mangueira - rio, brazil - gap year

learn

Sun, sand, samba and study, the perfect combination...!

Your introduction to Brazilian life takes place in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro. With it's beautiful beaches alongside struggling favelas, the contrasts in this country could not be more visible. After daily morning sessions of conversational Portuguese, we have the chance to visit the many and varied parts of this city in the afternoons, evenings and weekends. Sugar loaf mountain, Christ the Redeemer, the magnificent Maracana stadium, never a dull moment!

where: Rio de Janeiro

what: Portuguese tuition, cultural orientation

how long: 3 week learning phase

mangueira - rio, brazil - gap year

work

Make their summer holiday one
they'll never forget

The Rio Carnival party is probably the most seriously taken party on the planet, and everyone takes part, rich and poor alike. The favela of Mangueira, in the outskirts of Rio is no exception and this is where our project is based. A local NGO has been running a social project there since the early 1990s and Quest has been working with them since 2005. Help bring a child's summer to life, work in the handicapped home Casa Lar giving the staff there much needed support, and help in their preparation for the Carnival parade - ever wondered how you'd look in sequins?!

where: Mangueira

what: sport, games, carnival!

how long: 4 week project phase

mangueira - rio, brazil - gap year

explore

All to the beat of the samba...

Six weeks travelling through the heart of Brazil. Trek to the 2nd highest waterfall in South America, learn to surf on a 4 day instructed course, go white-water rafting, visit environmental protected zones teeming with wildlife, go river tubing and enjoy colonial cities. Of course there's also Rio and all this wonderful city has to offer, from the world famous Maracana football stadium to sugar loaf mountain and the Christ the Redeemer Statue looking out over Rio. Hang gliding, dance the Samba and enjoy Rio's golden beaches. And let's not forget the awesome Iguazu Falls. A spectacular journey through South America's most varied and friendly country.

where: Brazil

what: a taste of Brazil

how long: 6 week expedition phase

mangueira - rio, brazil - gap year

in a nutshell

trip summary

Learn Portuguese in Rio de Janeiro for three weeks. Take your new found language skill into the favela of Mangueira, where your team will spend 4 weeks working with the children of the community. Then head off on a spectacular expedition, exploring the best the country has to offer.