Brazil: Work experience

Work placements and internships

There are quite a number of internship programmes but getting a placement is a competitive process and can be difficult. You are normally expected to be between 18 and 28 and studying at a UK university. Examples of these programmes include:

• Global Choices  - internships.
• Intern Abroad  

Exchange programmes

IAESTE (The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience)  can assist with work placements for young scientists, engineers and architects.

Teaching schemes

• British Council Teacher Recruitment  
• Berlitz Careers Service  
• Bridge TEFL  
• Global Choices  
• i-to-i  
• TEFL Job Placement  

Volunteering

There are many volunteering opportunities available, ranging from conservation to teaching. Numerous organisations offer work-travel experience and some also offer help and advice relating to visas, flight bookings and accommodation. The majority offer 24-hour support should you encounter difficulties or problems. Organisations usually charge a fee. The selection below shows the range of opportunities available.

• Cross Cultural Solutions  - offers volunteering experiences of between 1 and 12 weeks. Projects include caring for children with disabilities, working at the local institute for the blind, providing help at nearby orphanages and assisting in HIV/AIDS prevention programmes.
• Lattitude Global Volunteering  - offers volunteering opportunities involving teaching or looking after socially and economically disadvantaged children and young people. There are also environmental and research opportunities.
• Step Teams  - offers work on a basic building project alongside a Latin American church community. Projects last from three weeks to six months.
• Visit the WorldWide Volunteering (WWV)  website for details of other voluntary opportunities in Brazil.

Casual work

It is difficult to get casual work, such as restaurant/bar work or tour guiding. This is because if you enter Brazil as a tourist you cannot work. See visa and immigration for more details or contact the Embassy of Brazil in London  for guidance and advice. Language is also an issue and this kind of work may be difficult without good Portuguese.

Short-term opportunities

It can be difficult to get short-term work opportunities in Brazil due to the complex nature of obtaining a work permit.

Gap year opportunities

Latin America is becoming an increasingly popular destination for undergraduates and graduates looking for a combined work and travel experience, either for a gap year or short-term projects. There are many gap year companies offering such opportunities, some of which are summarised on the Year Out Group  website.