The studies abroad exchange program between New Mexico State University (NMSU) and the Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei (UFSJ) started in the summer of 2006.  I originally designed this program to offer students from NMSU and UFSJ the opportunity to study, live and travel abroad.  For our pilot program, I took a group of thirteen NMSU students from the departments of art, anthropology, government and journalism to Brazil.  During this six-week program, students had the opportunity to learn about the unique baroque and rococo art and architecture of eighteenth-century Minas Gerais.  Dr. Paul Huntsberger, assistant director of NMSU Center for International Programs, was instrumental in helping to organize this program.

We are grateful to our UFSJ partners and special thanks goes to Dr. Helvécio Luiz Reis, president, Dr. Adelaine LaGuardia Resende, coordinator of the exchange program, and Dr. Alberto Ferreira da Rocha Júnior, director of the Winter Arts Festival for their full support and cooperation.  We are extremely appreciative to the Brazilian families who graciously received our students into their homes sharing their lives and providing them with the opportunity to have a complete Brazilian cultural experience. 

This studies abroad program was designed to provide an introduction to the various challenges (academic, social, cultural, linguistic, political, and economic) related to resident study and research in a foreign country. Students learned about the artistic development and the Portuguese heritage in the state of Minas Gerais. They also had the opportunity to experience the contemporary architecture of Oscar Niemeyer in the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Niterói. Students completed a number of activities with the goal to increase their cultural and artistic awareness, cross-cultural sensitivity, and ability to adapt to a new culture.

The home base of our program was in the colonial mining city of São João del-Rei, located in the state of Minas Gerais.  Del-Rei was awarded the title of Cultural Capital of Brazil for the year of 2007.