Student Spotlight: Kelci Cunningham in Brazil
How do daily routines—like shopping, cooking, or resting—differ from what you’re used to at home?
I lived in a dorm hall for the fall 2025 semester, I didn't have to buy produce and meats as the dining hall was located next to my building. The American dollar is stronger than a Brazilian Reai, so the groceries and meals I order at restaurants are cheap. There is a street market called Feira that occurs every Tuesday and there, stores and vendors sell fresh fruit, vegetables, and meat. I prefer going to the Feira rather than the grocery store as it can be cheaper.
Alumni Stories: Adriana Morgan in Brazil
I studied abroad in Brazil, in a city called Belo Horizonte. What drew me there was really the chance to do something different. A lot of study abroad options at my school were in Europe, and while that’s amazing, I wanted to challenge myself in a new way. I was deciding between Spain and Brazil, and since I already had a Spanish background, I thought, why not go somewhere I didn’t speak the language at all? Brazil felt like a place full of culture, energy, and life that I could learn from. It just felt like the right choice for me to grow.
Student Spotlight: Adriana Morgan in Brazil
“In Brazil, food is more than just food it’s like a social experience. Meals are commonly shared with family, coworkers, or classmates, making eating together a key part of daily life. While it’s not unheard of to eat alone, it’s definitely more common to share a meal with others. Compared to the U.S., Brazilians tend to eat earlier. Breakfast and lunch happen relatively early in the day, and dinner is usually finished by 7 PM or so.”
Student Spotlight: Toni Jackson in Brazil
“Brazilians are very close with their families. A lot of the Brazilian roommates in my program travel home at least twice a month, no matter how far away they are from their families (from 30 minutes to 2 hours!). In the US college students don’t really do this, so it’s very interesting to see how family culture affects college life. Food is a big connector for Brazilian families, so whether it’s dinner, a cookout, or just chatting, food is always involved.”
Student Spotlight: Toni Jackson in Brazil
What is one challenge you experienced during your first month? How did you overcome that challenge?
“One challenge I’ve experienced is adapting to the different foods available in Brazil. There are a lot of simple food items I miss like slurpees or Mac and cheese, that I didn’t realize wouldn’t be available here. I’ve overcome that challenge by trying new Brazilian foods that largely aren’t available in the US like pastels, coxinhas, and açaí. There are even a number of restaurants that I love and will miss when I go back to the U.S.”