Brazil...GOOOAAAALLLLLLLLL Past Review
By Robert B (Molecular Bio, University of California - Merced) for
University of California EAP (UCEAP): Salvador - Language & Culture, UC Center Bahia
This experience helped get me a Internship as a Brazilian Public Policy Analyst. O yeah,Bahia Ganhou!
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. |
Not the structure I was used to, but an interesting take on important issues. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Moby and Clara are boss |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I LOVED my mae. She treated me way better than my mom.. |
| * Food: |
So Much Rice....and Beans. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everything was awesome. Parades, festivals...Brazilians know how to have a good time. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
My health issues were Atypical, as I was sent to the ER three times, But healthcare in Brazil requires that you pay up front( $2500 dollars each visit) and are reimbursed by your insurance company at a latter date( 9 weeks.) |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 700-800, but that includes hotels and lots of travel. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat at home if budgeting is a concern. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | NA |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Talk with everyone; Taxi Drivers, people on the beach. You will embarrass yourself, but don't let that discourage you. its part of the process. |
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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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? | If your the self-conscious shy type this is not the program for you...this is for people who want adventure and new experiences, both the good and the bad. |
