Surreal Brasil! Past Review
By Shaniece C (Criminal Justice and Corrections., Grand Canyon University) - abroad from 06/19/2014 to 07/24/2014 with
USAC Brazil: Florianópolis - International Business, Environmental/Conservation Management, and Latin American Studies
When I came to Brasil I didn't fully know what to expect, all I knew was the American culture. Of course I was scared at first but it's amazing how fast that fear transformed into joy once I was able to open my eyes to a beautiful new culture. Stepping out of my comfort zone allowed me to see things in ways I never did, accept ideas I never thought I would, and find beautiful friendships in the most unlikeliest of places. I learned a lot in Brasil, not just about the culture but about myself. To say my experience was worth it is a severe understatement. When I got on the plane to come back to the states I definitely left my heart in Brasil.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
With small class sizes and caring instructors it was easy to excel in my studies and still manage to enjoy Brasilian activities and tours. The rigorous language course was extremely helpful in breaking down language barriers allowing me to connect with the natives instead of feeling like just another tourist, I was really able to establish life long friendships. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
John is without a doubt an incredible program administrator. He really went out of his way to ensure all of the students were safe, healthy, and enjoying their experience. He encouraged cultural immersion and was always able to suggest places of personal interest from genuine Brasilian restaurants to jaw dropping hikes. He's awesome! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The landlord was very respectful of privacy yet was always readily available if we had any concerns. Housing was close to school and a social setting so transportation wasn't an issue, a quick bus ride or nice walk was all I needed. |
| * Food: |
Brasilian food is phenomenal! Everything was so fresh and satisfying, definitely going to miss the acai! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There was a large sense of freedom which allowed me to venture off and just immerse myself with the locals. Their so friendly and prideful of their country that they were eager to suggest awesome places to go and would often invite the study abroad students to join them in local festivities. Once I allowed myself to be engulfed in the culture I was able to see everything about Brasil is beautiful, it was so surreal. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I personally had no health concerns while in Brasil, but having the student health insurance gave me security that I'd be taken care of if anything went wrong. |
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| 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) |
I found the cost of living to be surprisingly affordable. Fortunately the US dollar is more valuable in Brasil, and on top of that food is cheap. Paying for food by weight is popular in Brasil so I always felt like I got my money's worth when I would dine out. Fresh fruit from farmers markets is so cheapn it's ridiculous, so I would often stock up on fruit for snacking or putting in meals. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around 40 dollars per week, more if I went on an outdoor activity such as paddle boarding or snorkeling, and even then never more than 80 dollars per week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you are able, try and put money aside here and there as soon as you begin to plan your trip. It's very easy to satisfy your basic needs at a low cost, but the more you save the more activities you'll be able to do, and there's SO much to do in Brasil. |
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 |
The instructor encouraged us to speak as little English as possible in and outside the classroom. She made it clear that locals would be able to tell we were American but instead of making fun of us they would applaud our efforts and help us to speak better Portuguese, which made me feel more comfortable and was true, They were very pleased to see I was trying to communicate in their language instead of expecting them to speak my language in their homeland. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| 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? | Make friends with the locals! They will be more than happy to help you learn Portuguese, and they are usually interested in learning English or practicing what they already know, it's a win win situation. |
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 would've known I wouldn't want to leave, I would've packed to stay! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
