Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A different kind of learning experience Past Review

By (Spanish Language and Literature, Grand Valley State University) - abroad from 08/01/2014 to 12/05/2014 with

ISA Study Abroad in Florianopolis, Brazil

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile! The biggest thing that I learned is that if you want to do something like learn a language or meet locals, you have to make it happen and not just wait for the opportunity to come along.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

One of my classes was disorganized (Cultural Development for International Students Abroad) but the others were taught very well.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Excellent staff and support within the country.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had a wonderful host family and had minimal misunderstandings due to the language. They were very inclusive and invited me to many events.

* Food:

The food wasn't extraordinary or very different from what I'm used to, but it was simple, healthy, and relatively cheap.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I encountered many friendly Brazilians in a variety of places (city buses, Couchsurfing meetings, trails, beaches, grocery stores, etc.) and was often invited to join them for barbecues, outdoor activities, travels outside of the city, etc. Overall, I felt very integrated in the local culture and made a lot of friends with locals.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I only had one medical emergency when I was bitten by a dog during the first week. The ISA staff took all the necessary precautions to make sure the dog had been vaccinated and that I received medical attention.

* Safety:

Floripa is relatively safe and the only concern I encountered was when the city bus system had a few encounters with criminals and the schedule was tightened for safety reasons. I never felt unsafe during my semester abroad, though.

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)

Things were a little more expensive than I had thought (especially transportation and going out at night) and I had to tighten my budget during the semester

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $60
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make a budget before you go! Know the costs for things such as going out and taxi fares and limit expensive activities. I found that most of the best experiences were free or almost free: hiking, biking, visiting museums, and walking around town are all good examples.

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? 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? No prior Portuguese experience
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? Go out with locals and don't be afraid to be the only international student to go. One of my best experiences was when I went out with a group of local hikers that I had found on Facebook and was forced to speak Portuguese all day.

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

  • 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?
  • Location
  • Staff
  • Host Family
* What could be improved?
  • Course offerings
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known how much things cost on the island.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.