The Rio Summer Seminar, hosted by PUC-Rio, was a transformative experience for me. I was able to interact with people of a very different culture and immerse myself in Brazilian culture. It was especially enlightening because it broadened my perspective of the world and I felt like more of a global citizen than I ever did before. Learning about Brazil put into perspective my relative place in the world and has been an inspiration for me to think outside of the bubble I was in before. I would recommend anybody, who has the opportunity to go, to participate in the program. The beauty of the country, culture, and people we were exposed to through the program come second only to the friendships created through PUC-Rio’s curriculum and attention to the individual experience as well as educational integrity of the program. I wanted to immerse myself in Brazilian culture and learn conversational Portuguese, and I ended up finding a passion for learning a new language as well as new insight on the region. I came back and immediately signed up for Portuguese because of my experience. Coming back helped me see that there is life beyond just the classroom and the US. It helped me expand my personal goals and conceptualize a future where I am not limited by borders or languages.
Study abroad was a transformative experience for me because it broadened my perspective of the world. I wanted to learn conversational Portuguese and found a passion for learning a new language. I returned and immediately signed up for Portuguese because there is life beyond the classroom and the US. Study abroad helped me see a future where borders or languages do not limit me.