Brazil is amazing, go! Take time to go to places other than the huge tourist hot spots. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I would recommend going to the Rio de Janeiro public universities, they are of much higher caliber, and much cheaper. Also the students are more welcoming and it's easier to make friends.

On-site administration of your program

Their one strength is that they are nice. The program isn't run very efficiently and major student issues often go unresolved for long periods of time (like months) if they get resolved at all. Sit in on classes before you register for them, because if you register and drop the second day of classes, you will still be charged the month's bill for the class.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The PUC host family was terrible-over priced and the lady who rented it out was a little crazy. She was a hoarder and very old and paranoid, and was constantly fighting with her maid and accusing the students living there and the maid of stealing things. She ate food students had bought. She rationed out toilet paper. She was more interested in the money than representing a host family, which made a huge difference. Most of the students who stayed with host families (generally an old woman) felt this way and the vast majority switched homestays frequently or just found their own place. I later found my own place which was much cheaper, but still not an ideal environment since I lived with 2 random people and we all did our own thing.

Food in Rio is great, and cheap. Try new things. Acai is delicious. Street food is delicious. Cheese on a stick with honey served on the beach is delicious. Fresh fruit juices are amazing. Eat at a churrascaria once. Go to churrascos (bbqs). Try desert pizzas. Eat a feijoada. If you're first instinct is to say no, ignore it and then say yes.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Rio is a great place and a lot of fun; but chauvinism and sexism are pretty prevalent and at times very difficult for an American woman to deal with. However the majority of people are very warm and open and it isn't terribly difficult to make friends, as long as you are kind as well. They say crime is a big thing, but really with common sense you will be fine. Also because both the Olympics and the World Cup are coming to Brazil the government has really stepped up efforts to secure Zona Sul (where study abroad students will most likely spend most of their time).

Didn't have any experience with health issues, but those that did found it really easy to get to a good doctor. Rio is a major cosmopolitan city--unless you're health issues is severe or rare you won't have a problem getting good medical care. I felt safe the whole time; I used common sense--I didn't go wandering in unfamiliar places at night, I was never really walking alone at night in unpopulated areas, and I avoided places with lots of drugs.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

My Portuguese teacher was excellent and I learned so much with her. She was the head of the Portuguese for foreigners department, and was the best. The other Portuguese teachers were well liked too, with the exception of Portuguese 1 which I hear was a joke.

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