Pontes para o Mundo program selects 400 Brazilian students for overseas study

The Distrito Federal Education Secretariat (SEEDF) launched the second edition of the Pontes para o Mundo program, expanding scholarships for public‑school students to study abroad. Over the weekend, proficiency exams in English, French and Spanish were administered simultaneously in 13 of the 14 regional education coordinations, with more than 1,000 candidates taking the tests. The exams assess reading, speaking, writing and interpretation within one hour.

The programme aims to award 400 top‑scoring students places to study in Canada, France, Spain or the United Kingdom, quadrupling the slots offered in the inaugural 2025 edition, which sent 101 students to the UK. Coordination of the selection is led by David Nogueira, while interim Education Secretary Iêdes Soares Braga highlighted the initiative’s growth, noting, “Queremos que eles façam a prova com tranquilidade e aproveitem essa oportunidade transformadora.” Accommodations were provided for candidates with special educational needs, who took the test on a separate day at a dedicated centre. The program also offers pre‑departure preparation, pedagogical and psychological support, and ongoing assistance throughout the exchange.