Living in Brazil – Postgraduate Guide

Brazil is the largest country in South America, with over 212 million people and Portuguese as its main language. It’s known for its world-class universities, mix of cultures, and wide landscapes that range from the Amazon rainforest to big cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. For international students, Brazil offers a lively and varied place to study and live.

In this guide, I’ll explain what life in Brazil is like for postgraduate students. You’ll read about everyday life, culture, food, weather, travel, accommodation, healthcare, and how much it costs to live there. Whether you’re going for a short course or a full degree, this guide will help you know what to expect before you arrive.

Brazilians are friendly and relaxed. Daily life moves at an easy pace, and people value social time with friends and family. Don’t be surprised if buses run late or service takes time — patience is part of local life.

Sport is a huge part of Brazilian culture. Football is everywhere, and names like Pelé, Marta and Neymar are national heroes. Capoeira, a mix of dance and martial arts, is also an important cultural tradition and recognised by UNESCO.

Food and drink

Brazilian food mixes Indigenous, African and European influences. Common meals include rice, beans, vegetables and grilled meat or fish. Here are a few more you might be interested to try: 

• Feijoada, a black bean stew with pork, is the national dish.

• Local markets sell tropical fruit such as mango, papaya, açaí and guava.

• Coffee is the most popular drink.

• Cachaça, a sugarcane spirit, is used to make the famous caipirinha cocktail.

Climate

Brazil is a huge country so depending on where you live, the climate can vary considerably. In general you can expect a fairly temperate climate in coastal regions (where most of the 200 million Brazilians live).

In the North (the Amazonian regions), the rainy season is from November to May while the Southern regions experience hot summers and very cold winters. Remember also that Brazil is the southern hemisphere and that the worse of the winter will be in July and August.

Sights you must see

There’s a lot to explore in Brazil:

• Cities:
• Brasília – modern capital designed by Oscar Niemeyer.
• Rio de Janeiro – beaches, Carnival, and Christ the Redeemer.
• São Paulo – Brazil’s largest city and cultural centre.
• Salvador – full of music, food and Afro-Brazilian history.
• Nature:
• Amazon Rainforest – the world’s largest tropical forest.
• Iguaçu Falls – huge waterfalls on the Argentine border.
• Pantanal Wetlands – best for wildlife and birdwatching.
• Beaches and islands – found all along the coastline.

Accommodation

Few universities offer student accommodation to international students so your options are a bit more limited than in other countries. It will also be quite difficult to secure accommodation before your arrival. The international office of your university may have some advice about finding a place to stay. One option on arrival are hostels (R$35-150 / USD $7-30 per day).

For longer term options, you will have the choice of:

• Room in shared home: R$800–1,200 per month
• Small flat (outside city centre): around R$1,000–1,500
• Utilities and internet: R$300–400 per month

Everyday Costs

• Public transport pass (Monthly): R$228
• Meal at a cheap restaurant: R$30
• Dinner for two (mid-range): R$160
• Groceries per month: R$600–700

Note that, the average monthly budget is around R$2,500–3,000 (about £400–500) for a student living modestly in a mid-sized city.

Of course, there's more to living and studying a Masters in Brazil than sampling the local cuisine, finding a place to live and sorting out your budget. You'll also need to prepare for your study abroad experience by learning a little about Brazilian travel, banking and healthcare – which is why there's an introduction to all of those topics below.

Travelling

Buses are the most common and affordable way to travel between cities. Major routes have comfortable coaches with air conditioning.

Domestic flights are often quicker for long distances — Brazil is huge. Airlines like LATAM and Gol serve most regions.

Driving can be stressful in big cities due to traffic, but roads are generally good.

Banking

The Brazilian banking system is one of the most complex and bureaucratic in the civilized world. But in a way this doesn’t matter too much because temporary residents (such as students) generally cannot hold a bank account in Brazil. It is recommended therefore that you try opening an account with an international bank such as Citibank, HSBC or others that may also operate in your home country. This may facilitate transfers of funds you may have in your country of origin. Before you leave for Brazil, check whether your bank has branches in Brazil. If not, you may have to open a new account at home first.

Healthcare

Brazil's public healthcare system is technically free at the point of use, with a system modelled on other services such as the British NHS. However, the delivery of medical care actually takes place through a combination of public and private providers.

Where private hospitals provide treatment on a public healthcare basis, they are reimbursed by the government, but, paid-private healthcare will usually lead to more prompt treatment and is generally to be advised in emergency circumstances. Public hospitals may also refuse to treat existing or outstanding medical conditions for free. For this reason you may benefit from taking out some form of personal healthcare insurance whilst studying a Masters in Brazil, though you will be eligible to use the Brazilian public healthcare system as a registered resident student. Your university should be able to offer advice on the health services in its local area.

Before you start packing for Brazil, I’ve got some extra tips that might just help you decide if Brazil is the right place for your postgraduate studies and settle in easier:

• Check your course and university carefully – Some postgraduate courses in Brazil are taught in Portuguese, while others may offer English options. Look into the course structure, professors, and support services to make sure it fits your study goals and language skills.
• Learn some Portuguese – Even basic phrases will make daily life much easier. It will help you get around, make friends, and feel more at home.
• Explore the culture and lifestyle – Brazilian food, music, and festivals are part of everyday life. Trying new things whilst studying there will make your study experience all the more memorable!
• Plan your budget carefully – Living costs vary by city. Make sure you’re realistic about rent, food, and transport before you commit to studying here.