Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Incredible Past Review

By (Study Abroad, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/13/2017 to 12/16/2018 with

Federal Fluminense University: Niteroi - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be flexible.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I believe that UFF did a great job of challenging me academically. The professors were also very helpful in making sure that I was accommodated.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

My program coordinator was exceptional!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family definitely made my experience in Brazil. We would go on vacations together, and we are still in contact to this day.

* Food:

Because of my Hispanic baxkground, I had no problems adjusting to the food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I made many friends who exposed me to the local culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no health problems in Brazil, but some of my friends abroad did, and they said that they were well-attended to.

* Safety:

I think that any urban setting requires "street smarts." For people who are not from major cities/have not developed these skills, UFF might not be the space for you.

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

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $25
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? No.

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Pgse 355
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? Devote yourself to learning the language. Fully immerse yourself

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • The excursions
  • The connections
* What could be improved?
  • Ending activities a week before returning back to the U.S.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Have fun; It's not all about school.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Anthro 101
Course Department: Anthropology
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: Yes. We were tasked with field work that involved us to work with Rio's sole Muslim mosque. The professor was knowledgeable and well prepared.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues tranferring credits.
Course Name/Rating:

History of Rio de Janeiro
Course Department: History
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: The was my favorite class. It explored Rio's relationship to slavery during Portuguese colonial times. The professor was also extremely knowledgeable of course content.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues with credits.
Course Name/Rating:

Anthropology of Language
Course Department: Anthropology
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: This course was challenging, yet engaging. The teacher was knowledgeable of content, but the academic calendar disrupted many class sessions.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues with credits
Course Name/Rating:

Afro Brazilian Culture
Course Department: N/A
Instructor: Silvia Lorenso
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: No, it was a place where Midd students were able to further their knowledge of the barriers Afro-Brazilians confront. Our excursion to Salvador, Bahía was also extremely powerful.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues.
Course Name/Rating:

Brazilian Public Policy
Course Department: PoliSci
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: This class was EXTREMELY difficult because I had no context of Brazilian public policy before this class. The teacher was knowledgeable, but was not the most accommodating. There were exams and papers for this class.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.