How everything started...
Because there is a lot that needs to be arranged before you can go to Brazil. Of which the most difficult thing was the visa, of course. At first I read the manual that was offered by the Living Lab organization. Then I immediately started with collecting all the important documents like the passport (needs to be valid for at least 6 months at the date of your arrival in Brazil), the VOG (Certificate of Good Behavior), proof of enrollment (from Avans University and UFMG in Brazil as well), proof of having enough money (700 euros a month, for 6 months at least 4200 euros) and a flight ticket. The last one is a little bit tricky because you really need to be sure that you will have your visa in time. I heard you can also reserve a flight ticket and pay later. This might be the better option. I advice you, if you ever want to go on internship in Brazil, that you arrange some documents a bit later, because the VOG for instance is only valid for three months.
If you want to be sure which documents you exactly need, I suggest you make an appointment at the Brazillian Consulate in Rotterdam (near the central station) and bring your application form (of the university you're going to). Then they can give you a good indication of which documents you need for the visa. It probably is a 'Sandwich' visa, like me. But I would go by, so you know for sure. Make this appointment in time, so you have enough time to gather all the needed documents and also have time enough to legalize them in Groningen, if needed. At the Consulate they can tell you which document they want to be legalized bij DUO (Dienst Onderwijs Uitvoering) and BuZa (Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Den Haag). Yes, this is a long trip for most of us, but Groningen is a nice city and this is the perfect opportunity to explore this beautiful city. If you want to know a good place to drink coffee, I can suggest the pavilion Het Sterrenbos. Oops, I am not promoting anything... :3
When all that is done and you hand in all the needed documents, your visa will be prepared. For me this took one week. If you want to pick up your visa, you don't need to make an appointment, just walk in from 9:30 untill 13:30, I believe. For the accurate visiting hours I will refer to the website: http://roterda.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/visas.xml
Then there is one other thing you really need to do here in the Netherlands: get your shots (No, I do not mean drinks, I mean vaccinations). For Brazil the following are recommended: Yellow Fever (very important), Hepatitis A and B, DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio) and in some cases Rabies (this is very expensive, like 225 euros). For advice I refer to the GGD (Health Service in the Netherlands). Just make an appointment and they will know what you need and give you some (healthy) travel advice. If you get the Hep. A shot for the first time, I suggest you come back next year and take another one. This way you are protected for 25 years and Hep. A you need almost everywhere around the world.
When all of that was arranged I just needed to arrange housing, travel insurance and learning Portuguese of course. I suggest you take an (online) course to make sure you can speak a little bit of Portuguese once you arrive. Could come in handy... Also make sure everything is arranged at school, like handing in forms and small 'details' like getting your assignment approved. So I told you almost everything about the process I went through. The next time I will write is probably in Brazil. Take care!