Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Great Opportunity to Learn About a New Culture and Yourself. Brazil: Social Justice & Sustainable Development Past Review

By (Urban and Environmental Policy, Occidental College) - abroad from 02/19/2013 to 06/03/2013 with

SIT Study Abroad: Reviews from Former Locations

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It enriched my life and perspective with new cultural and personal experiences. It increased my global perspective and strayed away from a U.S. centric one. Also, on an emotional level, it forced me to grow as a person by making me take on challenges that I never would have thought I would be able to do. It was completely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

This program focuses more on learning through first hand experience. Whether that be by traveling to a unique community, doing your own research, or learning to speak Portuguese by talking to natives. Although this method may be more unconventional than most universities you learn a lot!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was living with a host family. Multiple times a week a staff member of SIT would check in with the host family, as well as myself, to see how things were going. I felt well taken care of.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt like this program took great lengths to expose us to as much culture, both local and national, as they could. Beyond that, over my time there I did form relationships with some Brazilians I met while I was there.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I personally did not have any health problems while I was there, but I did feel, had there been one, I would have had access to the care I needed.

* Safety:

Safety is an issue in this country. It's not something that you have to be afraid of, I just found that it was something I had to be more aware of than I was used to.

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)

The exchange rate in Brazil while I was there was very favorable to the dollar. I had originally been worried about budgeting but things such as food, transport, and housing was pretty cheap. The only thing that was expensive was clothing.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $30
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save your money for Salvador. Although things are slightly more expensive there, the open air markets are incredible!

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

We took intensive Portuguese and were living with non-English speaking families. The goal was to get participants to a high level of Portuguese speaking ability.

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? Self-Taught
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? Even though it may be awkward, try to speak to your host family as much as possible. It will help you in the long run.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
* 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?
  • The staff and other participants
  • the culture and location
  • the knowledge I gained, both academic and just general life insights
* What could be improved?
  • Giving better suggestions for possible language preparation techniques prior to arrival
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that participants receive a cell phone once they arrive (I had bought an international one before hand) and that once the program is officially over participants have to find their own way of getting to the airport on their departure date.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.