Interested in studying geography in another country and earning class credit at the same time? Dr. Christian Brannstrom, associate professor of geography, is leading a study abroad program to Brazil this summer. This is a unique opportunity for students of any major to earn six hours of course credit for geography 450 and 489 while traveling through Brazil and learning about its geography, development, and resulting challenges to environmental management. Brannstrom started the program in 2005 because the College of Geosciences lacked a study abroad program. However, the program was cancelled last summer because too few students applied.

The Brazil Environment and Geography program this year will begin in Salvador, a major urban center in Brazil known for its sugarcane production. Students will then travel to the former diamond-mining region, Lençóis, where ecotourism has replaced mining as the main economic activity. From Lençóis, the students will travel to Juazeiro, a leading center of production of fresh fruit exports, and the surrounding poor regions. The program will conclude with a visit to Barreiras, one of Brazil’s leading areas of frontier agriculture, where students will tour the region’s farms, native savanna vegetation, and rivers.

The cost of the program is approximately $3700, which includes round-trip airfare, all transportation within Brazil, breakfast, hotel accommodations, and a monetary allowance. To be eligible for this opportunity, students must be in good standing with the university, be approved by the professor, and attend orientation classes during the spring semester. Those interested should sign up at least two months before the end of the semester.

For more information, students can go to http://studyabroad.tamu.edu or contact Dr. Brannstrom at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it