A healing time with the most amazing people ever Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 03/10/2019 to 07/23/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Niterói

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was an incredible time, mostly for the people and the friendships. By the end of the program, I already felt at home.

Review Photos

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? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Overall, it was pretty great! Each class was really unique and some were a bit more rigorous than others but all pretty enjoyable and worthwhile.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Hard to find your way if you are vegetarian or have food intolerances.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Healthcare in Brazil is great but it was pretty disappointing and inconvenient to see that my medical insurance did not have a direct pay provider/hospital in my city. I spent over 300 usd going to the closest city (Rio) to get needed medical care. I hope this changes asap since it particularly affects low income students.

* Safety:

Just be street smart. Don't bring expensive belongings with you and go out in groups at night.

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

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? it varied a lot, but around 50 usd per week

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? 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? a 300 level literature class
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? movies, music, writing journal entries

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
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The friends I made
  • The cultural activities and trips
  • Improving my language skills
* What could be improved?
  • Access to healthcare through the insurance
  • more hostfamilies near uff
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? about how healthcare works since i have some medical issues that constantly need attention and that rio is not particularly cheap

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:

Agricultura Urbana

Course Department: Analise geoambiental
Instructor: Alexandre
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: It was a very hands-on experience, really fun and learned a lot.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Democracia e Seguranca

Course Department: INEST
Instructor: Vinicius Armele
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: Best class ever. Really hard, took a lot of my time and effort but seriously worth it!
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Mulheres e relacoes internacionais

Course Department: INEST
Instructor: mariana guimaraes
Instruction Language: portuguese
Comments: a polisci course with a feminist focus! so amazing! great readings, had a hard time getting used to her teaching style but still a great class!
Credit Transfer Issues: