Twenty students from Brazil will arrive at North Carolina Central University on Jan. 6 to take part in an intensive four-week program to study American history and government. The program, known as a Student Leadership Institute, is a partnership between NCCU and the U.S. Department of State.

The Brazilians, all of whom speak English, will sit in on some regular classes, but they will also attend special presentations by NCCU faculty on U.S. government, labor relations and immigration. “Our subtheme will be the struggle for civil rights,” said Carlton Wilson, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, one of three NCCU officials organizing the visit. The students will also take part in a community service project, Wilson said.

In a previous Student Leadership Institute, NCCU played host last summer to 20 students from Mexico. Wilson said the January program differs from the earlier program in several respects. The Brazilians will be at NCCU during the regular academic year, so they will be able to take part in campus life by attending athletic, social and cultural events. But there’s a disadvantage to the timing as well: Campus residence halls are full now, so the visitors will need to be housed at a hotel.