FAQ
Am I eligible to apply? 
To be eligible, you must be a full time UGA student in good standing. Incoming freshmen will also be considered for the program.
I am not a UGA student, can I still apply?
You must be accepted for admission to UGA to be eligible for our program. If you are a transfer student, you must first gain UGA acceptance. You will be able to apply once you have started your studies here.
I am graduating within a year, am I still eligible?
We expect a commitment of roughly 3.5 years. You must be able to reach Advanced (ILR2) proficiency in Portuguese to pursue the mandatory Capstone Year in Brazil, and Superior (ILR3) to receive Flagship certification, a process which normally takes 3.5 years. For this reason, a senior in first year Portuguese would not be a good match for our program.
I am a graduate student, am I eligible?
Sorry, the PFP is aimed at undergraduate students. As a graduate student you should look for funding such as Teaching Assistantships and UGA Graduate Fellowships.
Do I need to speak Portuguese to join the PFP?
Not at all. The program is designed to take you from beginner to professional-level fluency. All you need to get started is enroll in PORT 1001 (no prior experience) or PORT 1110 (some prior experience) and mention your interest to your academic advisor.
I am a native speaker of Portuguese, am I eligible to apply?
It depends on your level of proficiency in Portuguese. If you speak and read Portuguese fluently and are already at or above the Superior level, this is not the best match for you. However, if your level is in the Intermediate to Advanced range of proficiency, you are welcome to apply.
Is the PFP open to my major?
Yes — the program is open to all UGA undergraduate students regardless of major. Whether you’re studying business, biology, engineering, political science, or the arts, Portuguese fluency will set you apart in your field.
Is there an application to join?
No formal application is required to get started. Simply fill out our Registration Form, enroll in your first Portuguese course, and schedule a meeting with us. We’ll take it from there.
Can I do the study abroad programs with financial aid or scholarships?
Yes. PFP students in good standing are eligible for scholarships to support the Summer Program in Salvador, which can often be combined with Zell or Hope scholarships to cover nearly the full cost. The Capstone in Brazil is primarily funded through the Boren Scholarship ($25,000), which, combined with Zell or Hope, covers the full cost of the program. ROTC cadets in the Army or Air Force receive guaranteed full funding through ROTC Flagship Student Support.
Where have PFP students interned in Brazil?
Our internship partners span finance, consulting, technology, media, environmental sustainability, NGOs, and research institutions — including organizations like Deutsche Bank, PwC, IBM, Blip, Bureau Veritas, IBASE, Catalytic Communities, and SENAI CIMATEC, among many others.
What kind of careers do PFP graduates go into?
PFP alumni go on to careers in diplomacy and foreign service, global business and finance, international law and trade, engineering and sustainability, global health and public policy, education and research, and tech and communications — all with the advantage of professional-level Portuguese fluency.
How do I learn more or get in touch?
Fill out our Registration Form or schedule a meeting directly with Dr. Bruno Sales, PFP Assistant Director, at [[email protected]]. We’re happy to talk through how the program fits into your goals at UGA.