Living in Brazil
Sep 17, 2010
Besides all the obvious differences as culture, food and climate, the following issues on living in Brazil should be emphasized.
Costs of living
In general, living a student life in Brazil is cheaper than in the Netherlands. Expenses as food, transport and drinks and dinners in restaurants are cheaper. Costs for accommodation might be the same as in the Netherlands. However, everything depends on the area where you spend your money. This especially goes to Brasília or São Paulo, where a night out will be at least as expensive as in the Netherlands.
Safety
Living in Brazil means that you should take the same safety measures as you are used to in the Netherlands. Rio de Janeiro, Recife are not known as a safe cities and there you should take some extra safety measures into account. For example you should not carry a lot of money or valuable items with you. You should not walk alone at night. You should take safe taxis from a base.
Housing
The international office of your university in Brazil will almost always help you with finding a room. You can often choose to live with a family, on campus or in an apartment with other students. Keep in mind that living on campus means that you have to obey many more rules than you will be used to. In choosing the area where you will live, take the advice of Brazilian students or the international office in Brazil into account. Especially in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo where some areas are not too safe or too far away from your university.
Transport and traffic
Public transport in Brazil is quite good. Taxis are very cheap compared to the Netherlands. The traffic situation in - Rio de Janeiro, Recife and São Paulo - is extremely different from what you will be used to in the Netherlands. Traffic jams can be enormous.
Traveling
From beautiful beaches to interesting cultural and archeological ruins, the 26 states in Brazil and the Federal District offer a great diversity of places to visit. The combination of sunlight, sand, seaside, woods, meadowland, rivers, lakes and modern cities allow to do all kind of activities and sports.