In Limbo, Brazilians Ask Itamaraty for Help in order to Study in The USA

Closing of consulates and interruption in the issuance of visas preclude the beginning of the academic semester, which begins in August

Washington

The plans of thousands of Brazilian students on their way to American universities has been put on hold by the Covid-19 pandemic. With consulates closed in Brazil and the issuance of visas practically paralyzed, the trip to the U.S. for the academic semester that begins around August seems increasingly unfeasible, pushing students into limbo.

Masked to protect against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Georgetown University student Jennifer Linares takes advantage of the warm sunshine to study outdoors in Washington, U.S., March 9, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - REUTERS

This morning (21), a group of them sent a letter to the Foreign Ministry asking for help. They hope that with the fall of former chancellor Ernesto Araújo—seen as an obstacle in the relations between Brazil and the USA—the political context will be more favorable to find a solution.

A US government report shows that Brazil was the ninth country with the most students in the U.S. in 2019. There were 16 thousand people, an increase of almost 10% in comparison to the previous year.

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

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