Saudade: SIT Sustainability and Environmental Justice Fall 2025 January 03, 2026
By Belinda L (Environmental Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/01/2025 to 12/15/2025 with
SIT Study Abroad: Portugal - Sustainability and Environmental Justice
It was very fulfilling to complete my academic research paper for my Independent Study Project. Working alongside my mentor provided me so many valuable skills that will be useful far into my future. I intend to continue my research and get my paper published once back on campus.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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
This program introduced me to so many new friends whose different backgrounds, college experiences, and work ethics introduced me to so many new friends that I would have never had the chance to meet on Brandeis' campus. We grew so close that every week we would hold a potluck dinner where everyone made a dish to share with the group. While the excursions we went on were educational they felt like taking a vacation with all your best friends. |
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) |
Brandeis does not provide a stipend for groceries. Other students on my program were provided stipends which helped them significantly during their time in Portugal. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $350 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Portugal uses Uber but also has a cheaper alternative called Bolt. Groceries are generally cheap. If you are looking for a more specific item the mall has a Costco equivalent called Continente which carries more "American" type foods. Although shopping here tends to be more expensive then Pingo Doce or Lidl, the smaller grocery stores. |
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? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Start learning Portuguese beforehand and you will get placed in a higher level class. All but one of us were placed in the lowest level where the stuff we learned overlapped a lot with Spanish. |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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? | While prices in Portugal are cheaper than most other countries in Europe the costs add up. Be sure to budget properly and plan your spending limits before starting the program. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
