Temporary Migrants, Young and Also Students: How to be a Foreign in a Military Institution of Superior Education

This research discusses about the temporary migration of young foreigners who come to Brazil in order to take their higher education. The scenario of this research is the “Escola Naval” (i.e. Brazilian Naval Academy), which promotes the formation of its future Navy officers. The young, before officially entering into mainstream education, spend one year in the “Qualification Stage for Academic Adaptation of Foreign Students”, consisting of a period in which these students learn the Portuguese language and also the basic math knowledge with leveling purpose as prerequisites for admission into that institution. In this article, we propose to trace the profile of students who, in 2013, are attending this stage, highlighting their main characteristics, the obstacles encountered and their expectations for the future. Finally, from the reflections made above, we will think about the relevance of this first year of adaption, as well as possible solutions for its improvement.