Study abroad in Brazil?

[dusbabek]

Hello, I am a student at the University of Arizona in Tucson, and I was wondering if perhaps anyone knows of a good Study Abroad program to go to Brazil with. I am looking to be fluent in Portuguese by the time I leave, and I want to stay a substantial length of time (preferably a semester). My parents would prefer that the program not be in Rio, as they consider it to be unsafe and can not be made to think otherwise (trust me, I've tried). I realize that eliminates a lot of options, but if there is anything in Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Goiania, or Fortaleza, those would be ideal. I am currently in my first year of Portuguese, so by the end of the year I should be eligible for most programs.

Thank you so much for your help.

[rreyes]

This is a really old post and I hope you've found your way to Brazil by now, but for anyone else who might want an answer to this question - I know CIEE and SIT programs go to many other places besides Rio. CIEE is more of your typical study abroad experience - live with a host family, go to a university in the city you're in. SIT programs have a specific focus and unfortunately in Brazil the program is in English, not Portuguese, but it would be another option for study abroad. I'm sure there are other programs out there but those are the ones I'm familiar with.