PUC-RIO is a private non-profit Catholic University. It was created in 1941, by the Jesuit Company to promote knowledge based on humanistic values. Now with, approximately, 10,000 undergraduate students, 2,500 graduate students and 5,000 extension students, PUC-Rio is internationally recognized as one of the top five universities in Brazil and one of the two best in Rio de Janeiro. PUC-Rio is located in Gávea, a charming neighborhood near the forest and the beach. Its campus is a pleasant green area with a stream running through it; small monkeys and squirrels can be seen jumping up in the trees. A large number of city bus lines make it easy to get to campus.
International students now have the opportunity to take courses in English at PUC-Rio and learn Portuguese. The courses taught in English are based on Brazilian and Latin American culture, literature, business, design, civilization and history. Along with the courses in English, international students must enroll in Portuguese as a Second Language.
Through some of its specialized centers, PUC-RIO provides social assistance to its staff, students and the outside community. The Center for Assistance to Homeless Children (NEAM), the Training Office for Law Students, the Applied Psychology Service (IPA, provides psychological help and assistance for International students), the Campus Ministry and a First Aid Center function on campus.
The
Coordenação Central de Cooperação Internacional (CCCI) organizes parties and gatherings for the international students, in order to help them integrate into the university community. International students can also participate in other activities such as the choir and some Brazilian culture festivals. PUC-RIO has 3 sports areas where many sports are played, such as football (soccer), volleyball and capoeira. In addition, both international students and the regular students are allowed to swim at one of the most famous clubs in town, the Flamengo Football (soccer) Club, located within walking distance of campus.
Rio de Janeiro is an exciting city located inside the tropical forest and by the Atlantic Ocean. Rio provides its inhabitants a majestic realm of colors, sounds and smells. With an intense cultural life, Rio de Janeiro is the perfect place for those who want to immerse themselves in the South American reality: plays, shows, concerts, exhibitions, street performances, scientific conferences, cultural debates - everything happens in Rio.
International students are placed in family homes, where they have the best chance to experience the Brazilian way of life and to speak everyday Portuguese. Each student has his/her own private room in a family home recommended by CCCI. Monthly rent includes breakfast. Access to kitchen, laundry facilities, and telephone is to be arranged on an individual basis between the family and the student. Most families live near the university, around 15 minutes by city bus.
Grades and Credits
| PUC Rio Grades |
WAC Grades |
WAC GPA |
| 10 |
A+ |
4.0 |
| 9.5 |
A |
4.0 |
| 9 |
A- |
3.7 |
| 8.5 |
B+ |
3.3 |
| 8 |
B |
3.0 |
| 7.5 |
B- |
2.7 |
| 7 |
C+ |
2.3 |
| 6.5 |
C |
2.0 |
| 6 |
C- |
1.7 |
| 5.5 |
D+ |
1.0 |
| 5 |
D |
0.7 |
| Failure |
F |
0 |
A full course load at Pontificia Universidade Catolica Do Rio De Janeiro is 4 classes per semester and 8 classes for the academic year. If you take a full course load at PUC Rio, you will receive a full course load at Washington College (16 credits/semester; 32 credits/academic year). If you take less than the full course load you will NOT receive a full course load at Washington College.
| PUC Rio Credits |
WAC Credits |
| Four classes |
16 credits |
| Three classes |
12 credits |
| Two classes |
8 credits |
