Why Curitiba

Southern Brazil's Planned City, European Roots and a Strong Private School Network

Our View

Curitiba joins The Student World EXPO Brazil in 2027 by request of exhibitors and local school counselors. The capital of Paraná has one of the highest living standards among Brazilian state capitals, a dense network of bilingual and traditional private schools, and families who already send students abroad for high school exchanges, undergraduate degrees and master's programs. Because international universities rarely visit in person, exhibitors meet students who are genuinely curious and not over-solicited.

If you work with agents, FPP also offers an additional optional service to connect you with local BELTA agents (we have a very close relationship with BELTA, the Brazilian Association of Educational Agents). We can also arrange meetings with bilingual local school counselors in the days around the event. If this is of interest, please book these services with your FPP representative well in advance.

Curitiba is the capital of the state of Paraná and the heart of a metropolitan area of more than 3.5 million people. It is known worldwide as a reference in urban planning and public transport, and it consistently ranks among the Brazilian capitals with the best quality of life, education indicators and income per capita.

The city's identity was shaped by German, Italian, Polish and Ukrainian immigration. That heritage is still visible in its schools, its community institutions and in a long tradition of looking towards Europe and North America for education and career opportunities.

Economy and Families

Curitiba's economy combines a large industrial base (automotive plants of Renault, Volkswagen and Volvo, plus Bosch, Electrolux and a strong supplier network) with a fast-growing technology and services sector. The city is home to fintech and software companies with an international footprint and to one of the most active startup communities in the country.

This mix produces a broad base of upper-middle-class professional families: engineers, doctors, entrepreneurs and executives of multinational companies, many of whom have lived or studied abroad themselves and see an international degree as a natural step for their children.

Academic Profile & Student Mindset

Curitiba hosts the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), the oldest university in Brazil, together with PUCPR, UTFPR and Universidade Positivo, among others. The result is a competitive academic environment and a strong culture of preparation for selective admissions.

The city's private school network is one of the most developed in the south of Brazil, with bilingual and international programs, IB schools and traditional Catholic and community schools of German and Italian origin. Students tend to be disciplined, well prepared in English and used to structured academic pathways.

Study Abroad Culture

Paraná is among the Brazilian states that send the most students abroad, and Curitiba concentrates most of that demand. High school exchanges to the United States and Canada are common, and many families plan an undergraduate or master's degree abroad early, with the United States, Canada, Portugal, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy as the most frequent destinations.

For universities looking for prepared, financially capable students outside the São Paulo and Rio circuit, Curitiba offers a market with real demand, little direct competition from international recruiters and a counselor community eager to build long-term relationships.

Quality of Life

Curitiba is famous for its parks, its botanical garden and its mild, European-like climate. It is a safe, organised city with an excellent airport connection to São Paulo, which makes it an easy addition to any Brazil itinerary.

Photos: Curitiba Skyline by Wilfredor (CC0); Jardim Botânico de Curitiba by Wilfredor (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons.