Adventurous in Brazil Past Review
By Yasmin M (University of the Pacific) - abroad from 01/07/2013 to 06/21/2013 with
CIEE: Sao Paulo - Liberal Arts
I gain a lot of confidence in myself and I learned what it really meant to be independent! that even though I stuggled at times it was worth every minute! i learn more of a culture i never been before. I was able to go to an amazing country and live an experience like no one else. not only that even my classes at PUC were great, even though they were all in Portuguese i was a able to gain a different perspective with international Politics. overall it was an eye opening experience and I loved it!
Review Photos
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. |
I thought it was great, the Portuguese Professor were so helpful and I never had any issues in there class. They were also willing to help for out with out PUC classes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Excellent! Were able to help us with any issues and even find volunteering opportunities for us! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Some issues with beng a smoking family, but other then that family was great! |
| * Food: |
good but would have like more a variety, I was expecting more Brazilian food than lebanese food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Hard at the beginning but once school started it was much better, one really has to be willing to go out and make friends |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
somewaht slow at the hosital, but program was fast in acting when we need something done |
| * Safety: |
very safe! I would walk to and from school everyday! in the day and the night! (3 miles away) |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
4 it was had when i wanted to do thing, but once i started to make a budget it became easier to see where i was spending my money |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 a week for the most part |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | plan trip ahead and make sure you know that Brazil in not all the cheap. just be mindful of how much you spend by week, keeping a budget is a good way to keep you from overspending |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| 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? | french 4 semester, known spanish and english, no 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? | never give up, people make mistakes and it will happen no matter what. but not being scared to use the lanuguage will help you so much. even if you are with your American friends encourage one another to keep speaking in Portuguese. it will be worth it in the end |
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? | how much the cost of living actually was and the forms of transportations in order to travel, did not know before hand traveling was going to be a bit difficult and uncomfortable |
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. |
