Rio, love, and friendship Past Review
By A student (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/08/2013 to 07/08/2013 with
CIEE: Rio de Janeiro - Business, Economics, and Culture
I learned a LOT about myself and my culture as a Brazilian American. It was definitely worthwhile and I wish I could rewind to start the program all over.
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. |
The intensive Portuguese program was incredibly helpful and I highly recommend it. The portuguese program is great at the local school, PUC, but the other courses I took were not as academically rigorous. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The CIEE Rio team is incredibly supportive and helpful! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Great location but not a homestay experience that I expected. I thought it would be more of a family environment so my expectations were different but I did enjoy the apartment I lived in. |
| * Food: |
Brazilian food rules. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was a little difficult making friends within the university but I found everyone to be incredibly inviting when the CIEE program did field trips to local favelas and other neighborhoods. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Brazil is Brazil but CIEE does a good job in warning students on the dangers of living in the city. |
| 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) |
Food was a bit expensive but the program provides you with breakfast. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had never taken a Portuguese class but I speak portuguese with my Brazilian mother |
| 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? | Don't be shy! Brazilians love when foreigners attempt to speak Portuguese. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | How much in rains in Rio! |
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. |
