“Instituto Clara Ramos cannot be in better hands than those of Clara herself who embodies “todas as praias” when it comes to logistics, budgeting, human relations, student curricular and cultural satisfaction, as well as competent personnel management. Our Study Abroad students from the University of Texas at Austin, not only return better fluent in Portuguese and better immersed in Brazilian culture, they also gain a richer knowledge of what the future holds for them in global relations after enjoying Bahian warmth, and above all, the human experience.”

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Niyi Afolabi

Professor, African & African Diaspora Studies Dept. UT Austin

“The Dance Brazil trip, which I lead with dancers from The Ohio State University, was a life-changing experience for all involved. Our activities around Salvador and Bahia were infused with opportunities to delve deeply into several forms of Brazilian dance and music, as well as chances to interact with dancers and dance educators in the various communities of Salvador. Clara Ramos thought of every detail and we are forever enlightened because of her expertise, compassion, and enthusiasm for cross-cultural learning. I have traveled extensively throughout my career and Clara is hands-down the most efficient director and our students remember her dearly.”

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Daniel Roberts

Professor in Dance and Director of the Study Abroad Program in Bahia

The Ohio State University School of Music

“Working with Clara Ramos was key to guarantee the success of our program. Her detailed coordination of logistics, the quality and warmth of homestay placements, and her deep love of local culture and community allowed our students to concentrate on academics, learning the language, and above all, living a transformative experience. I recommend working with ICR-Brasil without hesitation.”

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Isabel Velázquez

Faculty leader and program director – Through the Lens of Language: Brazilian History, Culture and Society

University of Nebraska, Lincoln

“I have worked with Clara Ramos over the past 3 years bringing students from the University of Connecticut to Salvador, Brazil on a Spring break study abroad program.  Clara has a wealth of knowledge about the culture and history of Salvador and the Afro-Brazilian residents who live in the state of Bahia.  In particular, the tour schedule she created for my group was excellent and exceeded expectations.  My students were thoroughly satisfied by the services Clara provided as they would come back to university and tell other students to attend this study abroad program. I recommend using ICR Brasil as this company will provide an exciting, yet professional study abroad experience for your institution.”

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Erik M. Hines

Associate Professor

Former associate professor and UCONN Spring break Program Director 2017- 2019

Florida State University

“Perhaps the most important line from the Ohio State Alma Mater is: “Time and Change with surely show, how firm they friendship, O-HI-O.” Although the text is intended to promote the long-term relationship between the university and its graduates, it is also the perfect phrase to describe our relationship with Clara Ramos. The past few years have presented great changes to our countries, schools, and educational organizations, but despite unexpected adventures, Clara Ramos has been a world-class professional facilitator. She has an uncanny sense of what students need academically, cultural, and personally. Every student I have brought to Brazil has experienced a custom tailored Brazilian Experience. Clara is a cultural ambassador for Brazil, Bahia, and of course Salvador! No detail is overlooked, no need to great, Clara is a tremendous asset to field of international education. We are so fortunate to be working with her again this year!”

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David Hedgecoth

Professor in Music and Director of The Brazilian Experience Program

The Ohio State University School of Music

“In 2008, I came to Salvador with a FLAS fellowship for the study of advanced Portuguese. I spent six weeks studying with my instructor, Graça, and engaging in all of the lectures, workshops and activities that Clara Ramos organized for the exchange program groups. I had already began my research on popular culture and archives of the African diaspora in Brazil and the Caribbean and found the supplementary activities highly relevant. Following my participation in the program, I knew that I must maintain my connection with Clara and hoped one day I could return to initiate a collaboration. Following my hire as a tenure-track faculty member of Colorado College, I proposed a summer in Brazil program to my new colleagues and contacted Clara to start a new phase of our relationship. Since 2014, I have brought five groups of students to Salvador to gain a deep immersive experience in Portuguese language and Bahian culture (through homestays, intensive classes and integral workshops and visits to local organizations). What Clara brings to the organization and development of this program is a profound attention to detail in the organization of visits and programming and an uncomparable passion for cultural exchange and individualized work with students. ICR Brasil most definitely transforms the lives of its students!”

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Dr. Naomi Pueo Wood she/her(s)

Associate Professor of Spanish and Portuguese, Department Chair at Colorado College and Director of the Study Abroad Program in Bahia

“I have led summer and winter break study abroad programs to Brazil since 2005, first as a faculty member at the University of Illinois and then at the University of Kansas. Since then, I have taken students to Salvador and worked with Clara Ramos, initially at ACBEU, the Brazil-U.S. Binational Center, and after that at the Instituto Clara Ramos – Brasil. My students’ experience has always been exceptional. Clara and her crew literally take care of everything for you. Our students have always exceeded their expectations in terms of language learning, often surpassing two semesters of intensive study at their home institutions. They have also often undergone a transformative personal experience, given the special relationship that they develop with Brazilian culture, the city of Salvador, the ICR staff, and the Brazilian families with whom they live. Clara works with the best foreign language instructors in Salvador. She also handpicks the families for our students. Students are greeted with enthusiasm and affection since day one and take the love they receive during their program back home with them. Many decide to include Portuguese and Brazil in their careers after studying abroad with ICR. It always impresses me Clara’s ability to tailor the programs to each institution, her efforts to carefully attend to students’ individual needs, and her competence to foresee any kind of possible unexpected situation and how to react appropriately when they happen. Being originally from Salvador myself, I am extremely demanding in what I would like my students to experience in my hometown and the takeaways they will have from their time in town. Only ICR Brasil provides that. “

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Luciano Tosta

Associate Professor of Brazilian Literature and Culture, Acting Director & Director of Graduate Studies, Center for Global and International Studies

University of Kansas

“In celebrating our fifth year of partnership, I can say that working with Clara Ramos and the staff and team she has developed has had a tremendous impact on our program and students. When working with Clara and her team, I know that we will always have the highest quality service, we will adapt to unforeseen challenges and our students will be allowed to explore and experience the history and heritage that is so unique to Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The students also feel that they have another mentor and program director to talk to which is an important aspect of our partnership. Clara and Lucianne, and the team of host families, tour guides, transportation companies work together to make the students feel welcome, to be immersed in the culture and language and that really enhances the formal academic training in public health. As a former student who came to Salvador to learn Portuguese in a program coordinated by Clara, I am forever grateful for the opportunity to inspire other students.  The work of developing and coordinating a study abroad program is intense and immense, and it would be impossible to do this program without Clara and her team.”

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Christine Stauber

Associate Professor, Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Public Health, and Program Director of the Brazil Study Abroad Program

Georgia State University