Miami Dade College · Study Abroad · Summer 2027
Brazil: AI, Tech & Business
at Latin America’s Innovation Hub — São Paulo & Rio de Janeiro
Earn 3 college credits. Spend 21 days in Brazil.
One real MDC course (CAI1001C — Artificial Intelligence Thinking, 3 credits, no prerequisites, every major welcome), taught where AI is actually happening: inside Brazil’s top business school, with planned exchange activities with Brazilian students and two of the world’s most exciting cities as your campus.
Summer A (6W1) course · May 10 to June 18, 2027
In Brazil May 16 to June 5 (21 days) · class meets at MDC West before and after the trip
Flights: depart Miami Saturday May 15 (evening); return arrives Miami Sunday June 6 (morning).
Join the interest listOfficially approved by MDC, and applications are open now on the official program page — join the interest list and we’ll point you straight there.
Hands-on AI at ESPM
Custom ESPM program with planned exchange activities with Brazilian students.
Inside Brazil's tech giants
Planned visits to leading technology companies in Sao Paulo (confirmed closer to departure).
São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro
21 days across Latin America’s innovation capital and its cultural heart — Avenida Paulista, Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Copacabana.
World Cup buildup
Brazil hosts the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup starting June 24, weeks after the group returns from Brazil.
Three weeks in Brazil
A snapshot of the 21-day itinerary. Free evenings and weekends are built in — metro card included, explore with your group. Itinerary is tentative and subject to change.
May 16 to 22
Week 1 — São Paulo
Land in São Paulo and settle in on Avenida Paulista. AI classes start in a custom ESPM program with planned exchange activities with Brazilian students, plus an orientation walk through the city, samba and feijoada at the legendary Bar Brahma, and your first free weekend.
May 23 to 29
Week 2 — São Paulo deep dive
Record a podcast in ESPM’s radio studio, visit the Museu do Futebol, and take a guided tour of Sala São Paulo.
May 30 to June 5
Week 3 — Rio de Janeiro
Private coach to Rio with a stop at the Memorial Aeroespacial Brasileiro, and a farewell group dinner later in the Rio week. Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, ESPM’s Rio campus, Copacabana steps from your hotel.
See where you’re going
Your two cities, in 4K. Turn the sound on.
São Paulo in 4K · video by 4K Cities by Adnan (YouTube)
Rio de Janeiro, a cinematic journey · video by Beautiful Destinations (YouTube)
Where you’ll stay
São Paulo · 16 nights
Mercure São Paulo Paulista
A 4-star hotel near Avenida Paulista, the city’s most famous avenue. Breakfast included every morning from Day 2; about 30 minutes by metro, then the ESPM van from Vila Mariana station.
Rated 4/5 on TripAdvisor across 1,100+ guest reviews and 500+ traveler photos — guests consistently praise the location steps from Paulista and the comfortable beds.
Rio de Janeiro · 4 nights
ibis Copacabana Posto 5
Five minutes from Copacabana beach, in Rio’s most famous neighborhood. Breakfast included; all Rio activities by private transfer.
Program cost & payment plan
$5,160
per student program price
Includes airfare, hotels with daily breakfast, 14 lunches, one farewell group dinner, ground transport, activities. Dinners and some lunches are on your own; plan about $300 to $400 for the trip.
Includes travel medical insurance provided by MDC.
| When | Amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| With your application | $32 | Application fee (non-refundable), paid at any campus bursar’s office |
| At acceptance | $500 | Deposit (non-refundable), pay it only when you are sure |
| November 2026 | ~$2,000 | First installment |
| First week of January 2027 | Balance | Final installment |
Tuition for CAI1001C (3 credits) is billed separately at MDC’s standard rate and regular financial aid applies to it. You’ll review this payment schedule (non-binding) during the application. The program runs with a minimum of 12 students — commit by December so the group airfare can lock in.
Scholarships & funding
Gilman Scholarship — up to $5,000
The October 2026 application cycle for the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship closed October 1 at 11:59pm Pacific. Decisions come out in December; the program deposit is due on acceptance regardless of pending scholarship applications.
Javier Coto Scholarship — your tuition could be $0
Funded by Miami-Dade County through MDC’s School of Engineering and Technology, the Javier Coto Scholarship covers in-state tuition and course fees for students taking CAI1001C — this program’s exact course — for the first time. No separate application: it applies automatically after your other aid, while funding lasts. Terms are announced each semester, and we are confirming availability for Summer 2027 — ask us when you express interest.
More funding options
MDC’s study abroad portal lists additional scholarships and funding databases on its funding page — and remember, regular financial aid applies to the tuition portion of the course.
How to apply
You’ll apply on MDC’s official Study Abroad portal (mdc-sa.terradotta.com). Here’s exactly what to expect, start to finish — no surprises.
- 1
Express interest now
Applications are open now. Join the interest list below (one minute), then continue to the official MDC Study Abroad portal to apply.
- 2
Create your portal account
Visit the official Brazil program page on the MDC Study Abroad portal and create your account using your MDC email (one account only — don’t create duplicates). Applications are open, so the Apply button is right on that page.
- 3
Submit your application
A short form, a 250-word essay (why this program — this is how Prof. Colodetti gets to know you), your unofficial transcript, and the course selection (CAI1001C — selecting it is your enrollment consent). You’ll also review the payment schedule (non-binding) and pay the $32 non-refundable application fee at any campus bursar’s office using a cash remittance form — the Homestead bursar can also handle it by email or phone.
- 4
Review and interview
The Office of International Education checks that your application is complete, then Prof. Colodetti reviews it. An interview is part of the selection process — he’ll reach out to schedule it, and Zoom is fine.
- 5
Accepted? Commit
Sign your acceptance letter and pay the $500 deposit — only when you’re sure, it’s non-refundable. Gilman decisions come out in December; the deposit is due on acceptance regardless of pending scholarship applications.
- 6
Get ready for Brazil
A pre-departure checklist opens: passport, medical form, visa documents, and program signatures. Your department enrolls you in the class during spring registration — and in May, you fly.
On the portal, your application status moves through: Pending → Submitted → Technical Review → Faculty Review → Accepted.
Key dates
July 2026
Program officially approved by MDC — done!
August 25, 2026
Applications opened on the official MDC Study Abroad program page — open now
October 1, 2026 (closed)
Gilman Scholarship application cycle closed at 11:59pm Pacific — up to $5,000 for Pell Grant recipients
November 2026
First installment (~$2,000) for accepted students
December 2026
Commitment deadline — group airfare locks in; the program runs with a minimum of 12 students
First week of January 2027
Final balance due
January to February 2027
Cohort confirmed, pre-departure meetings begin
May 10, 2027
Summer A course begins at MDC West
May 16 to June 5, 2027
21 days in Brazil
June 18, 2027
Course ends — 3 credits earned
Eligibility
MDC study abroad requirements for faculty-led programs. Eligibility is verified during the formal application — if you’re close but not sure, express interest anyway and OIE will advise you.
- Current MDC student (any campus)
- At least 18 years old by the program start date
- GPA of 2.5 or higher (faculty-led program minimum)
- At least 12 college credits earned by travel time — fall 2026 credits count
- Good academic standing (not in violation of the code of conduct)
Note: CAI1001C is not repeatable — students who already completed it are not eligible for this program.
Questions students actually ask
Do I need to speak Portuguese?
No — classes are in English. But this is a full-immersion program: daily life happens in local restaurants, on the metro, and alongside Brazilian students. Come curious, leave conversational.
Is there an interview?
Yes. An interview with Prof. Colodetti is part of the selection process. He’ll contact you after your application is complete, and Zoom works fine.
Can freshmen apply?
You need 12 college credits earned by travel time, and credits from fall 2026 count. If it’s your first semester, your application can be reviewed after fall grades post. Priority goes to students closer to graduation.
I already took CAI1001C. Can I still go?
Unfortunately no — CAI1001C is not a repeatable course, and this program runs through that course.
Do I need a passport or visa?
You need a passport valid for at least 6 months after return — if you don’t have one, start now (it can take 2 to 3 months). US citizens also need a Brazil e-visa (about $81, valid 10 years, up to 20 business days to process, at brazil.vfsevisa.com). Non-US citizens: requirements vary, contact OIE early.
Does financial aid apply?
Tuition for the 3-credit course is billed separately at MDC’s standard rate (roughly $118 per credit for Florida residents), regular financial aid applies to it, and the Javier Coto Scholarship may cover it entirely (see Scholarships above). The $5,160 program cost is separate — that’s where the Gilman Scholarship and other funding come in.
Who travels with the students?
Prof. Colodetti leads the group for all 21 days, supported by our logistics partner with 24/7 emergency assistance — and travel medical insurance is provided by MDC at no extra cost.
I'm not an MDC student. Can I join?
The program is open to MDC students from every campus. Not enrolled yet? Anyone can become an MDC student — and honestly, this is a pretty good reason to.
Meet your professor
Prof. Philip Colodetti teaches artificial intelligence and computer science at MDC West (Engineering, Technology, and Design). He designed this program on the ground in São Paulo and Rio — walking the same campuses, streets, and metro lines you’ll be using. Questions before you apply? Email pcolodet@mdc.edu.
Join the interest list
Takes one minute. Applications are open now, and after submitting you’ll continue to the official MDC Study Abroad Portal to apply.