Rio de Janeiro: A Mitade Marvilhosa Past Review
By Jared M (Romance Languages and Literatures, Harvard University) for
Pontificia Universidade Catolica Do Rio De Janiero: Rio de Janeiro - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
YES!!! I argue that study abroad would have been worthwhile for me at that time in my life no matter where I went. The program wasn't necessarily what I thought I was getting myself into, but I kept an open mind and I learned so much about myself and about the world. Going abroad was the best decision of my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Teaching was lecture driven. Courses were graded only at the end and somewhat obscurely. Never received feedback for most classes on graded work. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I often felt like they were running a business of trying to get foreign students. During my semester they had well over 400. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
This particular housing situation was not bad but there were sure in it for only the money. At first it didn't seem so, but they ended up with 6 students, so it was clear they didn't care whether or not I was there as long as I was paying. |
| * Food: |
It's not bad. Just a little repetitive. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Very poor. You're on your own. PUC won't help you. You have to try to make some friends and the students are at this school are fairly cliquey. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Rio is getting safer. Don't be stupid. Follow your gut and the locals and you should be fine. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | This is really flexible. You and eat at school during the week to save money and you can just use buses. Can range from 50R a week to as much as you can spend. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | registration fees with the federal police |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Beginning Portuguese for Spanish Speakers, Port AAB |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Many people spoke English but I refused to speak it with them. I spoke Portuguese the entire day. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | TALK TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE THIS!!! It's not for most people. You will be alone most of the time and the school is slow. You need a strong knowledge of the language and a willingness to learn. |
