ISA Study Abroad in Florianopolis, Brazil

Florianopolis, Brazil was a beautiful place to study abroad. I lived on an island in a little fishing village near the water, and I could walk to the nearest market. One day I met a fisherman who was singing "Sweet Caroline," which was rare because there weren't many people who spoke English there. The fisherman and I became good friends, and we would sit in front of his little fishing shop by the water telling stories. He would fish sometimes, and tell the most extravagant stories I had ever heard. I learned so much from this man, and would have never met him if I hadn't traveled to Brazil. That is one of the best things about studying abroad; you get to meet amazing people and learn from them things that you would never learn in your own country.

I went abroad with a University of Kentucky marketing professor and 25 other students to Floripa during the World Cup last summer arranged by ISA! The focus was on World Cup marketing and brand awareness. We had class a few times a week, took site visits to companies such as Mormaii and Alltech, and also got to visit the nearby city Curitiba for the Brazil vs Cameroon game. This was one of the most fun and interactive programs I've seen at UK and I was so happy when I found out I was accepted!

The ISA staff was with us every step of the way, whether it came to finding us last minute Fanfest tickets or showing us local spots or even just being there to translate for us, they always went above and beyond to make our trip as great as possible! The World Cup hosts viewing parties for the games for those who cannot attend and we waited in line all morning to get wristbands. They sold out right before we reached the end and Rodrigo, the ISA director for Floripa spent an hour calling different people to find us wristbands and by some miracle, was able to get them for us! I really don't know what we would've done without Rodrigo. Getting to watch the Brazil game with thousands of Brazilians was the coolest experience, you can feel how Football runs through their veins!

As far as the actual country of Brazil, I've never visited such a diverse and beautiful country. You could go from city to mountains to ocean all within the same day if you wanted to. One day we visited Costa de Lagoa which was a fishermans island that you could only reach by boat. Some of the best seafood and views I've experienced in life. And the food! I have yet to find another country that has such a wide array of DELICIOUS food. I love food, I love the beach, and I love exploring. Brazil, I will find my way back to you soon!

Obrigada, ISA for arranging such a fun and unique trip that I will not soon forget!

This was my second time studying abroad with ISA and I was not disappointed! The location of the program was spectacular and offered many cultural and outdoor activities, so I spent most of my weekends exploring the island with Brazilians and other international students. The ISA staff were very helpful and made sure we were all placed in appropriate classes and living situations, and also motivated us to take advantage of our time abroad. My only disappointment was the class offerings. Because our group was so small, many of my first choices were canceled after I had already applied to the program and I had to settle for classes I was less interested in. Overall, though, studying and living with a host family in Floripa was a valuable and unforgettable experience!

The most rewarding experience was when I traveled to Manaus—the capital of the state of Amazonas. Here I was exposed to a different reality: where the rivers are highways, where people travel by boat, and where tribes fish and hunt for food. I was able to go back to a primitive state of life with no currency, buildings, politics, or problems. I found myself surrounded by natural beauty. Visiting the Amazon was one of the most pleasurable experiences I had in Brazil because it reminded me of life’s beauty and what living is all about. It connected me with the natural world and showed me how living a simple life can be attainable in this day of time.

Personally, the Brazilian people and culture touched me. I was able to grow personally and pursue what I cared about in life. Nobody knew me and most would not see me again. I was completely and confidently myself in the purest form. I was millions of miles from reality and everything I knew.

Some difficulties I encountered was the language barrier. Yet, now that I am back in America I am experiencing a re-entry culture shock. This quote sums up how I feel, “everything that used to be familiar is now strange and everything that used to be strange is now familiar.”