At least I learned a lot! January 24, 2024

By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/02/2023 to 12/17/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad - Middlebury in Florianópolis

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

It was worthwhile and I learned a lot in my classes and about Brazil. It was socially pretty isolating, though, and I wish I had more support from the program to get my through that.

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	Silvia is a lovely person, but communication was poor and I good have used some additional support in regards to my mental health
* 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?	No I would go to Niteroi because I think I would have had an easier time socially, and enjoyed the city more

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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$10
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	buy tickets for parties as far in advanced as possible

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?	Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	Portuguese 232
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?	Listen to music, talk with your host family, talk to the waiters/uber drivers and go to class

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	Local 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?	Trip to Salvador Internship Program
* What could be improved?	Communication Student Support
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	There isn't a lot to do in Floripa in the rain...

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 Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Segurança Internacional
Course Department:	Relações Internacionais
Instructor:	Graciela De Conti Pagliari
Instruction Language:	Portuguese
Comments:	The evaluations were difficult, but rewarding, and the class content was very interesting. Garciela is also a great professor
Credit Transfer Issues:	no

Course Name/Rating:	Formação Econômica do Brasil I
Course Department:	Relações Internacionais
Instructor:	Marcos Alves Valente
Instruction Language:	Portuguese
Comments:	The content was a little repetitive but overall an interesting class
Credit Transfer Issues:	no

Course Name/Rating:	Geographía Econômica Internacional
Course Department:	Relações Internacionais
Instructor:	Helton Ricardo Ouriques
Instruction Language:	Portuguese
Comments:	I loved this class. The professor was super engaging and the material was super interesting. I really appreciated learning more about economics from a LATAM perspective
Credit Transfer Issues:	no