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I'm Going to Brazil!


I just came home from the welcome meeting to a Federally funded university exchange program between USU and two universities in Brazil.

I will be given $4500 for travel and living expenses for three months from May-end of July. In that time, I will be collaborating with Brazilian university students on developing educational materials for elementary and middle school students in both nations.

The questions I have to decide are:

1. Do I want to go to Forteleza or a suburb of Sao Paulo?
2. Do I want to stay with a family or rent my own place?
3. Do I want to stay and travel a little on my student visa? If so, where?

I'd appreciate any suggestions you have. Thanks
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Comments

  1. HeatherThu Oct 22, 05:48:00 AM MDT

    Wow - awesome Bry! I know nothing about either Brazilian city, but if it were me I'd stay with a family just for the cultural enrichment and meals. I'm always up for travel add-ons, but I'd have to research more before I can suggest sompsing. As for S. Am, I'd love to see Iguazu Falls and Macchu Picchu.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Stefanie ElyseThu Oct 22, 10:35:00 AM MDT

    SERIOUSLY? I am FREAKING OUT!!! So SO excited for you :) I don't really have ideas for you, just enthusiasm!

    ReplyDelete
  3. BeccaThu Oct 22, 10:43:00 AM MDT

    We're not going to talk about how jealous I am. Okay? We're just not going to talk about it.

    Moving on.

    Go to Fortaleza. Sao Paulo is awesome and I prefer the south of Brazil to what I know of the north (heck I lived in the heart of SP), but SP is an overwhelming city and it's like New York City on steroids (buildings-wise). It can be a lot of 'ugly city' and not as much of beautiful Brazil unless you really know where to go. Everything I've heard about Fortaleza is positive. The beaches are beautiful. I just think Fortaleza would be more representative of Brazil than Sao Paulo would. Kind of like Seattle or Houston or San Diego are more representative of "AMERICA" than New York City.

    I'd also stay with a family. You're going to get a super awesome experience staying with a family (even if it means sleeping on their couch and eating rice and beans every. single. day.) than you will living in your own place.

    DEFINITELY stay and travel. Empty your life savings if you have to. :) People might tell you to visit Rio, and maybe I'm just paranoid and whatever, but I wouldn't. Especially if you're going to be alone, especially with your hair color, and especially if you don't speak the language. Rio is gorgeous, but sooooo dangerous. You could tour to the places with temples! There are five now - Recife, Sao Paulo, Curitiba, Porto Alegre, and campinas. all of those but Recife are in the south. The south is just BEAUTIFUL. You get more indigenous Brazilian culture in the north, but you get more European-Brazilian culture in the South. Iguacu Falls is also definitely worth the visit.

    Okay this comment is ridiculous. Just email me if you want to chat about it. :) Haha- clearly I have many opinions.

    ReplyDelete
  4. NoelleThu Oct 22, 09:49:00 PM MDT

    Wow! Why dint you tell me about this when we spoke this morning???! I'd totally avoid the BIG city and by all means take your chances and stay with a family! And definitely tour- you may never be back to SA!
    Awesome- hope it works out for you!m

    ReplyDelete
  5. NoelleThu Oct 22, 10:00:00 PM MDT

    the above comment was Julie

    ReplyDelete

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