Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best experience ever. August 16, 2024

By (Environmental Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/06/2024 to 06/06/2024 with

CET Brazil

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a new language, I feel like Brazilian culture is unlike any other culture in the world and I'm takin that with me from new musical artist to environmental activist.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I thought the rigor of our classes was the perfect pace. I enjoyed each class I was enrolled in! I had plenty of resources especially after I had to deal with health issues.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Living in an apartment with other people my age for the first time was a very good experience. And it has prepared me for life after college.

* Food:

The food in São Paulo was heavily influenced by Italian food but there was one corner Brazilian store that served my favorite dish!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I feel as though the city that I was in was very wealthy and white, and as a student of color, I felt excluded in outings by the people. I felt the most welcomed in spaces that centered queer Brazilians of color, so my advice would be to look for those spaces. Lucia Aparelha

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

This program had the best health care apparently from locals it's a nationally rated hospital.

* Safety:

The only thing I thought was unsafe was that phones were being stolen, but be smart. Don't have your phone out. I would recommend bringing an older-looking phone as those won't be stolen.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved the people in CET, Brazil! Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming, and I could go to them if I had any concerns. Amazing professors, especially professor Vinicius!

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I think this was the most challenging part about being in São Paulo. It was a wealthy city, and everything had the price of the US. Some shoes cost more than they would in the US. I felt as though budgeting was very hard.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150 USD each week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would recommend that students choose one thing to focus on when spending their money. If they want to travel to other parts of Brazil, they should cook more often instead of buying food.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

By the time it hit May, I was fluent in Portuguese after only taking two semesters of Portuguese.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? I completed an intermediate Portuguese class
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? I would encourage students to speak with locals and other students at their university,

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • People
  • Culture
* What could be improved?
  • The social Justice aspect in class material.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have budgeted better and I wish I would have spent more time traveling to other parts of Brazil

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.