Short n Sweet April 09, 2025
By A student (IGS: Global Environmental Change, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/01/2024 to 12/20/2024 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Niterói
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I think that I learned a lot about the culture and Brasil which I really appreciated. I mostly learned a lot about independence and managing on my own in a foreign country because while the program did give us support it was a lot that we had to figure out on our own.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Yes but not under the same abroad director |
Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around 50USD (I am also a foodie so I love eating out so I'm not the best representative of this) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Use the public transport and uber moto when you need it and really utilize the dining halls |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Advanced Portuguese (intro level) |
| 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? | Talk to your host and hang out with them -- they're usually very willing to chat and help you learn the language |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I think there is some warning about cultural shock and homesickness before heading abroad, but I think that could be more emphasized and that more support could be provided around that. |
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 BlazerCraving 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: |
Agricultura Urbana |
| Course Department: | GeoAmbiental |
| Instructor: | Dr. Alexandre Jose Firme-Vieria |
| Instruction Language: | Portuguese |
| Comments: | No, the class was easy to understand and be integrated into but was adequately challenging |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Poder e Política no Estado do Rio de Janeiro |
| Course Department: | Political Science |
| Instructor: | William Bueno Rebouças |
| Instruction Language: | Portuguese |
| Comments: | It was challenging but super interesting and the work was a lot but not overwhelming and very rewarding |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
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