Brazilians and to practice Portuguese:
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Host family stay - Students who opt for a family stay receive a questionnaire in which they can state their preferences (pets, diet, children, smoking, etc.). Staff at the Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF) International Relations Office (known as the CRI) carefully chooses the families through a process that includes an interview. Students are matched with the family prior to arrival and encouraged to get in touch with their hosts through letters or e-mails to begin forging a meaningful relationship.
- Apartment rental - Students may also opt to rent a room in a “República,” which is a room in a shared apartment in town. Living expenses and household responsibilities are shared with 5-7 other students, who are primarily Brazilian, but the group may include international students. Repúblicas typically contract with a maid to do cleaning and shopping and to cook a main meal six days a week. A list of recommended Repúblicas is available from the CRI upon arrival to those who chose this option.
The cost for either of these housing options varies between $150-250 per month, and usually includes breakfast, one other meal, and laundry. Bus fare to the university campus and the third meal are the other principal budget items for students.
Brasília
Students will stay in an apartment building on-campus that is reserved for international students, graduate students, and some faculty. There will typically be two students per room, with 3 or 4 bedrooms per apartment. The apartments include fresh bed linens and towels each week. The cost is R$600 per month (R$20 per day), which is approximately $300-$350 per month in US dollars. Placements will be made by the International Relations office at the Universidade de Brasília (UnB).
Purchasing lunch or dinner on-campus typically costs R$2.20 per meal, and the apartments are also furnished with kitchens. There are also other food options on and around the campus.