Details

• Brazil
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

After my interview with a very nice professor at WU, I started my preparations with gathering a lot of information beforehand of the university and country I was allocated to. I checked which documents I will need but also got some guidance from the partner university there. It is important to start the Visa process in time, just in case of any problems. For me it only took a week to receive my student Visa they will ask you for a CPF I would definitely do that at the embassy if possible (latest as soon as you arrive in Brasil) because it reduces stress.I had to apply for my CPF in Brasil after I was there already for a month because you really need one there and I didn’t do it before. Also make sure to get a good health insurance and check if your vaccinations are up to date, if you wanna travel get the yellow fever vaccine and make sure to have a physical pass.

2. Accommodation

After some online information and session I chose the Uliving Paulista Student Housing. I loved it there because the social life is great and you connect to a lot of international students as well to the Brazilians living at the building. The room is small but comfortable it’s enough and the shared kitchen system worked pretty good. With the rooftop, the lobby and the outside place with a volleyball court I had everything to enjoy some fun time with friends. Besides that it was only a 30 minutes walk to the university and a big shopping mall was literally right next to the students dorm. A lot of sights and also activities for day or night are within a few minutes uber drive away.

3. Academic life at host university

The Campus and university buildings were very modern and easy to access. The structure was a lot of group activities, presentations or assignments. The courses are divided into Modules 1, 2 or semester courses. I would recommend to do more Modul courses because the semester courses are more difficult. The courses were more chill than at WU but of course depends on the professor. I think when it comes to the course registration or the online services it has a lot of similarities to our university.

5. Every day life in the host country

I think public transportation is very good there especially the metro but I usually walked or took Uber. I felt very good and safe there but you have to be aware of the risks and be careful and watch out for yourself. Avoid going out alone at night and stay away from parts you think are suspicious. Regarding the social life this was my favourite part of the exchange because there was always something happening you have festivals, concerts or student events to go to. A lot of sports options as well I played a lot of volleyball on the court at Uliving but also went to a gym nearby which is called smartfit and found a Pole dance studio in a near neighbourhood. I recommend to learn some basic Portuguese phrases it makes your life so much easier because outside of the university and dorm, English is rarely spoken or even known.

6. Testimonial

Brasil is a great destination if you feel curious about the culture and if you want to travel through South America, I was in Chile, Peru and Bolivia - within Brasil in Rio de Janeiro, Paraty, São Luis and Lençois. I loved the country and I’m forever grateful for the experience and friends I’ve made. I would recommend every time to go there once in your life at least, I will definitely go back.