weitere Erfahrungsberichte für Brasilien
Land:
Brasilien
Universität:
University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR)
Semester und Studiengang:
5. Semester Bachelor International Management
Aufenthalt:
Wintersemester 2014
Über die Universität:
I chose to study abroad in Brazil because it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to live abroad in an up-and-coming country. And I wanted to learn about Latin American culture, learn Portuguese, familiarize myself with Brazilian people, and above all, see what life is like in a country divided by the "haves" and the "have nots". If you are going to Brazil thinking that it is complete paradise, you may be shockingly mistaken. Fortaleza is surrounded by some of the most beautiful beaches and holiday destinations of the entire country, however it is also in the poorest region of Brazil, the Northeast region, and houses some of the most dangerous slums and crime.
UNIFOR is one of the best universities in the area, and bubbles itself away from the rest of the city. Unlike the rest of the city, here you will find students using their phones and laptops freely because of the increased security.
The university offers some interesting courses in English, such as Environmental Management, Professional and Business Ethics and Latin American Economic Relations. The teaching level is definitely at a different standard than DIT, however I can honestly say that I learnt a lot of practical knowledge about real life situations which will definitely assist me in my future education and career.
The learning environment at the university is positive because the professors push the need for participation, attendance and enthusiasm. Grades are partially based on attendance, participation and monthly assessments such as exams, presentations and papers. I thought this was a great way to balance out some of the workload of the semester, and it meant less stress at the end of the semester for final exams.
Betreuung vor Ort:
As you may already know, Brazilians tend not to be as efficient as their German counterparts. Applying for library cards and student cards were slow and lengthy tasks. However, the university helps that process along and things eventually get done. Make sure to have all documents ready, such as a copy of your passport, bio-metric photos etc. This makes the process go a lot faster.
Check out the UNIFOR exchange students Facebook page for accommodation options. Usually exchange students join together to find a 2 to 4 bedroom apartment in the safer areas such as Beira Mar. Some students stayed at host families as well.
Tipps:
- Traffic jams often ocur. Make sure to catch the bus early to be on time for class. As said earlier, professors partially grade students on attendance, so it is important to try to be on time. This is sometimes difficult to do since there is no bus schedule for the public transport system, but usually buses come every 20 minutes or so. Also, there are always a few options of buses that you can take.
- Learn Portuguese before arriving. Locals barely speak English, and the Portuguese courses at UNIFOR do not start from the basics.
- Brazil puts a high import tax on many consumer items, even when buying things online. Most technology goods are very expensive in Brazil due to the high taxes on imports, so don't rely on buying them there.
- Classes often finish very late at UNIFOR (20:40 or 22:00). Usually a group of exchange students travel home together on the bus, which makes it much safer going home. If not, take a taxi because it is much safer and not much more expensive.
Good luck with your study abroad semester, and make the most out of your time there!