American Teen in Brazil for exchange, some concerns.?

Question

My daughter is planning a 1 year exchange overseas and wants to go to Brazil. Her father is concerned for her safety, we have heard many WONDERFUL things about Brazil too.

Can any Brazilians tell me a bit about any US students in Brazil they have known? Did they adjust well?

Are Americans welcome or has our International policies made it a very anti-american country and she may be bullied there for it?

Brazil seems like a very progressive country, but are women considered "equal" in Brazil, sorry, this may be a misconception Americans have of So. America concerning "machismo" so please don't be offended.

I have met many Brazilian students and they have been great kids:)

I would appreciate any answers, thank you

Answer 1

Yes I am from Brazil.

Will your daughter live with a brazilian family? The only thing to worry about is to be careful when walking on the street alone specially at night; becareful with your purse because there are many shoplifts; and try not to wear too much jewelry in some areas.

Brazil is not a very safe country but that doesn't mean she can't go. It is indeed a wonderful country and I have met tons of foreigners (I live in New York City) who absoletely loved Brazil. and what is so interesting is that many foreigners learn Portuguese so quick because they really want to understand the language and be able to laugh and enjoy among us... She will have a wonderful time!

Brazil is a very advanced country. Women are seen as equal and we have as much opportunities as a man. This issue with machism is more seen as a joke because we Brazilian women like our men to really act and behave like one. Althought we do have the typical macho men too! - be far from those...

The problems we have in Brazil are the corruption, poverty, and criminality. And unfortuanetly we Brazilians are too busy with our every day lives trying to survive and work hard to have a better life, that we forget to go and fight against our government. We just don't have the time... We are also very optmist and we always think that everything will be okay.

You daughter will have the most amazing experience among Brazilians. They are warm and fun people. As I mentioned before just becareful with strangers and when walking on the street by your own.

I can't even start to explain how we Brazilians take care of our foreigners "gringos". We are very friendly. I heard there is a bit of annoyance by the Brazilian immigration towards Americans in the airport but that's nothing to worry. I think Brazil is one of the countries that doesn't have any type of "racism" We like everyone and give special attention to someone visiting our country.

If you have any questions, I will be more than happy to answer you.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I'm an American, but I lived in Brazil as an exchange student and have returned several times since then to do volunteer work.  She may hear some criticism of the U.S. but Brazilians will accept her for who she is.  Brazil is a very diverse, multicultural society.  The country is not perfect, but the culture and society are complex and fascinating.

She will definitely not be bullied - far from it.  As another poster said, Brazilians take excellent care of visitors and are extremely welcoming.  She should be careful about venturing out alone in the big cities, but if she is with a host family or organization they should show her how to get around and advise her on places to avoid.

All the Brazilian women I know are very independent and assertive, and there are plenty of female doctors, lawyers, and ministers.

There is a lot of poverty (and some danger) in the Northeast of Brazil, and Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are very large and intimidating cities.  But there is a lot to see in Brasilia, and it's relatively easy to get around.  In smaller cities she probably will have no trouble going about her life independently.

You should, however, check out the exchange organization (and not through Yahoo - do real research), as that will affect her experience.  (I went through AFS and they were great.)  U.S. citizens *do* need visas to travel to Brazil, and if she stays longer than 90 days she may need to make special arrangements.  A reputable study abroad program will be able to help - ask the people in the program office about that.  Also, a good study abroad program should connect her with a family and arrange for housing.  If she is with a Brazilian family or a reputable school, she will have a fabulous experience.

Portuguese is a challenging language, but Brazilians are very accepting of people who are anxious to learn.  As a student, I quickly gained a working knowledge of the language; Brazilians made a point of conversing with me and coaching me, and because the culture is so inclusive I was encouraged to participate in discussions, sports, singing, and a host of other activities.

Bottom line:  my association with Brazil has enriched my life and given me loyal friends plus interesting work.  She should go if that's what she wants.

Answer 3

Brazil is one of the most dangerous in the world but to cancel an exchange to Brazil is out of question. The probabilities of anything happen to your daughter are minimun. 95% of the homicides in Brazil are poor people killing poor people because of drugs or familiar problems.

Regardless of it, the most violent Brazilian city has a homicide rate of 60 per 100,000 inhabitants per year. It means that if she stay one year in that city the probability of beeing killed are 0.06%. Not considering that she won't live in a poor neighborhood as explained before.

There were American exchange students in my school when I was on school and they were well-treated. People knows how to differentiate governmant and an individual person from that country. And teenagers don't care about politics.

The comment about women's in Brazil is based on stereotypes and ignorance and do not deserve any comment from my part. Yes, I was offended, sorry.

Answer 4

I really believe your daughter will be fine if you choose a nice family to guide her here...Brazil is much more relaxed (I mean liberal) than US...the concern is if your daughter like to do "wild things", that in US she wouldn´t, but in Brazil she can do.

Brazil it´s not anti-American country...most people here don´t like Mr. Bush, but nothing against American people or USA itself...Brazilians are very tolerant people and welcome foreigners.

"Machismo" is unlikely to be found, unless you daughter goes to a very small town in middle of nowhere of Brazil.

Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions or doubts.

Answer 5

Well, all the advice you got before mine is very true. I would like to add that it matters A LOT which city she'll be staying in. I was there for 6 weeks w/my husband at his parents' house in Goiania. There are no Americans in Goiania (that I saw). It's not a tourist destination. Tell her to NEVER venture out at night alone & to hardly do it during the day if she can help it. It was a very ugly, grey city. Lots of pollution (I hear Sao Paulo's worse). If she doesn't know Portuguese & travels somewhere where they don't speak English, she'll have a very hard time. Unlike what many believe, Native Brazilians don't all catch on to Spanish easily (if she only knows Spanish). She needs to go out w/very little $ & hold on to her purse TIGHTLY when on the crowded buses or walking down crowded downtown streets. She should beware of people (guys falling for her, women wanting to get very close to her) who are suspiciously friendly. Many are hoping that an American will take them to America. They can be downright desperate, although it never happened to me. This is straight from other Brazilians I know. I found that using my credit card at big places that would accept them was cheap. Only $1.35 per transaction from B of A. She should take cash & have someone she trusts there, exchange it with her. Many stores tried to take advantage of me by overcharging me, but my husband stepped in to intervene. That will almost be impossible to avoid. Good luck to her.

Answer 6

Q. Can any Brazilians tell me a bit about any US students in Brazil they have known? Did they adjust well?

A. I have met several on language exchange programmes, and all settled well and enjoyed the experience.

Q. Are Americans welcome or has our International policies made it a very anti-american country and she may be bullied there for it?

A. Generally the USA isn't regarded well, but I think on an individual level a US person will win over the Brazilians as long as they don't try and push their lifestyle on them. I've seen this in action in fact, so can vouch for it working (or not).

Q. Brazil seems like a very progressive country, but are women considered "equal" in Brazil, sorry, this may be a misconception Americans have of So. America concerning "machismo" so please don't be offended.

A. There is still sexism in Brazil, and it can vary a bit depending where you are and what you're doing. English teaching tends to be a female dominated profession, so I don't think there are any worries on that score. Like anywhere it's possible to meet the overtly sexist, and the sensible.

Answer 7

Hi there,

It would be very helpful to know which city you have in mind for her to go.

I definitely don't want her going to RECIFE (crime), BRASILIA (boring and dull), SAO PAULO (concrete jungle, pollution and traffic jam)

On the south (states od PARANÁ, SANTA CATARINA E RIO GRANDE DO SUL) it is probably safer than the other places. The downsize is that it has european like weather and culture, which is not exactly what you/your daughter  might want from Brazil.

Answer 8

I lived in Brasil (Sao Paulo, Ribairao Preto, Campinas and Jacarei) for a fews years and did not have any problems - not to say they don't exist, but it is about like any other place.  If she is careful and avoids less desirable places and situations, she should be fine.

As far a adjusting, my experience was that the first couple of months were difficult - not terrible, just different - but I think the adjustment went well.  The people I met were very friendly and very helpful.

I don't know that Brasil is anti-American.  Yes, I did hear the occasional comment, but nothing too concerning.  I hear worse anti-American comments here in the USA.

My experience - this from a male perspective - is that women were mostly treated well and as equals.  Yes, there were the occasional jerks suffering from 'machismo' or whatever you want to call it - again, like anywhere else.

I would go back and do it again, if the opportunity were there.