Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Immersive Journey Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/15/2016 to 01/29/2017 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Niterói

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained lifelong friends, fluency in portuguese, and a deeper understanding of Brazilian life and culture.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

There was a strike during my abroad experience so the classroom learning was cut short, but during my classes they were not particularly rigorous compared to my Middlebury course load.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

My program director was very effective and helpful.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved the original host family, but the cost of living there was too expensive. I ended up moving into an apartment with two Brazilians and found the experience much more immersive and fun.

* Food:

I enjoyed the traditional Brazilian cuisine as well as having the flexibility to cook my own food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I went to the ER once with an ear infection and they had nothing to help me with. Fortunately, I had friends that were medical students that connected me with a recent grad who had samples of antibiotics.

* Safety:

It was safe if you were practical and responsible.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved the location of Niterói, it was a great sized city and Rio was easily accessible.

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? Less than $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save as much money as possible the summer before so you never feel strapped for cash or that you can't travel. It's worth it to save.

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? 300 level
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 local friends, join activities that will introduce you to people.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Host Family
* 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?
  • Outside learning opportunities
  • Connection with local students
  • Accessibility to Rio
* What could be improved?
  • Academic rigor
  • Alternative plans during strike
  • Less intervention from the Middlebury program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how much free time I was going to have.

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 Urbanite
A 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

International Law
Course Department: International Relations
Instructor: Vitelio Brustolin
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: The professor was knowledgeable and the course content interesting. It was fascinating to see it from a Brazilian perspective.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

International Organizations
Course Department: International Relations
Instructor: Vitelio Brustolin
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: The class was interesting and the professor was great. He applied his previous experience to the course.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Power and Development in Brazil
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Eduardo Gomes
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: The teaching style of the professor made it difficult to follow in portuguese, but the content was interesting when I researched it independently.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

Latin American in International Relations
Course Department: International Relations
Instructor: Gabriel Passetti
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: This was one of my favorite classes. It was great to study the history of the formation of Latin American states while in Latin America. The professor was knowledgeable and provided us with interesting readings.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.