Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My Time in Minas January 07, 2023

By (International Relations, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/22/2022 to 12/22/2022 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Belo Horizonte

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I am now very fluent in Portuguese, immersed myself in Brazilian culture. It was absolutely worthwile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was challenging my first semester but I had all the resources necessary to do well enough.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Sílvia is amazing and cares a lot about her students' success. Very well-organized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing situation was fine, I was able to resolve difficult situations when they came up. Just be chill and try to find amenable solutions.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

By the end of the program, I became very well-integrated with the local language and culture. People here can tell I went to Minas by the way I speak Portuguese.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have health issues during the program. I had to get a few vaccines for Brazil. Obviously COVID was a prevalent health issue, and dengue I guess. I was kept well-informed by Sílvia who runs the program in Brazil.

* Safety:

Belo Horizonte is very safe, just take normal precautions, pay attention to your surroundings, don't zone out on your phone in the street, don't wear any ostentatious jewelry.

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)

The amount of financial aid I got was ample compared to what I needed.

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

Middlebury Language Pledge. If someone wants to immerse themselves, I would say to adhere to the pledge the best you can, do everything in Portuguese outside your room/calling family and friends. back home.

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? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300-level Portuguese
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Listen to others, ask questions, practice speaking in various contexts.

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
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The emphasis the program puts on language immersion with the language pledge
  • The location is ideal for studying Portuguese, there are very few foreigners
  • The trip to Salvador during the semester is very interesting, helps students put their experience into perspective
* What could be improved?
  • I think one more program staff member to help Sílvia would be ideal
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Take multiple classes in the same semester/time of day category to better integrate oneself with a group of classmates.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Tomada de Decisão na Política Internacional
Course Department: International Relations
Instructor: Raquel Gontijo
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: