10/10 Experience with CET Brazil October 11, 2025
By vaicorinthians (Social Justice and Inequality, Amherst College) - abroad from 01/30/2025 to 06/04/2025 with
CET Brazil
I learned so much about Brazilian culture and society, not only through the interesting coursework, but also through making lasting connections with local students. I learned a lot about putting myself in new and maybe initially uncomfortable situations, but I gained so much from it. It was definitely worthwhile, I had the best time of my life. I highly recommend this program.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
All classes were very engaging and related to São Paulo and Brazil. I really enjoyed the core course on Social Justice and Inequality in 21st Century Brazil, Portuguese for Spanish Speakers, and Brazilian Economics and Development. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were so kind, supportive, and helpful. Very nice people who look out for you. When you enter the academic center, you are always welcomed by them. They curate a very warm environment. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a 6-person apartment with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a washing machine, a kitchen, and a living room. I really got along well with my immediate roommate. |
| * Food: |
The food is very good, but the program does not provide it. PUC (local university has a dining hall where you can get cheap meals), restaurants are good, and many grocery stores nearby in the neighborhood for cooking. You have your own kitchen in your apartment, so you can really cook every meal if you want. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Very integrated. Through the local university, you can join clubs which makes it much easier to integrate. These clubs have many social events, which allow you to make good friendships with local students and interact with Brazilian university culture. Additionally, the roommate setup is very helpful, as I was able to meet my roommate's family in another part of the city and spend time with them. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Very good, the program staff is very helpful in finding you the best path to recovery if there is a health issue. They enroll you in a very good insurance plan and there is one of South America's best hospitals very close by. |
| * Safety: |
As long as you are aware of your surroundings and not putting yourself into potentially dangerous situations, you'll encounter very few or no issues. Obviously, compared to a college campus in the United States, being in the middle of one of the world's most populated cities is not the safest. Phone thefts are not uncommon in São Paulo, so it's important to be aware of that. That being said, the program does a great job during orientation, teaching you what to do and what not to do, and prepares you for your time there. You are also staying in a safe neighborhood. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would just want to enroll in more classes only in Portuguese, as I only took 2/5 only in Portuguese. |
Finances
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* 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) |
Pretty easily. This also depends on how many trips you make, how much you go out, and how much you eat out. What really eats away at expenses are trips outside of São Paulo. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had only taken spanish courses before coming, and by the end of my time, I was writing essays and able to have full conversations in portuguese. |
| 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? | Make friends with local students! Strike up conversations with strangers when you are in stores or in an Uber! Make the effort to speak the language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The direct enrollment courses in Portuguese at PUC can be achieved if you are willing to put in a lot of effort with the language. I stuck with the courses taught in portuguese at the CET academic center. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
