Written by Reign Williams, (Syracuse College), Scholar Correspondent for CET Brazil, (Social Justice), Fall 2025
Brazil has at all times been a dream trip for me. From watching the film Rio to taking a Brazilian Portuguese Language elective in highschool, they’ve all led as much as the imaginations I had for Brazil and all of the reminiscences it may carry for me. Now that I’ve been finding out in São Paulo, Brazil for a couple of month, I can firmly say that this nation has exceeded my expectations! Learning overseas may be scary, particularly in case you are like me and are leaving the nation for the primary time. Nevertheless, this weblog is to spotlight all of the wonderful experiences I’ve had in simply my first month right here that hopefully offers you the braveness to submit your software to review overseas subsequent!
Motive #1: Training Meets Motion
Though I’m keen on the CET Brazil program for a lot of causes, the most important purpose is the educational observe. At my house college, Syracuse College, I examine Political Science and Sociology. I feel each subjects are very attention-grabbing and related in at the moment’s society. After I noticed CET’s possibility of a Social Justice tutorial observe, I knew not solely was it one thing I might be interested by however one thing I wanted to discover.
As I wrap up my first month of finding out right here, I can say the programs didn’t disappoint. Along with my Portuguese language class, I take a Racial Democracy, Politics and Society, Public and Armed Forces, and the core Social Justice class. These lessons are all centered round Brazil and its historical past and politics which makes the category all of the extra attention-grabbing. Not solely are lessons participating however I can clearly determine issues current in Brazilian society that I’ve discovered by means of these programs. My professors do an amazing job of giving us background info on Brazil whereas additionally declaring the similarities of this nation and the U.S. My professors have efficiently related information I’ve discovered beforehand to issues I’m at present studying in lessons now.
Probably the most thrilling a part of the entire curriculum and the rationale I mentioned sim (sure) is due to the excursions we take all through our tutorial observe. CET incorporates journeys and different actions that coordinate with classes being taught within the classroom. For my part, this not solely helps me grasp the programs but it surely provides us an opportunity to expertise what we’re studying. Due to CET, I’ve upcoming journeys to an Indigenous Village to see the Guarani Folks, go to Bahia, and Paraty. The best way the observe is designed, who may say no!
Motive #2: Dwelling the Language
The second purpose for saying sim to CET Brazil is due to the chance for full cultural and language immersion! The very first thing that caught my consideration when exploring this system was all of the Portuguese language choices for the scholars. Despite the fact that I’m within the newbie Portuguese class, there are language lessons for all ranges of Portuguese. I feel it’s extremely useful to not solely have the ability to depend on Brazilian locals for language ideas but in addition different college students in my cohort!
Between residing in Brazil and taking my language lessons, there is no such thing as a method I received’t come again to the states talking Portuguese fluently. CET Brazil has no official language pledge, but we’re inspired to place our all into studying the language. As somebody who solely speaks English, that is an incredible alternative for me to step out of my consolation zone and study one thing new. Brazil is the proper place to study Portuguese as a result of the entire locals are variety and understanding; even when I’m not saying one thing completely, they’re appreciative of my efforts and proper any errors I’ll have made.
Just like getting assist from locals, CET’s roommate state of affairs could be very attention-grabbing and makes this system stand out from different overseas packages. Right here in São Paulo, I’ve two Brazilian roommates residing with me amongst my two roommates additionally from the states. This one in every of a sort way of life not solely helped me adapt faster to Brazilian tradition and the brand new space round me, but in addition supplied me with my first two Brazilian buddies! My roommates, Davi and Julia, attend PUC-SP, the host college, as effectively and are nothing however variety, welcoming, and supportive. They taught us use the utilities within the house which might be completely different from the U.S., taught us cool slang in Portuguese, and native adventures to see all the town has to supply.
This distinctive expertise of each talking the language and residing within the tradition is one thing I couldn’t flip down. I get an opportunity to study a brand new language, whereas being totally immersed within the language and studying in regards to the deeper which means of the language by means of tradition–who may go that up?
Motive #3: Making São Paulo House
CET Brazil’s examine overseas program is quite a bit completely different than different packages I’ve seen earlier than. My final greatest purpose for selecting this program is the potential of assembly different faculty college students my age from completely different universities all who’ve comparatively comparable pursuits. In my cohort, nearly all of us are following the identical Social Justice tutorial observe whereas two college students are in FGV and even one one that immediately enrolled at USP–one other massive college in São Paulo. Regardless of our completely different tutorial tracks, all of us make an effort to see one another and plan excursions with the entire cohort.
The chance to satisfy so many college students with various backgrounds and views is each thrilling and fulfilling. As well as, due to the huge tutorial tracks CET provides, I’ve met so many individuals with completely different majors and areas of focus of their universities. This has made for intriguing conversations about completely different faculty views and inquiring about completely different areas of examine from college college students everywhere in the United States. Regardless of how completely different me and these different college students are, all of us share one thing large in frequent: finding out overseas in Brazil! With about 20 individuals in my cohort, all of us bonded over our comparable mindsets and outlooks on the world.
The CET Brazil program permits me to additionally make connections with friends from my house nation with comparable concepts and objectives for his or her lives to those I’ve. Whereas most examine overseas packages are made up of classmates from the identical college, CET is completely different. Actually, I used to be the one pupil this semester from Syracuse College. It was just a little discouraging at first but it surely gave me an opportunity to community and create significant friendships with so many different college students! CET Brazil even consists of different actions on the weekends to assist us not solely bond however discover the town collectively. In simply the one month I’ve been right here, it actually is beginning to rework into my house away from house.
With the curriculum permitting for hands-on expertise, residing and exploring in Brazil, and reminiscences you’ll maintain for a lifetime, the one factor I may do was say sure! Learning overseas is intimidating however not inconceivable! In case you’re studying this, it is perhaps your signal to attend an informational or submit an software. The inevitable worry of leaving what you already know will at all times be there, however finally it can rework into pleasure and exploration. The worry you as soon as had can be forgotten while you arrive and notice it truly is extra scary in your head. CET Brazil has given me an exquisite alternative to proceed my schooling in a significant method whereas assembly new individuals and having tales to inform for a lifetime. I mentioned sim to CET Brazil and perhaps you’ll too!
