Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

One Big Adventure Past Review

By (Sociology and Anthropology, University of Maryland - College Park) - abroad from 01/21/2015 to 05/14/2015 with

USAC Brazil: Florianópolis - International Business, Environmental/Conservation Management, and Latin American Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying abroad is a crash course in independence. Navigating the island with no knowledge of the language (at least at first), and often alone. With time comes the know-how, until you start to feel like a local. It's incredible to notice how you go from feeling constantly lost and confused to feeling entirely at ease and at home.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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)

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

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

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

  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • exploring the beauty of the island
  • welcoming people everywhere, but especially in USAC and at UFSC
  • relationships formed with locals and other students
* What could be improved?
  • more information on what to expect
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known just how much time I would be spending outdoors. I knew there were hikes and beaches, but I wasn't aware that that would be what I would spend the majority of my free time doing. I would have packed differently if I had known this.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Avid Adventurer
The 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.