Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The most vibrant experience! Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/06/2018 to 12/23/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Niterói

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I was able to gain a better understanding of the world around me and my role in it.

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

I would love to do it all over again.

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? 100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would say to budget your expenses for the semester

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? Advanced Portuguese
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? Immerse yourself into the social setting and interact with people

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?
  • People
  • Food
  • Classes
* What could be improved?
  • Communication
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Budget my semester from the very beginning.

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:

Writing Course
Course Department:
Instructor: Silvia Lorenso
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: The course was great and it allowed me to improve my Portuguese while learning about afro-brazilian culture.
Credit Transfer Issues: I had no issues.
Course Name/Rating:

Latin America in International Relations
Course Department: International Relations
Instructor: Gabriel Passetti
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: The class was great and it improved my knowledge in International Relations
Credit Transfer Issues: I had no issues.
Course Name/Rating:

Rural Sociology
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Valter Lucio de Oliveira
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: The course was challenging and the professor didn't do a good job in teaching and captivating the class.
Credit Transfer Issues: I had no issues.
Course Name/Rating:

Cinema in International Relations
Course Department: International Relations
Instructor: Fernando Almeida
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: The course was amazing and the professor was very knowledge in the topic.
Credit Transfer Issues: I had no issue.
Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary Brazilian Art
Course Department: Art
Instructor: Neide
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: The class gave me a better understanding of Brazilian culture and the professor was very captivating.
Credit Transfer Issues: I had no issues.