Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

One Hundred and One (Fun) Ways to Put Your Foot in Your Mouth Past Review

By (Linguistics., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 07/29/2013 to 12/03/2013 with

Universidade Federal De Minas Gerais (UFMG): Belo Horizonte - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I can now say I'm fluent in another language. I learned how to live outside the US, met some new friends, and learned how different cultures can be. it was ABSOLUTELY worth it!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was intense, amazing, and I wish I'd been given a bit more instruction from the UFMG folks. Luckily I was warned before I arrived that I would get little to no help, but it still would have been nice.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Paperwork always takes multiple visits and lots of patience.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved where I lived, but UFMG did nothing to help me find it.

* Food:

Delicious, but it can get monotonous pretty quickly.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Didn't personally have any health issues, so I don't actually know.

* Safety:

BH is perfectly safe if you just remember to be smart. Don't play with your smart phone out in public, keep your purse close to you, don't go places that look dangerous

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)

Food is SOOOO cheap in Brazil!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? a little less than 50 dollars (unless I went travelling)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Take out money at an ATM to spend over a long perios of time (1 month, 2 weeks) and go to your local bakery every day. You can get 5 fresh pieces of bread for under 2 dollars.

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

Very few people in BH actually speak English

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? POR 611D
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? Don't spend all your time with international students. They probably all speak English, and it's very easy to slip in to it when it's easier for the both of you. Seek out Brazilians, especially ones with little to no experience with English, and make friends with them. Try to live with someone who doesn't know English.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
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?
  • meeting new people
  • learning the language better
  • sink-or-swim situation
* What could be improved?
  • not sure
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It's okay to not know everything that's going to happen.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!