West Virginia University students interested in studying abroad on a short-term basis have an opportunity to explore Brazil while earning credit for two semestersworth of Spanish in a month.

Through the Brazil exchange program, offered by WVU s Department of Foreign Languages, students will spend May 12-June 11 studying at the Universidade Luterana do Brasil (ULBRA) in the city of Canoas.

The month-long trip gives WVU and ULBRA students a chance to see what it is like to study abroad without dedicating themselves to an entire semester, according to Sandra Dixon, assistant professor of foreign languages.

Students from each university can immerse themselves in the cultures they are studying, she said, and they spend time learning Spanish and English with native speakers.

Brazil was the perfect opportunity to discover whether or not you like to study abroad,said John Pino, an international studies student who traveled to Brazil last summer.Only being a month, it was the perfect amount of time being away from home for the first time.

It is an experience you will not soon forget,he added.Brazil is beautifulthe land, the people and the culture.

Dixon said students will attend classes at ULBRA , and if they have had two semesters of college Spanish or the equivalent, they can earn credit for Spanish 203 and 204or for one of the advanced-level courses: 301, 302 or 303.

In addition, WVU students will go on sightseeing trips, including a trip to Porto Alegre, and the final three days of the trip will be spent exploring Rio de Janeiro.

Last year, weekend trips included Bento Goncalves, famous for its vineyards, and Torres. The students also attended a local soccer game.

Teresa Sparklin, a criminology major who went on the trip last year, said that between classes, students were encouraged to explore Brazilian culture.

Sometimes we went into Porto Alegre,she said,and other times we just sat around with each other and hung out.

The cost of the program is $2,775, which covers student tuition at ULBRA , textbooks, student insurance, weekend sightseeing excursions, housing, meals and special cultural activities.

A downloadable application packet is available at:http://www.wvu.edu/~intlprog/forms/BrazilSU07Spanish.pdfThe deadline to apply is Monday, Feb. 26.

For more information, contact Dixon, 304-293-5121, or the Office of International Programs, 304-293-6955.