The best time of my entire life Past Review
By A student (University of Nevada, Reno) - abroad from 01/22/2018 to 05/11/2018 with
USAC Brazil: Florianópolis - International Business, Environmental/Conservation Management, and Latin American Studies
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely. I learned a lot about a new culture and a new language that I had no prior knowledge of. I learned a new way of life and I learned how to not take things for granted. Being from the US and living in a country COMPLETELY different from it, was eye opening.
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: |
Pretty bland 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: |
Brazil is not the safest country, however, in Floripa I felt very safe |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved Floripa. I felt at home there and made a lot of friends. I became very close with my host family and will always have a home in Brazil |
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? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget your money for things you want to do, especially big trips. |
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? | second semester Spanish (Portuguese is spoken in Brazil) |
| 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? | Live with a host family!! Watch things with foreign language subtitles, listen to the music, talk to people on the streets, interact with Uber drivers and taxi drivers |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | PACK LIGHT! It is so hot in Brazil and you will sweat. Light clothes are always needed and you WILL buy more clothes out there. |
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