There are better ways to learn Portuguese Past Review
By KANITRA F (Latin American Studies., The University of Texas at Austin) for
Study Abroad Programs in Brazil
It was worthwhile, but I would not do it again. I went strictly to learn Portuguese, and it would have been best to go alone and take private classes and not be able to speak English in my free time.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My instructor was excellent, but I was disappointed by how much English was spoken after class with the other students. If I had traveled on my own, I would have spoken much more Portuguese. Also, I requested a private tutor (that I would have paid out of pocket), and my request was denied. |
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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? |
Salvador in the Graca neighborhood - Single woman and her nephew <br /><br /> |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | N/A |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 1st-year Portuguese |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
My instructor was excellent, but I was disappointed by how much English was spoken after class with the other students. If I had traveled on my own, I would have spoken much more Portuguese. Also, I requested a private tutor (that I would have paid out of pocket), and my request was denied. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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