Erasmus Experience in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil by Gui

Why did you choose to go to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil?

I live there.

What is the student lifestyle like in Rio de Janeiro?

Well, it's gonna be hard to stay focused. If you "let it go", you're gonna be in a different "party" every single day.

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Would you recommend the city and the University of Rio de Janeiro to other students?

Yes.

What is the food like?

Well, I travelled the whole world and there's no place like Brazil when we talk about food. No other country in the world you can eat so much with your money.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Rio de Janeiro?

I live there.

How much does it cost to live in Rio de Janeiro?

Well, Rio is getting close to the biggest cities in the world, like London, Manhattan or LA in terms of "cost of living". If you wanna live where things happen (the South Zone, or "Zona Sul"), you'll have to pay. A 2-BR apartment in Botafogo can't be found for less than US$1000 a month.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

Well, the "cariocas" (people who born in Rio) are famous for the way they speak. So, expect a LOT of slangs and NOTHING close to the traditional "Portuguese" you be used to. The natives use to speak really fast as well, but you gonna have so many opportunities of "social interaction", that you should learn fast.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Rio de Janeiro from your city?

I live in Rio.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Rio de Janeiro?

Well, like any big city in the world, "you need to know where to go" each night. I mean, Rio is big but, at the same time, it seems like the "whole nightlife habitants" know each other, and tend to go to same places. It also depends on what kind of "party animal" you are: Rio has TONS of bars/pubs, a real passion for us (drinking in bars with no walls to the street, so you feel free), so you can stop to a drink every day at your favourite bar. And also, there's a few nightclubs, but Rio is more about "parties" than nightclubs. So, you need to know "what's the best party" each weekend and "where's it happening" to know where to go. It also depends on your age range and what's your music style. Anyway, if you don't know about any "party", an error-proof schedule would be:

• Monday - Sit at any bar at "Praça Santos Dumont" (Santos Dumont square) in neighborhood "Gávea". We call this area "Baixo Gávea" (down Gávea). Packed on Mondays.
• Friday - Head to "Lapa". It'll be packed. Start drinking outside on the streets, close to the "Arcos" (Arcs, traditional spot in Rio, take pictures), and then head to "Rio Scenarium" about midnight. Traditional place (with a lof of tourists, ok, but a LOT of locals too) and a really nice experience. The place is nice and they just play Brazilian music.
• Saturday - Find a party!
• Sunday - Wake up and go to the beach to cure your hangover. Start drinking again there, head to any "no walls" bar close to the beach, watch a soccer match with the locals and you'll have a traditional Sunday in Rio!

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And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Rio de Janeiro?

There are so many different restaurants, it all depends on you, what you like. For a quick snack, stop by any "fresh fruit juice bar" you find (they're all over there, almost every corner). And for bars/restaurants, check it out:

Vejario

That's the main weekly magazine in Rio, and people there use it a lot as a guide.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The "must-see":.

• Take the old train up to "Corcovado", where's the "Cristo Redentor" (christ redeemer statue). Don't go up with taxi, use the traditional train. Best view of the city;
• Go to neighborhood "Urca" and take the cable car up to "Pão de Açucar" (sugar loaf mountain). Amazing view as well;
• Take a cab and go to "Sambódromo" (the avenue where the Samba Schools parade happens). Not that great, but once in Rio, you should see it.
• Take a cab and visit the Maracanã stadium, temple of soccer. Kind of close to "Sambódromo", so do it in the same day.
• The beaches! "Copacabana" (just to see, not a good one to stay, too many tourists and the bad things that come together); "Ipanema" and "Leblon".

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Additional stuff:

• "Jardim Botânico" (Botanic Garden). Really cool, take your stuff and try to have a breakfast there.
• "Teatro Municipal" (Municipal Theater). Nice to see when you're visiting the city center (downtown).
• Aterro do Flamengo. That's the avenue that goes from the local/domestic airport to South Zone. You see an amazing landscape from Rio. There's a bike lane, really nice ride. Do it during the day.

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Rio de Janeiro in the future?

Mix with the locals. Like any big city in the world, there are things just locals know. And Rio, even getting WAY better these days, is still not 100% "ready" for tourists, i mean, it's not easy to find information and help in English or another language in many places, so a local friend is a must to help you out.