Go to Brazil and learn about yourself and your strengh. Past Review
By ariannenmm (International Relations And Global Studies, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 03/04/2013 to 06/14/2013 with
Universidade Federal De Minas Gerais (UFMG): Belo Horizonte - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned that being abroad by yourself, without a host family to take care of you, is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I gained great friendships from people in Brazil and all over the world. I learned that giving someone your trust is not the same as having them trust in you. I learned to stand up for myself and speak when something or someone does something I don't approve of. Though I had a lot of hardships while abroad, I do believe it was worthwhile to understand myself in that way.
Review Photos
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. |
I had some really great professors that could easily compare to professors here at UT. They were very helpful when I had questions and/or concerns about class or my grades. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were helpful when you would seek them out, but they never took a hands-on approach, they did not organize any type of event or field trip for us (as UT does for their international students) |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had to find my own living arrangements through the internet, and when I showed up at orientation, half of the exchange students had been living at the university dorms, a place we were never told about. My living situation turned out to be horrible and out of desperation and pleading, they let me stay the last month of my exchange at the dorms. |
| * Food: |
The university has a cafeteria with really great balanced food, including vegetarian dishes, for a really low price, and this includes lunch and dinner. I ate there everyday! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was lucky I already knew a few people before arriving in BH but other students in class ended up being very friendly and helpful. I made friends mostly from other majors at social events on campus. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The healthcare system there was HORRIBLE. I was glad I got everything taken care of before at the UHS on campus before leaving. I never personally had to use it but I had other friends that did due to Dengue Fever, the only hospital we were allowed to go get treated at was miles and miles away, apparently only accessible by car... something no exchange student has. |
| * Safety: |
Compared to other Brazilian big cities, I would have to say that BH was very safe, in retrospect. Nothing happened to me though I was careful (coming also from a Latin American country). I never went out or walked at night by myself, I never took out my phone in public, especially on public transportation. I had friends who experienced some incidents, but it was all petty theft and they were either standing by the bus stop in the dark by themselves or they were walking through a favela late at night. |
| 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) |
Honestly, the budget was pretty great. I was able to live in a really nice, new apartment in BH and cover rent, utilities, food, and personal expenses for $800 a month. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | See above. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I think I spent way too much on rent. I was paying $650 reais per month due to a Brazilian friend's suggestion on prices. You can get really nice apartments or republicas for about R$400 a month (about $200 US) or less. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Upper Division Portuguese: POR 350K LUSO-BRAZILIAN FILM |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Watch films, listen to Brazilian music, find Brazilians on campus (there are a ton!), and practice with study abroad students that have already been abroad. |
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? | I wish I had known more about the city and the way it worked. Also, I wish I had prepared myself better to take things into my own hands, since my parents weren't close by to advise me on what to do in stressful situations. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
