Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Made me stronger Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/08/2019 to 12/14/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Niterói

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile but I did learn that it is important to feel happy about your living space because that is essentially supposed to be home. You must feel welcomed at all times!

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.

UFF as an institution has been neglected by the government in Brasil which obviously affects the resources and campus! I appreciated most teachers and the authenticity of the Brazilian academic culture that we were getting.

* 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 would do it again as long as I had a better place to stay, a more organized program structure and more say on my classes!

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)

I just had a living emergency and had to find housing quickly abroad. Other than that, I was ok.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 20 dollars.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Test the waters the first two weeks then plan accordingly.

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? 2 years
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? music, friends, host family, supermarket, books....

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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • My friends host family
  • The views
* What could be improved?
  • The program director
  • Living space
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That you do not need to force a connection with your supposed host family.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Relacoes Internacionais na America Latina
Course Department: RI
Instructor: Gabriel Passetti
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: Extremely challenging. I constantly tied into background history of the U.S. and Dominican Republic. The teacher was very knowledgable and prepared. He expected a lot from students. I participated the most I felt comfortable but less than at MIddlebury. I had two exams and one presentation.
Credit Transfer Issues: I would suggest more of a curve when transferring this course because it is graded so strictly! And you also do not know how you doing throughout it.
Course Name/Rating:

Sociologia e Relacoes Raciais
Course Department: Sociologia
Instructor: Flavia Rios
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: Definitely challenging! It was a great class that offered a different perspective into Brasil especially since the instructor and the majority of the class was black. Oftentimes, real experiences were brought into class discussions. I had a presentation and an essay.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Arte no Brasil
Course Department: Tourism
Instructor: Telma
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: Challenging since I did not have any previous knowledge or experience in Art History but I loved the professor who oftentimes brought in unique experiences into discussions
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Futebol e RI
Course Department: International Relations
Instructor: Adriano
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: He offered an interesting perspective into Brazilian soccer and made us look at it from a social, racial and class look. I appreciated this! Lectures could have been better.
Credit Transfer Issues: