UF in Brazil – Engineering Internship

UF in Brazil – Engineering Internship

Summer C: May 15 – July 21, 2023

UF in Brazil: Engineering Internship abroad program is organized by Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering to increase student engagement in international experiences through a unique study tour and internship program for engineers, including Chemical Engineers and Biomedical Engineers. The program provides a unique opportunity to learn about Brazilian history, culture and technology while completing an engineering internship at a company in São Paulo. Students will have the opportunity to learn and develop your professional and intercultural competencies in a global environment.

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This program will take place in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to leverage Brazil’s strong position in various industries such as mechanical, industrial, chemical, and biochemical industries.

All interns will have an English speaking supervisor.

About the program

We will be visiting multinational companies in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to introduce students to the engineering industries in Brazil. Here is a tentative list of companies that are included in the program: 

  • ROCHE is a Swiss multinational healthcare company that operates worldwide under two divisions: Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics. It’s the 3rd largest Pharmaceutical worldwide. In Brazil, Roche has been present since 1930, the company is the 6th largest in the field in Brazilian market and has more than BRL 3 billion in revenue.
  • BRASKEM LABS is a Brazilian petrochemical company headquartered in São Paulo. The company is the largest petrochemical company in Latin America and has become a major player in the international petrochemical market (8th largest resin producer worldwide).
  • PETROBRÁS is a semi-public Brazilian multinational corporation in the petroleum industry.  The company ranked #58 in the most recent Fortune Global 500 list.
  • VALE S.A is a Brazilian multinational corporation engaged in metals and mining and one of the largest logistics operators in Brazil
  • EXXON Mobil  is currently the largest net acreage holder among International Oil Companies in Brazil, with more than 2,3 million net acres, and has interest in 25 blocks in the Campos, Santos, Sergipe-Alagoas, Potiguar and Ceará basins with partners Petrobras, Equinor and Qatar Petroleum.
  • BASF
    BASF SE is a German chemical company and the largest chemical producer in the world. The BASF Group comprises subsidiaries and joint ventures in more than 80 countries and operates six integrated production sites and 390 other production sites in all continents.

Professional Internships: Professional Internships are directed work-study experiences taken in companies and industry sectors. Working as an intern enables students to connect theory with practice and apply the engineering and scientific principles learned in the classroom to a real-world professional environment.  Completing an internship abroad is an invaluable opportunity to learn about local business and engineering practices and customs, hone personal and professional skills and habits, and broaden perspectives. Internships are unpaid positions taken over a period of 10 weeks (minimum 200 hours).

Location

São Paulo is the most populous city in Brazil and listed as an alpha global city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC). 

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From the top, clockwise: São Paulo Cathedral and the See Square; overview of the historic downtown from Copan BuildingMonument to the Bandeiras at the entrance of Ibirapuera ParkSão Paulo Museum of Art on Paulista AvenueIpiranga Museum at the Independence Park; and Octávio Frias de Oliveira Bridge over the Marginal Pinheiros. Source: Wikipedia

The municipality of São Paulo is also the world’s 12th largest city proper by population. The city is the capital of the surrounding state of São Paulo, the most populous and wealthiest state in Brazil. It exerts strong international influences in commerce, finance, arts and entertainment. The city has the 11th largest GDP in the world, representing alone 10.7% of all Brazilian GDP and 36% of the production of goods and services in the state of São Paulo, being home to 63% of established multinationals in Brazil, and has been responsible for 28% of the national scientific production in 2005.

Course Information

Faculty leader: Dr. Eric Fuller 

  • EGN 4932 Engineering in a Global Context
  • EGN 4949  Engineering Internship

Total Number of Credits Offered: 6 UF GPA Credits

Benefits

  • Working as an intern enables students to connect theory with practice and apply the engineering and scientific principles learned in the classroom to a real-world professional environment.
  •  Completing an internship abroad is an invaluable opportunity to learn about local business and engineering practices and customs, hone personal as well as professional skills and habits; and broaden perspectives.
  • Working in an international environment gives students the opportunity to cultivate cross-cultural communication skills and leadership abilities to thrive in the professional world

Social and Cultural Activities

  • Paulista Avenue
  • Villa Madalena
  • Rio de Janeiro – Christ the Redeemer Statue, Sugar Loaf Mountain, and Copacabana
  • Brazilian cultural events 

Housing

You will stay in a double room with UF students in hotels during the study tour portion of the program and in an apartment close to your internship location for the remainder of your internship. Program fee includes housing fees.

Program Dates

Summer C: TBD 2022

Application deadline: Mar 1, 2022 (rolling admission)

Eligibility

  • Sophomore and above preferred 
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Open to all engineering majors

Program Fee for 2020

  • UF deposit: $425
  • Program Fee: TBD 
  •  Includes housing, airport pickup, local transportation, insurance & students fees, academic course and internship placement

Application Checklist:

  1. Complete the UF International Center application
  2. Submit the Academic Advising Form – Pick up at UF International Center at The HUB
  3. Pay the $425 non-refundable deposit

More information:

Email:

  • Dr. Jeremy Waisome jwaisome@eng.ufl.edu, Assistant Professor, Engineering Education Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
  • Ping Neo, pneo@eng.ufl.edu, Director, International Engineering Programs, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

Questions?