“There’s no possible way I can capture in words (neither Portuguese or English) what Brazil meant to me.  In an interview presentation recently, I stated that studying in Brazil was my best decision of my college career.  It opened my mind in so many ways.  I boarded the plane in St. Louis alone after leaving my family and friends at the airport to fly to Rio not knowing a single other person, not knowing if someone would be there at the airport to meet me, not knowing the language or the culture, not knowing where or who I would live with and came back with lifelong friends, a new perspective of the world, a renewed interest in engineering, and a third language that I could speak fluently.  I learned to rock climb from the family that I lived with, I played beach volleyball with an Olympian, I paraded in the world-renowned Carnaval parade, I watched Lenny Kravitz play on Copacabana beach in front of a crowd of a half million, I backpacked to see the highest waterfall in Brazil, I visited the Cristo Redentor on Easter Sunday, I studied the properties of the sands from Ipanema beach, I received better grades than some of the Brazilian students, and the list goes on and on and on.  Overcoming all the challenges that were presented to me and having such great experiences gave me valuable confidence and skills that have changed my life.”  - Sara O.   Jan-Jul, 2005

“I have forged and maintained friendships, become fluent in Portuguese (be quiet Rachel), and have been able to experience the culture of Brazil.  Additionaly I have gained an expanded worldview, especially with respect to the United States.  Before coming here I had not realized just what an impact the US has on the world and what it means to be “American.”   This program is unique in that it offers all the advantages described above as well as a robust financial package, so with this in mind, I would encourage everyone with interest to apply for the program.” - Matt F.  Jan-Jul, 2005