The opportunity to earn an international degree without having to leave Brazil at the very beginning of university life has attracted students interested in expanding their academic and professional prospects. According to the 2026 Selo Belta Survey, conducted by the Brazilian Association of Exchange Agencies (Belta), studying abroad accounts for 23.6% of the most desired types of international exchange experiences among Brazilians.
In addition to exposure to other cultures and the opportunity to improve a second language, international education can help students build academic and professional networks. However, the associated costs, admission requirements, and adjustment to another country’s education system are factors that students and their families need to consider.
In Brasília, Hayek Global College offers the American College program, which allows students to begin an international undergraduate degree in Brazil and subsequently continue their studies in the United States. The program includes two years of study in Brazil’s federal capital, following an American curriculum with classes taught entirely in English, followed by two additional years at a partner institution. Depending on the applicable academic requirements, students may earn both a Brazilian and an American degree.
The 2+2 model includes programs in Computer Science, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Marketing, and International Relations. Partner universities include George Mason University, Cumberland University, Kentucky State University, SUNY Alfred State, and Fort Hays State University.
According to Edson Agatti, Director of Hayek Global College, beginning their education in Brasília allows students to prepare gradually for the American university experience.
“The goal is to facilitate the transition to American higher education, allowing students to reduce some of the initial costs, develop their academic English skills, and become familiar with teaching methodologies in the United States. The program also incorporates interdisciplinary projects and the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) model, which connects students and professors from different countries through joint academic activities,” he explains.
The cooperation between the two institutions was also highlighted by Györgyi Mihályi, Director of International Partnerships at Cumberland University. During a visit to Hayek Global College in Brasília, she emphasized the alignment between the two organizations’ goals.
“Hayek is an innovative institution. We are very proud of this partnership. We share the same vision of building a globally oriented education for our students,” she said.
Another pathway offered by the institution is academic preparation for students who plan to study Medicine in the United States. In this case, the route to becoming a physician differs from the Brazilian model, as admission to American medical schools typically takes place after completing an undergraduate degree.
In general, students must complete four years of undergraduate education while fulfilling the prerequisite courses known as Pre-Med, which include subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. They must then go through the medical school admissions process, which typically includes the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), an exam designed to assess scientific knowledge and critical reasoning skills. Medical school requires an additional four years of study, followed by a residency program.
According to Agatti, academic planning is essential to meeting the requirements of American institutions. “The path to completing medical school takes an average of eight years. Admission depends on fulfilling the prerequisites and successfully completing each institution’s admissions process,” he emphasizes.
Opportunities for students interested in pursuing this path were discussed during a meeting at Hayek Global College with representatives from Fort Hays State University. Philip Wittkorn, the university’s Director of Global Partnerships, explained that the institution provides guidance for students who wish to apply to medical schools in the United States.
“We have a program designed to prepare students from the undergraduate level onward. Our advisors provide guidance on coursework, prerequisites, and the profiles sought by medical schools, as well as assistance with MCAT preparation,” Wittkorn explained.
More information about the programs and educational opportunities is available on the Hayek Global College website: https://www.hayekcollege.com/.