Abroad in Brazil Past Review
By Marissa H (Miami University) - abroad from 12/27/2013 to 01/25/2014 with
Summit Global Education: Brazil - Study Abroad Tour of Brazil
My abroad experience was one of a lifetime. I learned so much about being an outsider to another culture, cross-cultural business management, and understanding myself in new, unique settings.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Absolutely wonderful learning opportunity. The classes were not too entirely difficult, but they forced you to really think about the bigger picture. The university was very nice and was located in an exciting city setting. The true learning came from the overall experience. I loved the flexibility I was allowed in the program. You are truly immersed into a new culture and have to quickly learn about your surroundings and yourself. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program allows for a lot of flexibility-you get out what you put in. Besides classes, nothing planned by the program is really mandatory. This can be a positive and a negative if you are someone who wants a set plan for yourself everyday. The activities that are suggested are AWESOME and posted on the wiki page for anyone to go attend! The program was most fun when everyone attended activities, so make friends and encourage the whole group to go! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing varies depending on the city you are visiting. It may not be the ritz, but the experience is absolutely worth it. Being in a crowded hostel was one of the best parts of the whole trip, regardless of the lack of air conditioning. |
| * Food: |
EAT EVERYTHING PEOPLE PUT IN FRONT OF YOU! Even the chicken hearts, you will not regret it. Prepare to put on some pounds because the food is incredible and in abundance. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The language barrier was sometimes difficult, but I happily participated in every cultural norm I could. Brazilians are very friendly and we had awesome help from cultural advisers in how to appropriately follow the culture. I tried to shed my gringo status, and had the tan and the attitude of a Brazilian by the end of the trip. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The program has you pay for healthcare on the trip and the pricing was very reasonable. Know that buying brands of drugs at the drugstore in Brazil can be VERY expensive, but they things they have will work just fine. I only felt sick once and was quickly given something to heal my ailments. |
| * Safety: |
People had preconceived notions about Brazil being unsafe. In reality, you just had to keep your head on your shoulders and you felt like you were in any other city. I stuck with some buddies and used good judgement and never felt like I was truly in any danger. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Brazil has a very high cost of living, especially when you are staying in the nicer parts of the cities. It is not unreasonable and you can find affordable options for things, but food, toiletries, and luxuries get pricey. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably around 200 dollars. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | When you can cook in the apartments or hostels do it! It's fun to make traditional dishes with the Brazilian students. Pick and choose what big purchases you make and don't spend too much money on the drinks! |
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 |
I was not able to take the Portuguese language course offered, but I still learned so much during the trip. I was constantly encouraged to use Portuguese and was forced to quickly learn general terms since nobody spoke English. |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had taken spanish for a few years so that helped me learn Portuguese. |
| 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? | Practice and try your best! You will order every meal, ask for directions, and chat in bars in Portuguese. I knew nothing and by the end was making friends and ordering complex meals with the locals. |
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? |
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? | Living expenses in Rio can be expensive and I needed a bigger suitcase to put all my purchases in! |
