Day: February 13, 2017

The following are some observations from the first few weeks of the Spring 2017 semester in Rio by OU student (and Anthropology major) Ashley Dirks.  She began with no Portuguese but has quickly picked up the basics, and has thrown herself into life in Rio with enthusiasm.  As her photo shows, the beautiful views that are everywhere in the city continuously transform with the changing light. When I began college, I knew I wanted to travel. I dreamed about someday crossing the Atlantic and studying abroad. I never knew much about Brazil…

The following is a post by Christian Albuquerque, an OU student who spent the Fall 2016 semester with OU’s program in Rio.  He offers observations from his course project and how it influenced his thinking about his own place in the world.  The photo is of Christian at the Iguaçu Falls, on the border between Brazil and Argentina, where we went as a group in November. I have now been in Rio for 8 weeks, although it feels like much longer, and my time here has been nothing short of…

The following is a post by Marshaé Compton, an OU student who spent the Fall 2016 semester with the OU in Rio program.  She offers some observations of what a difference being in Brazil has made to her self-esteem and general outlook.  Marshaé’s photo with Rafa riding the bus shows her joy. Life in Rio de Janeiro is difficult to explain. I have now been here for a little over a month and I feel like I have been here my whole life. I have become completely accustomed to the way…