Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! Past Review
By Meredith M (Spanish and Portuguese, The University of Texas at Austin) for
Pontificia Universidade Catolica Do Rio De Janiero: Rio de Janeiro - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes, it was worthwhile. The international coordinators from both schools were incompetent in my opinion, but it was good to have a different learning experience. The library and internet systems were quite frustrating...I had to have a lot of patience!
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 |
Even though the international student coordinator tries to help students, it's ineffective. I had to do a lot on my own that I thought I would have help with. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The UT international office told us that there would be no host families at PUC, but when we got there everyone else had one. It was very difficult and stressful finding housing, and I spent up to my last month worrying about it. Also, no one at the PUC international office helped with housing, unless it involved host families. |
| * Food: |
Brazilian food is delicious! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The international office took students on field trips, but I took my own trips. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Always be aware of your surroundings and use common sense. I didn't feel as safe as in the U.S., so you have to be extra careful. Don't be scared to go, though, because it's a beautiful country! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
|
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) |
|
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Visa and other government fees were expenses I didn't expect to pay. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | POR 516 (Portuguese for Spanish speakers 3&4 combined) |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Participating in class could be nerve racking, but it definitely helped my language skills and gave me more confidence. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Get your classes pre-approved if possible and make sure you have a place to live. Also, go out and see the city, because it's awesome! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Brazilian Literature I |
| Course Department: | Languages |
| Instructor: | Marilia Cardoso |
| Instruction Language: | Portuguese |
| Comments: | It was challenging, but it helped me develop my Portuguese writing skills. I could tell that the professor was genuinely interested in my progress. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Get your classes pre-approved if possible. It'll save you a lot of stress. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Portuguese Grammar (for Brazilians) |
| Course Department: | Languages |
| Instructor: | Cristina Goes |
| Instruction Language: | Portuguese |
| Comments: | I loved her and loved the class! She was one of the best and nicest professors I've ever had, and she genuinely seemed interested in my progress. I learned a lot and definitely have found the class valuable. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Get your classes pre-approved if possible. It'll save you a lot of stress. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Brazilian Literature II |
| Course Department: | Languages |
| Instructor: | Vera Souza Lima |
| Instruction Language: | Portuguese |
| Comments: | It was incredibly unorganized. The material was interesting, but the professor's lack of organization and preparation were not helpful, especially to the foreigners. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Get your classes pre-approved if possible. It'll save you a lot of stress. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Brazilian History |
| Course Department: | History |
| Instructor: | Teresa Mello |
| Instruction Language: | Portuguese |
| Comments: | This class had all foreigners, but it was taught in Portuguese. She was an intense professor, but I feel like I learned a lot about Brazilian history. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Get your classes pre-approved if possible. It'll save you a lot of stress. |
