CIEE Rio de Janeiro, January-June

They say you won't experience growth without some discomfort; the CIEE Rio de Janeiro Program was one of the most emotionally and mentally difficult undertakings I have ever taken, and as a result, I left Brasil feeling completely transformed. Rio de Janeiro is an extremely difficult city to live in because there is so much going on at any given moment. Rio too is in a stage of transformation, hence, a very obvious tension exists throughout the streets. But through all that anxiety (which, to be quite honest, is normal as a foreigner in completely new country where people speak a language that isn't your first) CIEE was an absolute shelter and recovery station. They have a great team in Rio who work to make sure you are safe, happy, and using all the resources you need, and that are available to you. They weren't just instructors; if you spend time with them and talk to them, they become friends. CIEE was also a marvelous liaison between PUC (the school) and you, making sure the paperwork and politics streamlined seamlessly between you and the school. This is a MARVELOUS program. If you want to grow, and change, Rio is the city for you. If you want to grow AND change in Rio, AND feel taken care of, safe, and like there is help and someone to talk to about anything at any given moment, CIEE Rio de Janeiro is for you.