My daughter wants to spend a year in Brazil as a high school foreign exchange student. Any helpful insights?
Hi. She has had 2 years of HS Spanish and is very capable of leaving home for the year. (Even though parents will miss her dearly) Was wondering about cultural differences between US and Brazil that she might want to know before she goes. What is high school like there, typical classes, religious experiences, holidays etc. Thanks for the input!
Studying Abroad - 6 Answers
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1 :
In Brazil the common language is Portugese. Spanish won't help.
2 :
My son spent a year in Japan through AFS and they gave us a lot of very helpful information about cultural differences, what to expect, what to watch out for, and so forth. He had a fantastic experience and came home speaking Japanese (he had studied for about a year before he went.)Friends of mine had the same good experience with the Rotary exchange program. I don't know what program you daughter is considering, but both of the above are quality ones. My other son is in Australia right now (through a college program) and loves it. The hardest thing was putting my baby (15 at the time) on that plane. I cried for a week whenever anyone asked me about him! E-mail, phone cards (I used Nobelcom.com for his and ours), Skype (not sure of the spelling but your daughter will probably know - it's a computer based phone thing) are all great for keeping in touch. Lots better than the old days of snail mail!)
3 :
Tell her to study Portuguese.
4 :
Though we speak Portuguese in Brasil, Spanish is very similar and will help her a lot! I don't think there's gonna be hard to adapt at all. Brazilians are very receptives, specially teenagers! There are too many holidays in Brasil, but only the Catholic ones have real meaning (like Xmas and Easter) - other than that is just an excuse for a long weekend. As for cultural differences ... teens can't drive (only after 18). Nor drink, ALTHOUGH underage drinking is natural here. Most bars won't ask for id. Dating here is also very different. A bit more liberal, but nothing to worry about! ;) Public school are only functioning to keep kids out of the streets. And most kids only attend because there's a cash bonus for each children the family keep in school. Private school is mandatory!!! She may have some geografy and history dificulties.
5 :
You can read about studying abroad in Brazil here: http://www.studyabroaddomain.com/brazil.aspx
6 :
HI! I got interested in your question and I thought I should share this insight...my sister is based in Brazil for over 13 years and if your daughter would like to choose Brazil to further her studies in Spanish, I think there are other countries in Central America or South America that is better and nearer the US. Perhaps Panama will be a good choice, she can fly from L.A. to Houston to Panama and most people there have further education in US and London and I heard from my former employer that they have competitive schools and internationally distinguised criterias. Brazil is too far
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