On this page, we compiled all the information you will need to come to Rio de Janeiro as an International student! 🌎
Admission process? Visa? Accommodation? Flights? Career opportunities post-bootcamp? International network?
Since the start of Le Wagon in Rio, we have received more than 37 different nationalities and we're very proud of our diverse community! 🥳️
Make sure you've completed the bootcamp selection process!
1️⃣ Book an interview with Milene, our bootcamp manager
2️⃣ Complete the challenge (10-hour online Ruby track for the Web Dev bootcamp ; 1-hour math and programming quiz for Data Science)
3️⃣ Sign your online student agreement 🖊
4️⃣ Start the prep work 💪 (about 50 hours of videos and exercises to complete before the start of the bootcamp)
Make sure you apply at least one month before the bootcamp starting date to complete all these steps in due time! ⚠️
Good news 🎉 Most countries do not need a visa to visit Brazil for less than 90 days (3 months). This period of time is enough to complete the full-time bootcamp (2 months) and still enjoy a few more weeks in Brazil 🇧🇷
Click here to check if your country is part of the visa-free list (EU countries, the USA, Australia, Japan...)
If not - no problem! You just need to apply for a tourist visa at your local consulate. Make sure you apply, ideally, 3 months before the start of the bootcamp as Brazilian consulates are well-known for their slow administration processes 😅
Do not forget to check the COVID requirements for your country (PCR test? quarantine? form? Check your local consulate's website)
Looking for a place to live during your time in Rio? Here's what we recommend:
👉 Airbnb: It's the simplest and easiest way!
⭐️ BONUS ⭐️ Do not hesitate to message the Airbnb Hosts with a little introduction about yourself + asking for a discount! Indeed, you're a perfect opportunity for them! As a student, you will be busy all day and staying for a long period of time. Often, Airbnb Hosts will offer you a long-stay discount.
👉 Facebook: Most ads are looking for long-term renters, but some of them are also offering short-term! Check out these Facebook groups: here, here, here, here, over here too - feel free to check if your country doesn't have a group in Rio already! ☺️ (for example: French in Rio, German in Rio, etc!)
👉 Share an apartment with other students!
Neighborhoods we advise to live in 🏡 Copacabana, Ipanema, Botafogo, Leme, Leblon, Flamengo, Gloria, Largo do Machado, Lagoa, Humaita, Laranjeiras...
Don't hesitate to message Milene, our bootcamp manager, she always has contacts 😉
Two big airports in Rio de Janeiro:
Make sure to stay a bit longer than your bootcamp time to enjoy all the amazing places Brazil has to offer!
Búzios - only 3 hours by bus from Rio! Turquoise waters, nightlife, scuba diving... they call it the Saint-Tropez of Brazil 🥂
Ilha Grande - a paradise of an island, only 6 hours (bus+boat) from Rio 🚤 Enjoy the nature, the hikes, the beautiful blue ocean 🏝
Paraty - discover the history of a former colonial city 🏛 only 6 hours of bus from Rio, it's also very popular for hikes, beaches, and nightlife!
Lençóis Maranhenses - a white sand desert... full of blue oasis 🌴 whether you choose to do the trekking, quad trip, boat trip - it's definitely a once in a lifetime experience! And so many stars at night... 🌌
Amazon Forest - for the true adventurers at heart 💪 Don't forget your yellow fever vaccine and mosquito repellant before discovering the wildest nature of South America! 🦟️🐍🐠
Iguaçu Waterfalls - voted as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World!
There's so much to see in Brazil! If you have the time, make sure you also enjoy its neighbors' countries: Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia... 🤩
The most important thing in Rio is the location.
You might have heard about places called favelas - these are underprivileged neighborhoods in Rio where the crime rate is high - we do not advise visiting (depending on the favela).
Otherwise, if you stay on the Google Maps streets and observe standard safety rules, you can be assured to be safe in Rio! ☺️
Example of standard safety rules: do not leave your phone in your back pocket, do not leave your personal belongings unattended on the beach, etc.
Don't hesitate to ask Milene, your bootcamp manager, about it! She's French 🇫🇷 and has been living in Brazil for four years now.
For groceries - Supermarkets, minimarkets, street markets... Plenty of options at every corner! 🥑🍅 Avoid imported products (Nutella, Pringles, etc) and enjoy the diversity and cheap fresh products of Brazil! 🍉🥭️🥥🍌
For every-day-eating-out - the Brazilian buffet life, it is! At every corner in Rio, you can find "buffet places" - for about 25 reais (5 USD), you can get a full plate of homemade food. It's a very cultural thing here and it's our #1 lunchbreak solution at school ☺️
For every-day-food-delivery - Uber Eats, iFood, Rappi... Food delivery apps work really well in Rio and they often offer discounts!
For restaurants - the sky is the limit! Feel free to ask Milene, your bootcamp manager, she's a foodie and will advise you the nicest places for brunch, lunch, or dinner 🍽
Shopping Rio Sul - a big mall with international brands such as Zara, Adidas, Intimissimi... But also local clothing brands like Farm, Hering, or Zinzane! 👗 This mall is also quite famous for offering a great movie theater experience 🍿
Shopping Leblon - same thing, but with more high-end brands!
For Carnival outfits, cheap stuff, made-in-China type of products - visit Saara in the Centro of Rio! It's the perfect open-air shopping place for Carnival glitters ✨
Good news 🎉 Once you enter a Le Wagon school, you have access to ALL the Le Wagon's schools' job opportunities and network.
At the end of the bootcamp in Rio de Janeiro, we offer a Career Week - one week of workshops and talks to help you prepare for your job search! You can also join any other cities' Career Week - if you're interested in Berlin, Tokyo, or Montreal's job markets, you're welcome to join their online Career events! ☺️
Ask Milene, your bootcamp manager! 🙋♀️
Whatsapp 👉 +5511955556074
Email 👉 [email protected]
Instagram 👉 instagram.com/milocardo
Apply to Le Wagon Rio de Janeiro 🌴
Infographic: the outcomes of our coding bootcamp in Brazil 💼