Unforgettable Experience February 21, 2024

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes that I took in Niteroi helped enhance my learning in architecture, especially because some of the classes that I took were not offered at Middlebury. They were rigorous in a way that the things that I was learning and doing I had no prior experience to.

On-site administration of your program

I think that the administration on-site was sort of disorganized. There was help if it was needed but the program director made things very confusing and not clear. I did not have my CPF until half through the program because I did not know when or how to start the process. Things like that should clear especially if there is consequences if not completed.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was staying in a Republica which is basically an apartment with other college students and it was nice. I think the living space was close enough to school and was a safe area in general.

I loved trying new food, if there was something I had never tried before I wouldn't hesitate to. Also UFF had a dining hall that offered lunch and dinner. Their food was really good and so classic brazilian meals.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I think that at first it was a little difficult to understand people especially since many people spoke informal portuguese and a lot of slang. But overtime I feel like integrated well into the Brazilian community. I made friends who I could speak portuguese to, and I also really liked the relationship I had with my professors. The culture was also just so unique and different which made it possible for curiosity.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was pretty fine during the majority time of the program but on the trip that Middlebury offers to Salvador I got an allergic reaction and the online hotline that Middlebury uses did not really work well they did not really help. FInding a hospital nearby that took GeoBlue insurance through the app took a while so I decided to go to any hospital. When at the hospital the treatment was not bad, they definitely helped me relieve my allergic reaction.

There were definitely some areas that were sketchy but if you were aware of those areas being dangerous you simply would not go. But in my general area where I was staying at I did not feel unsafe.

I think that in Brazil I truly learned that people around the world live differently. I felt like in Brazil I was not only welcomed and helped by the locals I felt like I was apart of them. Unity is important to Brazilians and that is what I loved most because I personally think the United States focus a lot on individualism. Also the environment was immaculate and being in a warm and sunny place made it even better, the beaches were one of kind nothing like the beaches here.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I think there was a good amount of things like street food that was cheap but most things were pretty expensive in stores. It also really depends on the person on what they waste their money on.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

All of my classes were professors who spoke in Portuguese and my classmates as well so I was forced to speak Portuguese which I loved. There was also a Portuguese class we took that helped me learn more of the vocabulary especially used in Rio.

Select all that apply

• Apartment

Select all that apply

• Local Students

Select all that apply

• Local Students

• People
• Culture
• Environment

• CPF organizing
• Providing housing ahead of time
• More trips, especially since brazil is so similar but different everywhere

The Outright Urbanite