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Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil 2022/2023 Partner universities

Personal data
Mobility type:
study

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Arts

Field of study:
Theory of Interactive Media / Theory of Interactive Media

Level of study during period of placement:
Master

Language used:
Portuguese

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
autumn 2022

Period of placement (from-to):
2022-07-08 - 2022-12-13

Number of months:
5

Activities before my departure abroad
Where can information be found about courses taught at the foreign school?:
On the website of the international department of the university
http://www.puc-rio.br/ensinopesq/ccci/incoming/

Which documents were needed for acceptance at the foreign university?:
01 photo (3 x 4 cm size)
Official Transcript of records
International Office nomination letter
Copy of passport
Personal Statement
Copy of health insurance
Covid-19 Certificate of vaccination
Yellow fever immunization
Confirmation of wire transfer
*Current list see on the website

How far ahead did you have to organise your acceptance?:
As soon as possible

Did you need a visa?:
yes

Documents and materials needed for a visa:
Valid passport
Fill out the electronic form
1x passport-size photo
Proof of study from the Brazilian side
Confirmation of financial security of stay
Confirmation of studies at a university in the Czech Republic
Criminal record
Travel health insurance for the duration of your stay in Brazil
Return ticket (reservation is not enough)
Birth certificate translated into Portuguese
Consular fee of 100 USD
*Current list see on the website

Length of wait for visa:
One week

Fee for the visa:
100 USD

Studies
Did you have a Learning Agreement signed before your departure?:
- choose option -

If not, why not?:
Full list of subjects for the semester was not published until just before the beginning

Before your departure did you know how your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
No

During your stay did you change your Learning Agreement?:
Yes

When and how did course registration take place? Are there any restrictions? Possibilities of making changes?:
Student can enroll in a maximum of 5 classes + compulsory Portuguese language

Did you take any examinations at the foreign school?:
Yes

Does the school use the ECTS system?:
- choose option -

If not then explain how the credits there were recalculated into ECTS:
1 local credit = 1.5 ECTS

Describe the teaching methods (theory, practical and projects) and assessment of students:
Teaching takes place in smaller groups of a maximum of 20 people. There is more debate and communication. The approach of the teachers is friendly and sometimes very informal.

Quality of teaching in comparison with home school:
The approach is very different, but the quality is similar.

How did you receive study materials?:
Always from teachers through the information system.

Can you recommend an interesting course/subject/teacher?:
As a very interesting supplementary subject, I would mention Brazilian Language and Culture: From Stereotypes to Reality taught by Ricardo Borges Alencar. The class is about Brazilian history, culture, customs, etc. It helps you understand more about the place.

How well is the school library equipped?:
I don't know, I've never had to use it.

Availability of computers, internet access, level of software needed, requirements on notebook:
Fast internet for all university campus. The computer classrooms are modernly equipped.

Options from printing and copying:
There is a copy center on the univeristy campus.

Does the foreign school/student organisation arrange special events for exchange students?:
yes

If yes then what?:
At the beginning, during the semester, and at the end, the center for international cooperation organizes several meetings and trips for foreign students.

How would you assess your integration with the local students (evaluation like in school from 1 to 5 with 1 as highest):
1

or describe in your own words:
For integration with local students, I strongly recommend enrolling in a subject taught in Portuguese and participating in one of the faculty's sports teams. Otherwise, students who only attend subjects in English do not have contact with local students and are often stuck only in the bubble of international students.

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
I had my own room in an apartment with two other Brazilians.

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
400 EUR

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):

Describe the equipment. Tips for future students – what should they bring with them?:
I found a fully equipped room, so I didn't miss anything.

How and how far ahead should accommodation be organised?:
I found accommodation after my arrival within the first few days.

What are the catering options?:
There are several restaurants on the university campus, the cheapest is the student canteen where lunch costs 12 BRL.

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
Compared to prices in the Czech Republic, they are higher, especially in the southern part of the city. The prices also depend on the exchange rate, which sometimes changed by up to 20% during my stay.

Transport to location of placement:
Flight Vienna-Lisbon-Rio de Janeiro

Rough prices for transportation:
A one-way ticket for 700 EUR

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
Buy it as soon as possible

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
Metro 6.5 BRL
Bus 4 BRL
Itaú bike month plan 30 BRL/month
Relatively cheap uber, which you definitely cannot do without at night

What kind of formalities have to be arranged before arrival, for example residence permit?:
Within 90 days of arrival, you must come to the federal police to confirm your visa.

What health insurance did you use? (rough price, advantages, disadvantages, is it necessary to arrange insurance at the university other than your home (Czech) insurance?):
I used insurance from ČSOB, It was the best deal for me.

Did you have any experience with medical treatment abroad?:
Luckily I didn't have any.

Did you work during your studies?:
No, working with study visa is illegal.

What are the conditions for working for MU students?:
No, working with study visa is illegal.

Tips for free-time activities:
There are really many options. Beaches, parks, rocks, forests, waterfalls, museums, galleries, restaurants, bars, etc. You can also take advantage of university projects that help local communities, you can play sports in one of the university teams, and participate in the events of the Brother Carioca group, which organizes events and trips for foreign students.

Financial support and expenses
Total grant from Centre for International Cooperation:
100000 CZK

Monthly grant in CZK:
20000 CZK

Number of supported months:
5

Total number of months:
5

What other sources did you make use of to finance your placement?:
Own savings.

If you received another grant, state which and how much in CZK:

 
Total fees associated with enrolment at the university:
200 EUR

a/ amount of enrolment fee:
200 EUR

b/ amount of tuition fees:
0 EUR

c/ amount of other fees (which):
0 EUR

 
What was your average monthly expenditure?:
1200 EUR

a/ of which for accommodation:
400 EUR

b/ of which for catering:
400 EUR

c/ travel and recreation:
400 EUR

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:
Life in Rio is not cheap, count on that.

Recognition of foreign studies at the home faculty
How many credits did you gain during your studies (in the system of the foreign school)?:
16

How many ECTS credits were recognised at MU?:
24

Did you know in advance which of your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
After the approval of the learning agreement by my department coordinator.

What problems did you have with recognition?:
None

Overall assessment
Assessment of personal benefit (1 = excellent):
1

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
3

Evaluate the information and support provided by the foreign school (1 = excellent):
1

Did you encounter any serious problems during your stay:
No

What would you recommend to take with you:
Own medicines from your country.

What most surprised you at the partner university in a positive way:
The level of facilities of the university campus and the friendliness of the teachers.

What most surprised you at the partner university in a negative way:
Late arrivals of teachers.

Further comments: