The Greatest Semester of my University life Past Review

By Cecilia C (Latin American Studies and Sociology, The University of Texas at Austin) for

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I am so happy I decided to study abroad. It truly changed my life. I had some incredible experiences and formed some amazing friendships and found a lot about myself. I further solidified my interest for Brasil and I hope to return one day.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	I never really had any issues where I need to seek help from the office but they seemed like they were willing to help us with any problems we might have had.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I had the most wonderful host family ever! They really were my family for 5 months. I felt right a home. I really can't say enough about them. I love them! They helped me with everything from telling what bus to take to get somewhere to picking me up at the airport after I traveled somewhere.
* Food:	Acai!!!! Eat lots of it. And make sure to check out a rodizio de pizza before you leave. All you can eat pizza (including yummy desert pizza) for 20 reais!
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	As exchange any trips you take will have to be on your own. Make sure to explore the city as much as you can. I wish I would have more!
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
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)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	You have to pay when you register with the federal police so be prepared for that!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	Second Year Portugues II
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?
Language acquisition improvement?	My portuguese was of a less than questionable level before I got there but it most defiantly approved once I was forced to use it everyday. I practiced with my host family and friends.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university?	Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	If you hesitant about going to abroad because of a lack of confidence in you language ability I say just go for it!!!! I was so scared my Portuguese was not at an adequate level for taking university courses and to be honest it probably wasn't (at first!). But you will be surprise how much your Portuguese will improve even if you feel it isn't! Everyone around you will. And you probably won't realize it yourself until your back in the states. Yes, there will be some difficult times and there will be times when you question your decision to have come in the first place. But the good times out way the bad. In the end you probably won't want to leave! Just enjoy your time there.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Historia do Brasil III
Course Department:	Historia
Instructor:	Regina Horta Duarte
Instruction Language:	Portuguese
Comments:	This class was a bit disappointing. I didn't really feel like I learned much about the actual history of Brasil. It was more focused on theory than on learning about specific historical events. I guess this do to the fact that most of classmates knew this period in history pretty well prior to taking this class. I obviously was at a disadvantage not having grown up learning Brazilian history.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Sociologia de Religiao
Course Department:	Sociology
Instructor:	Christina Maria de Castro
Instruction Language:	Portuguese
Comments:	This was my favorite class. At first I found it a bit frustrating because all we did was read text and then go to class and have the Professor go over it, so it seemed a bit redundant. Sometimes I read the text sometimes I didn't for I knew the professor would just go over it during class. Regardless, the text were well chosen and I learned a lot! My professor was also very nice and helpful. She let me do my final paper in english!
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Os Direitos Humanos Em Perspectiva
Course Department:	Ciencia Politica
Instructor:	Marlise Matos
Instruction Language:	Portuguese
Comments:	I am not going to lie. I spent most of the semester hating this class. It seemed all we talked about was the philosophical aspects of human rights. I wondered if we were ever going to learn about actual human rights cases. But in the end I did actually realize that I had learn a thing or two (mostly philosophical stuff...) My professor was this really cool feminist/activist lady. But alas an excellent activist doth not make the best professor. It was fun listening to her rants about neoliberalism though and I guess that was really half the class. I also got a B when I think I deserved an A. Hard grader!!
Credit Transfer Issues: