Understanding Brazil through the eyes of Brazilians. Public Health, Race, and Human Rights Past Review
By A student (Political Science and Government., Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/27/2017 to 12/11/2016 with
SIT Study Abroad: Reviews from Former Locations
Take whatever you think you know about a country you haven't experienced firsthand and put those beliefs behind you. No matter what you read, hear, think, or research about Brazil - you will be utterly surprised and taken aback when you actually experience the country with your own eyes. The northeast of Brazil, in particular, is a special place. Our coursework emphasized health and race relations of the Afro-Brazilian population in Salvador. When you learn about the healthcare system or racial inequality, then immediately after, go on an excursion to a health clinic in a low-income community - your understanding of these classroom terms becomes something tangible. This program will change how you perceive the world because it forces you to engage with the information some else provides to you on paper, face the realities head on, and ask yourself what role you play as a fellow human being.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Yes and no - SIT is a fantastic study abroad program. You'll experience so much in a short time and have many life-changing opportunities. Brazil is a complex and dynamic country. You'll learn so much about a country that operates very differently from the USA despite all the similarities that exist between the two places. In my particular group and program (Public, Health, Race, and Human Rights) we had a great group dynamic and an awesome program director/staff. However, you don't get a lot of free time to explore and the program is exhausting. You will see so many amazing things and meet with people you wouldn't necessarily have access to otherwise. The exhaustion is worth it because the experiences are amazing, but make sure to take time and space to yourself when you can. |
Finances
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* 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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 25$ or less |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Although the program covers most meals, there were definitely times when I needed to have my own money to use for meals. This didn't happen often. Anything other than food and transportation to and from program center (souvenirs, personal travel, etc.) is covered personally. I personally used maybe 100$ a month in my own money. Weekly expenses varied depending on what I did each week. There were times when we needed to have money for program activities that was reimbursed later on via our stipend. It was always a good idea to have some money tucked away for emergencies. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | In the local language, no course work. |
| 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? | It will be very easy to stick with the group of American students you are in class with every day. The big challenge will be getting out of that comfort zone and engaging with locals. My language level improved immensely once I stopped spending all of my free time with the group. If you're looking to improve your language skills then this is the best way to do so. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | N/A |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
