GSD student shares his experience on UFMG Summer School

The Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) Summer School on Brazilian Studies aims at providing students from around the globe with a solid background in Brazil and Brazilian studies, shedding light on crucial aspects of South America’s giant country and the region in itself. GSD student Kieran Hibbert attended the programme in 2025 - he shares his experiences in the blog below.

Spending two weeks in Belo Horizonte was a genuinely memorable experience. The programme strikes the perfect balance: daily lectures are insightful yet relaxed, taught by visiting professors who make complex topics engaging and often deeply moving over a variety of topics such as architecture, politics, international relations, geography, culture, gender and race dynamics. The whole set-up feels carefully curated from UFMG – from the morning coach pickups and welcoming coffee tables to the cafeteria-style lunches that bring everyone together, even to the dorm room like structure where they were very intentional about the room setups to best accommodate people coming from all over the world.

In saying that, one of the best parts was the social element. Meeting people from around the world created a strong sense of community, and the buddy system really made the difference as we were each paired with a Brazilian student. My buddy has become a lifelong friend, and collectively the buddies took us out around the city after classes. It never felt restrictive – people naturally explored different interests, and the system gave you the freedom to connect in ways that suited you.

The Portuguese lessons were another highlight. They weren’t intensive, but interactive, fun, and always connected to what we were learning. The teachers focused on practical language that actually helped – especially since English is not widely spoken at all.

Beyond the classroom, Belo Horizonte itself is beautiful. The city is full of free things to do, great food, vibrant bars, and some of the friendliest, most welcoming people I’ve met.

Overall, the programme is well-structured, socially rich, and culturally immersive – an experience that feels almost dreamlike at times.