The most beautiful city in the world Past Review
By A student (International Relations And Global Studies, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 12/28/2011 to 07/03/2012 with
SUNY New Paltz: Rio de Janeiro - Study Abroad at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro
I gained and learned to much to even mention. I have traveled and lived abroad before but if you keep your eyes and ears open Rio will teach you everything you need to know.No other place is like that.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I should mention all my classes were in Portuguese |
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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? |
Lived in apartment with friends |
| * Food: |
Prato feitos are where it's at. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Brazilians are very friendly |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I broke my toe when I was there and they took good care of me. Be prepared in the hospital though. |
| * Safety: |
Just stay away from the favelas unless you know someone there to show you around. If you know someone I encourage you to go. Some of my favorite memories were in them. |
| 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) |
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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Everything is more expensive in the "Zona Sul". Cheap clothes and pretty much everything else can be found at a huge open market called Uruguiana. The quality of any sort of electronic is simply terrible. |
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 |
If you wanted to use the language the sky was the limit |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Not sure |
| 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? | Actually find a friend that speaks it and... Speak it. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Nothing. |
