Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I would not be surprised if I found you in niteroi again in 10 years April 15, 2024

By (Architecture History, Architectural Criticism, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/24/2023 to 12/20/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Niterói

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to ask for help. It was worthwhile. It was a space you wanted to learn more of and so it pushed you to go out of your way and immerse yourself.

Review Photos

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Niterói Photo Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Niterói Photo Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Niterói Photo Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Niterói Photo Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Niterói Photo

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

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The arrangements were not so clear in terms of type of living and cost, however the person I was housed with was amazing! Administration did a great job in connecting us with amazing people.

* Food:

Fruits there are amazing! Despite there being a huge meat culture there is many taste option and easy way to adopt food to your needs.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Everyone is super welcoming ! There is always fun activities going around the neighborhood and surrounding cities for you to do try.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Pretty clear on instructions, however I did not have personal experience with the health care system.

* Safety:

The city is safe! Be cautious as you are in any other major city. There is pickpocketing in touristy areas/event, so travel light if you can. Don't be afraid to ask for help because people are very welcoming.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

5

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? USD $45
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Open up a bank there if you can, super easy and it will save you a lot of issues. Use public transportation unless it's dangerous (during night hours).

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300 Intermediate level
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? 20 minutes a day of immersion. Make sure you are consistent. I saw that watching 15 minute videos with subtitles and an article afterwards helped me so much more than I thought it would.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International 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?
  • My housing match
  • Continuous Support
  • Director pushing to learn more than surface level and glorified Brazil.
* What could be improved?
  • Communication between parties involved
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? A lot of the cultural history that's not in the book. There is so much history which is all very beautiful

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Projeto de Arq 1
Course Department: Architecture
Instructor: Miguel P/ Marilia F
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: There we pretty big terminology for this course however having field trips and professors that had gone through abroad experience was helpful. The environment was so welcoming and pushed me to want to participate.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues. This course is pretty similar to Intermediate Design course at middlebury.
Course Name/Rating:

Arquitectura e Urbanismo
Course Department: Urbanismo
Instructor: Jorge
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: I appreciated all the resources the professor had given us however most of it was with out structure, similar to the way the class was ran. We did some assignment that were very engaging but the class was not able to understand how it applied to the course material. We took many field trips visiting engineers or working sites.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues.
Course Name/Rating:

Graphica Digital
Course Department: Arquitetura
Instructor: Gustavo
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: I appreciated the professor switching to online when it was needed as we were learning many digital programs which could not be taught in the class room we were in. He also hosted in-person studio classes to help us with projects individually. Very straight forward way of working and evaluating.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Portuguese
Course Department: Middlebury
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Potuguese
Comments: The professor was amazing! she was very understanding and adapted the class to our experiences there. She was very interested in getting to know us which demonstrated positively in the work that she would prepare for us. Everyone was always engaging.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Internship
Course Department:
Instructor: Denise
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: It was difficult getting a structure and support since it was something new in the college. However, the professor was open to helping me gain new skills!
Credit Transfer Issues: No