Brazil: Learning through experience! Past Review
By Scott M (Economics., Austin College) for
SIT Study Abroad: Reviews from Former Locations
We had the oppertunity to not only discuss differnet social and environmental issues that are happening in Brazil, but were able to visit the places where they were occuring, talk (and sometimes live) with the people that were being directly affected by these things. My understanding for this culture is no where near complete, but I believe this program does an excellent job exposing students to this culture. I would really like to come back to Brazil, whether it be for a volunteer oppertunity, an internship, or a job.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Everything, aside from the portuguese class, was all lecture and discussion based. We were graded on our participation in the discussions and a few written assignments throughout the semester. This program IS experiential learning. We had the oppertunity to explore so many different places, and through the eyes of so many different people. With this said, you have to be open to discuss the things you learned, and eventually there is a final that tests you over some broader topics that you learn about throughout the semester. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our on-site administrator was unbelievable. He was able to teach us about so many different things and is VERY knowledgable about all of them. We had nine students on this program, and it turned out to be a perfect number. Something I did not anticipate was the relationships I have formed here withthe other students. During this experience I never felt there was a lack of support or accessibility of any of the administrators. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I feel my home-stay helped my portuguese immensely. I was nervous before my homestay but they have really become my family here. I did not have to buy any thing to settle in with, they provided everything I needed. |
| * Food: |
The street vendors that sell hamburgers are AMAZING. All of them. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We spent 3 weeks traveling down the amazon river...AMAZING. Every excursion we went on was incredible. I have yet to find myself feeling bored here. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Just use common sense while in the city. You hear of people getting mugged in the city, but I feel like that happens in any sort of large city. Dont talk on your cell phone while on the streets/bus and dont openly show your money. The people that had health issues, like allergic reactions, had no problem accessing health care. The vaccines we needed were yellow fever, typhoid, hep and take malaria medication while here. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Every meal was provided by my family, but if you wanted to go out to eat, you had to pay for it yourself. I found that I usually went out once or twice a week spending about R$10. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The bus is R$2 per ride, and if your family doesnt have internet, you can pay for an internet cafe on the weekends for about R$2 per hour. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
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 did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be ready to have the experince of a lifetime. The amount of places we went is unbeleivable. I think that students who have an interest in environemntal issues and likes the out doors would be perfect for this program. |
