The document discusses the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program (BSMP) from 2011-2015, which provided opportunities for Brazilian students, including women, to study abroad in the US. It finds that while women made up about 38% of BSMP participants, they were underrepresented in certain STEM fields. The feedback from women showed they generally felt supported at their US institutions but still faced challenges regarding societal views of women in STEM. However, the experience also provided career and academic benefits for the women upon returning to Brazil.

1. THE IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
FOR WOMEN IN STEM
Through The Lens of The Brazil Scientific Mobility Program 2011-2015
overall bsmp broad field of
study by gender
overall bsmp participants
The Brazil Scientific Mobility Program (BSMP) is a one-year, non-degree program for Brazilian students to study abroad in the United States. BSMP is part of the Brazilian
government’s larger initiative to grant 100,000 Brazilian university students the opportunity to study abroad at the world’s best colleges and universities.
gender and stem in the bsmp survey - 561 respondents
How well are women represented
in your field of study?
As a woman in your field, do you face unique
challenges due to your gender?
How supportive was your U.S. host
institution of women in
your field of study?
How did your experience studying in the U.S.
through the BSMP impact your academic
opportunities upon returning to Brazil?
How did your experience studying in
the U.S. through the BSMP impact your
career or professional opportunities
upon returning to Brazil?
Overall, did your BSMP experience make you
more marketable or give you an advantage
in your field of work as it relates to your
undergraduate degree?
“The biggest challenges I faced as a woman in the
STEM fields weren’t inside the university. I have always
been respected there, because my male friends knew
how hard I worked for the grades I had and how well
I was doing there. The problem is that society, in
general, still has issues with women in STEM. People
outside STEM must understand gender doesn’t mean
anything when it comes to intelligence, creativity or
determination. In STEM, we are not man or woman, we
are brains working for the development of the world
(and I am pretty sure we are doing our part extremely
well).”
- Aerospace Engineering Student
“As a woman, this program was something that
changed my life. I am the only girl at home, I have
three brothers and the program’s democracy (BSMP
program) helped me to do everything by myself.
Usually, I hear how hard it is (sometimes impossible)
to get scholarships because you have to be an excellent
student. Before the program it was really hard to hear
how excellent I can be. Going to SUNY New Paltz,
helped me to grow as a better person, independent and
studious. I know I am more capable today to face as
many challenges as my academic life gives me. In class,
home or in society I am a woman who changed her
life with a scholarship, which is amazing in this world
nowadays.”
- Design Student
“The experience of studying in a U.S. Institution only
added to my professional life. As a woman I feel more
qualified and capable to reach my dreams. I am really
thankful for this opportunity that I had.”
-Kinesiology Student
the big picture: women and international education
Women as a Share of International Students in the U.S.
1981/1982 2013/2014
What Women Study Fields of Study for Brazilian Women
Grantee Feedback
women and the bsmp
2013/2014 2013/2014
Not represented
at all
Not very well
represented
Moderately
represented
Very well
represented
212
235
136
2
Many
challenges
Some
challenges
Not many
challenges
No
challenges
55
162
272
96
Not supportive
at all
Not very
supportive
NeutralSomewhat
supportive
Very
supportive
357
82
143
02
Did not impact | 23.5%
Positive impact | 76%
Negative impact | 0.5%
Did not impact | 19.5%
Positive impact | 80%
Negative impact | 0.5%
Yes | 93%
No | 7%
Women | 38%
Men | 62%
37%
10%
23%
5% 12%
13%
Health - Other STEM - Business - Social Sciences - Fine Arts - Other
17%
10%
37%
3%
4%
13%
16%
STEM - Business - Social Sciences - Education - Fine Arts - Humanities - Other
Women 45%
Men 55%
Women 28%
Men 72%
Business & Social Science
Architecture & Design
Hard Science
Computer Science
Medical Science
Engineering
4,345
8,897
63
56
430
712
771
819
1,354
334
947
1,484
Women Men
Gender Poster - NAFSA.indd 1 5/19/2015 9:01:01 AM