The Ask-the-Consul service is intended to help people by answering questions related to consular affairs – immigration to the United States, applying for U.S. visas, and American Citizen Services. However, a lot of people request information unrelated to consular affairs. The following is a list of common questions and some resources that may be helpful.

Can I drive with my Brazilian driver’s license in the U.S.?
How do I obtain a U.S. driver’s license?

If you have questions about driving in the U.S., please go to the website of the Department of Motor Vehicles: www.dmv.org

How can I get a scholarship to study in the United States?
Can I get credit for high school courses taken in the U.S.?
How are the United States’ and Brazil’s education systems different?

Neither the U.S. government nor the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Consulates can award scholarships. Schools are responsible for awarding scholarships to their students. For more information on schools and education in the U.S. please go to:
www.estudenoseua.org.br

Can I enter the United States with my prescription medication?
Are there any foods I am prohibited from bringing with me to the U.S.?
Can I travel with my pet?
Do I have to give an authorization for my child to travel to the U.S. if I am not accompanying him/her? 

All questions concerning what you are allowed to bring with you into the United States can be found at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. This website explains the rules for bringing alcohol to the U.S., lists the foods that are not permitted into the U.S. (fresh meats, some types of fruit, etc.), tells you how much money you may bring into the U.S. without having to declare it, lists the documents necessary for international travel, and describes how minor children can enter the U.S. if neither of the parents is accompanying them.

http://help.customs.gov/cgi-bin/customs.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php

I am traveling to the U.S. soon- where can I find a reliable weather forecast?
Which travel guide should I buy?
How can I find a hotel or a tourism office in the city I am going to visit?
What is the exchange rate between Brazilian reais and U.S. dollars?
Is there reliable public transportation in the city I plan on visiting?

These questions can be answered on the following website:

http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/travel/getarnd.htm

Where can I find information about the state I am going to visit in the U.S.?

Information about each of the states as well as maps and travel tips can be found at: http://www.seeamerica.org/index.jsp

For general facts about the United States and some of the history of the country, visit: https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/us.html or http://usinfo.state.gov/

The answers to other questions about the United States may already have been written and posted to the U.S. Embassy’s website. For example, if you need to find the phone number of someone in the United States or if you want to read certain U.S. laws, you may be able to do so at the following website:

http://www.embaixada-americana.org.br/index.php?itemmenu=46&submenu=9&action=padrao.inc.php

For questions concerning U.S. government policies and U.S.-Brazil bilateral relations, visit: http://irc.embaixada-americana.org.br/

For more information on U.S. citizenship, Immigration and Naturalization laws and entering the United States, you can also consult the United States Citizen and Immigration Services website: www.uscis.gov

What airline sells the cheapest tickets to the U.S.?
Where can I find an American flag?
I need more information about the U.S. for a school project- can I send a message to the Ask-the-Consul service?
What if the information I need is not in one of the websites listed above?

If you have a question that is not related to consular affairs then you should not email Ask-the-Consul. If none of the websites listed above can help you answer your question then perhaps one of the following search engines may be helpful: www.google.com or www.yahoo.com