Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Growing in brazilian culture Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/07/2017 to 12/22/2017 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Niterói

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about my own independence in a foreign country. I grew a lot as an adult who was ready to graduate and move to the real world.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

I loved the experience and the people I met. Living with local students made a big difference in meeting people my own age.

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? US$30/week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I think bringing some spending money besides the money expected to spend on food and housing is helpful to explore the place.

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? 300 level
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? Documenting your experience in the language helps with writing, reading, and speaking skills. I wrote a journal during the entire semester.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • Living with local students
  • Food
  • Writing class
* What could be improved?
  • Host family selection process
  • Mental health resources
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The study abroad program needs mental health resources. I spent a lot of time alone going through big changes and would have appreciated someone professional to speak to. It was a big transition.

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:

Anthropology of Art
Course Department: Anthropology
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: The teacher was well-prepared with lectures and powerpoint presentations. She was patient and understanding that I was an exchanged student. She accommodated her midterms and final for the whole class.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Foreign Politics

Course Department: Political Science
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: This class was challenging because it was the second course but I had heard that the chair of this department, who was the teacher for the class, is a good instructor. He was understanding that I was an exchanged student and provided the necessary help for me to understand the material.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Anthropology of Language
Course Department: Anthropology
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: This was my favorite class because the professor was well-prepared and engaging in his lectures. I learned a lot about language theory and practice. We talked about the romance languages which helped me understand a lot of its characteristics in comparison to other languages.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

History of Brazilian Culture and Politics
Course Department: History
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: This was the hardest class because the instructor had high expectations from her students. She was also preparing a lot of student in this class for their thesis so we did a lot of writing. This class helped me improve my writing skills and learned a great deal.
Credit Transfer Issues: No