A CUE student’s transformative study abroad journey in Brazil
Brazil, a nation pulsating with the rhythm of samba and a fervor for life, is an invigorating destination for students to study. Its energetic carnivals and distinct personality offer a vibrant backdrop for academics, and Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) students had a unique opportunity to witness this first-hand during their summer study abroad journey.
Environmental Health student Maja Brown had the opportunity to embark on a four-week educational journey to Brazil, organized by CUE’s International Office. Beginning in mid-May students spend a week at each of our partner universities and participate in classroom topics including public and global health and trends, biotechnology, and more. The program combines learning with travel and fun, giving students an opportunity to experience Brazil’s culture and scenery.
Experiencing cultural immersion
Travelling to a new country was an exciting yet intimidating experience for Maja, but, despite this, Maja said the challenges of living and studying in Brazil were quickly overcome.
Particularly daunting was the language barrier. “I assumed I could get by somewhat with speaking English but I quickly found that English proficiency was not so common in Brazil,” says Maja. “When we arrived in Sao Paulo there was no one we could ask to find our gate.”
Although challenging, students had to quickly adapt to immersion in Brazilian culture and language. “Everyone was so nice and helpful. Even if they couldn’t speak English, they were so willing to deal with us when using simple phrases in Google Translate,” she explains.
Academic enrichment
The study abroad program was designed to cater to students from diverse fields of study, allowing them to gain insights related to their majors. “Each week, we visited different universities in the region, where we received lectures and engaged in activities aligned with our academic interests,” explained Maja.
“Before we went on the trip we had to submit what our majors and minors were, and then organizers did their best to add something of interest for each of us. There were psychology based projects for many psych students, and there was an environmental science lecture for me. The trip ensured that each of us could make meaningful connections between our academics with some real-world experiences.”
Besides academic pursuits, the program also provided opportunities for exploring parts of Brazil. Maja travelled in the southernmost state, Rio Grande do Sul, and visited its capital city and other smaller towns.
“Among my favorite memories was an adventure to a huge railway bridge nestled in the mountains and a visit to the construction site of the Christ the Enchanted statue, a monument similar to Rio’s famous Christ the Redeemer but slightly taller. We got to see it being built from the early stages. This day was just the best, and being in nature was really spectacular!” says Maja.
While traveling, she recalls delving deeper into the language, saying, “I had the opportunity to acquire basic phrases and local slang, with an emphasis on the Gaúcho dialect of Rio Grande do Sul, celebrated for its distinctive cowboy culture.”
Bridging cultures and staying with a host family
Living with a host family for a week was a unique experience, says Maja. “I stayed with a mother and her two daughters, and while the mother didn’t speak English, the daughters were fluent. I was really nervous about staying with a host family at first, but they were so welcoming. Her 21-year-old daughter wanted to study in Canada too, so she was very keen to learn the language and about Canada.”
“The study abroad program provided a unique perspective that regular travel by myself or with family could not offer. I’m really grateful to have gone through this experience with Concordia, because it was a real integration into the culture,” – Maja
An exploration of salt, sweet, and everything in between
One aspect Maja especially enjoyed was the Brazilian cuisine. “Most meals were buffet-style, where we would weigh our plates to determine the cost. My favourite dishes were the “pastel” (a flaky pastry filled with meat or cheese, similar to an empanada), and “brigadeiro,” a beloved dessert made from condensed milk, chocolate, and sprinkles.”
She said her tastebuds took a while to get accustomed to Brazilian food, “I would describe Brazilian food as either very salty or very sweet, and there was a surprising lack of spices in many dishes, but overall the food was very tasty.”
Since Maja returned home she now has greater confidence to do more travelling, and the South American experience sparked the motivation to “perhaps go to Australia as my next destination,” she says.
Be prepared but embrace the study abroad adventure with openness
When asked what she would do differently, Maja said she wished she had learned some Portuguese before embarking on the journey, and advised students to “learn more of the language before you arrive, it will be very helpful when you get to the airport.”
“Be open, flexible, and ready to seize every opportunity. Be willing to try new things, which will help you fully enjoy the experience,” – Maja
Maja said the sign-up process was relatively straightforward. “We wrote a brief essay about our intentions, and the university helped guide us through the application process. The study abroad program was a team effort, with the local international offices of the partnering universities providing assistance throughout our stay in Brazil.”
Studying abroad can be an enriching experience filled with life-changing opportunities. With careful planning, the right attitude, and an open mind, CUE students can turn their study abroad journey into an unforgettable adventure. To learn more about the Studying Abroad program and student’s experiences go to Go Abroad on our website.
At the heart of these transformative experiences, we are thrilled about the launch of our new International Engagement Certificate (IEC) program. This carefully curated journey is designed to enhance students’ intercultural proficiency, fostering an appreciation for global diversity and a commitment to lifelong learning.