Forth Valley College and the World Education Programme (WEP) are appealing to families and households across the region to help provide homes for Brazilian scholarship students arriving in Scotland this autumn.
The new international exchange programme will bring 75 students from Pernambuco, Brazil, to the UK, with around 40 expected to study at FVC’s Falkirk and Stirling Campuses.
The students will attend the College from 19 October 2026 until 6 February 2027, and suitable host families are now urgently needed within one hour travelling distance of the two campuses.
Anyone with spare bedrooms will receive a stipend from WEP of £500 per month per student and will have ongoing guidance and support from WEP and Forth Valley College throughout the placement. The students themselves receive an allowance to cover some costs too.
As well as providing additional household income, hosting offers local households the opportunity to learn about Brazilian life and culture, share their own traditions and help a young person make the most of an unforgettable educational experience in Scotland.
Jamie Allan, Global Partnership Manager at Forth Valley College, said: “We are delighted to be working with WEP to welcome this group of talented scholarship students from Pernambuco to Forth Valley College.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for people across the Forth Valley area to bring another culture into their home, make new connections and play an important part in a young person’s international education.
“We know from previous exchanges that hosting can be an incredibly rewarding experience for everyone involved. Hosts often form lasting relationships with their students, while gaining a new perspective on another country and culture.
“With around 40 students expected to study at our Falkirk and Stirling campuses, the support of local families will be vital to making the programme possible. I would encourage anyone who may be interested, even if they have never hosted before, to contact WEP, find out more and consider becoming part of this exciting initiative.”
Claire Kinloch Anderson, Country Manager, WEP UK, said: “We are delighted to see our partnership with Forth Valley College go from strength to strength, with our first Brazilian students now studying on campus and a further 40 expected to join us in October. International exchange is a truly life-changing experience, and we are seeking local hosts who can offer a spare room and a warm Scottish welcome. By opening their homes, hosts play a vital role in helping young people experience our culture, education, community and way of life.”
Brazilian students share their experience of Forth Valley
Four Brazilian students have already been studying at FVC – all in the area of Creative Industries - since the beginning of the academic term in August. Their experiences offer an insight into the value of studying in Scotland and the important role that a welcoming local home can play.
Joyce Alamino Cardoso de Alcantara (16), at the FVC Falkirk Campus, said: “I have totally enjoyed it so far. It has been a great experience. I did think it would be hard to adapt to living in Scotland, but it has been really easy and everyone has been so friendly. The people here really make you feel at home and I love the family I am staying with so much, they have all made me feel like I am at home. The landscapes in Scotland are amazing and I have loved being here. I would totally recommend it to anyone.”
Renan Carvalho Brito (16) also based at the Falkirk Campus, said: “It has been great and the ambience here in Scotland is great too. The classes I have been taking are amazing. I thought it would be difficult to adapt at first, but the first month has been amazing. Scotland is such a great place to explore and this has been a life changing experience to be here and studying. The family I have been staying with a lovely people and I would absolutely recommend this for anyone.”
Both Joyce and Renan are pictured here at the FVC Falkirk Campus with (back left) Claire Kinloch Anderson, UK Country Manager for WEP, Jamie Allan FVC’s Global Partnerships Manager and Angelo Pimental, Project Manager for WEP.
Miguel Henrique de Carvalho (16), who is studying at the Stirling Campus, said: “It has been really good and I would encourage other Scottish families to welcome Brazilian students into their homes, so they can experience the Scottish College life. I am staying with a really good family and am enjoying living with them and studying Creative Industries at Forth Valley College. The best part for me so far has been visiting different towns and cities and meeting new people. I would absolutely recommend it.”
Pedro Henrique Alves de Souza (16), who is also at the Stirling Campus, said: “I have been enjoying experiencing a completely different culture and experiencing things here that I would never have experienced in Brazil. I am living with a great Scottish family who have made me feel at home. The best bit for me so far is the way the teachers teach… it is so much more hand-on and practical that back home and I love that. I would recommend it 100% it has been a life changing experience.”
Pedro (left) and Miguel are pictured here at the FVC Stirling Campus.
The programme forms part of a longer-term partnership between WEP and Forth Valley College, with further groups of international students anticipated in the future. By supporting this first major cohort, host families will also help establish Forth Valley as a welcoming destination for international education and cultural exchange.
Anyone interested in becoming a host household, or simply finding out what hosting involves, is encouraged to contact WEP as soon as possible.
For further information and to register an interest, visit: https://www.wepeducation.co.uk/host-brazil-oct26
Alternatively, contact WEP by telephone on 02380 970 924 or email wepeducation@wep.org.
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