Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Cultural Immersion and Integration. Brazil: Public Health, Race, & Human Rights Past Review

By (Health: Science, Society, and Policy (HSSP), and Sociology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/01/2012 to 12/14/2012 with

SIT Study Abroad: Reviews from Former Locations

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
my experience was amazing, especially the independent study project component where I had the opportunity to conduct my own research project on women's roles in families and how it affects their overall health and well-being in a specific neighborhood; through my interviews with women and other academic directors, I improved on the country's language and gained new public health and social science perspectives on topics related to family and gender roles

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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? $20.00

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? fluent in Korean and took Spanish for a number of years but not proficient
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • independent study project
  • homestay experience
  • excursions to different parts of Brazil
* What could be improved?
  • the availability of more staff members in the program
  • more than one translator
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known how intensive the Portuguese speaking component was in the program; If I had known this, I would have studied Portuguese more in depth before the program began.

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 Linguist
You 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!