Rio de Janeiro Travel Forum

Like the title says, I'm planning a semester abroad before I graduate. My options are either Fundacao Armando Alvares Penteado in Sao Paulo (FAAP) or Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-rio).

I was hoping someone might have some opinions about the social life at either of these institutions or the general area that either is situated in (FAAP is dead center in the middle of Sao paulo and PUC-rio is in Gavea.

Anyone?
Alguem?

obrigado

Of course I am more biased to Rio than Sao paolo, but just living in Brazil is a great experience. In Rio, there really is more partying and it is really more touristy and you might find it hard to study...too many temptations - not to mention the sometimes unsafe favelas (although commonsense is the key in not getting into trouble).

Sao Paolo is also a nice place to be at, with lots of dining options. It has the biggest population of japanese outside of japan! So expect a lot of Asian cuisine on tope of the amazing Brazilian churrascaria. Not much to offer like Rio in terms of touristy beaches, but Sao paol has a charm of its own. The only thing I don't really like about it is the traffic...but because it is less touristy, you might get to study more!

Thank you in Brazil is "Obrigado"...Have Fun! Norman :)

All I can say is.. Have fun there cariocaoupaulista !///

I support the last comentary from VTmember. I believe Fundação Alvares Penteado is better for you as a student.
FAAP is safe positionated and near a soccer stadium. If you rent an apartment near Av Paulista you may get the subway at Masp Station and drop out at Consolação Station to be very near to FAAP (Subway Line 2 green). Social life and nightlife at Av Paulista is the best.
Paulistanos are responsible people but have fun at night.

http://www.faap.br/fale/index.htm

http://webservices.maplink2.com.br/storelocator2/mapa.aspx?type=0&codcliente=90&codsubcliente=2

http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esta%C3%A7%C3%A3o_Consola%C3%A7%C3%A3o_(Metr%C3%B4_de_S%C3%A3o_Paulo)

Cassiovieggore

I support the last comentary from VTmember. I believe Fundação Alvares Penteado is better for you as a student.
FAAP is safe positionated and near a soccer stadium. If you rent an apartment near Av Paulista you may get the subway at Masp Station and drop out at Consolação Station to be very near to FAAP (Subway Line 2 green). Social life and nightlife at Av Paulista is the best.
Paulistanos are responsible people but have fun at night.

http://www.faap.br/fale/index.htm

http://webservices.maplink2.com.br/storelocator2/mapa.aspx?type=0&codcliente=90&codsubcliente=2

http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esta%C3%A7%C3%A3o_Consola%C3%A7%C3%A3o_(Metr%C3%B4_de_S%C3%A3o_Paulo)

Cassiovieggore

It really depends on the atmosphere you are looking for.

Would you like living in New York Cty? Then you might like Sao Paulo which has a similar large urban feel, big, loud, bustling, skyscrapers, focused on business, lots of expensive restaurants and chic clubs, traffic jams getting out to the beach on the weekends, excellent sorverterias, interesting art scene if you can find it.

Rio is more relaxed, beautiful scenery, with a beach culture, emphasis on lots of music everywhere, open, friendly people, great access to weekend destinations (mountains, beach, islands), more touristy. Gavea is an upper class residential neighborhood where the Joquei Clube (horse race track) is located, next to the central Lagoa de Freitas, which itself is behind the upscale beach neighborhood of Ipanema.

Since I don't know either of these faculties, I'd go on atmosphere and vote for Rio.

I vote for Rio and PUC!