Rio de Janeiro – GW Blogs from Abroad

The Bucket List

AdminDecember 1, 2013December 14, 2018

Unfortunately, the clock is ticking down on my time in Rio de Janeiro. As of right now, I've got just under two weeks left in the cidade maravilhosa, which means that I've been spending a lot of time thinking: about the friendships I've made, about the experiences I've had, about how I've grown and changed as a person, generally just about a lot of sappy stuff.

But I've also realized one thing: short as it may be, two weeks is still precious, precious time, which means I shouldn't be wasting it thinking about the past or being nervous about the future. Instead, I should be trying to make the best out of the little time I have left.

So what's the best way to go about that? With a bucket list, obviously.

The idea of a bucket list might seem inherently depressing, but I've found that it will allow me to spend my last few weeks in Rio in the best way that I can. It's a comprehensive list of all the sights I still need to see, all the neighborhoods I still need to visit, all the cultural events I still need to attend. It's a list of all the touristy things I still need to do, all of the typically "Brazilian" things I still need to try out. And of course, it also includes things I still need to buy, all the food I still need to eat, and the (cheap) restaurants I still need to visit.

If it seems like a lot, it's because it is. But now, instead of feeling sad about my dwindling time, I'm excited and ready. I'm making goals for everyday: today I'll do this, tomorrow I'll try that. And now, instead of thinking about how much I'm gonna miss this city, I'm thinking about all the great things I'm going to do during my last two weeks.

See, it's important, when your study abroad time is coming to a close, to sit back and think about your experience as a whole. It can be easy, during this time, to feel sad. After all, you're gonna miss your friends. You're going to miss your host country, miss all the people you'e met. And it can be easy to get scared of what lies ahead: readjusting to American society, going back to school for the first time in months. And of course, it can also be easy to suddenly get excited to see the friends and family you've missed during your semester abroad.

But getting caught up in those feelings means that your last few days are not being spent to their fullest. And when you actually do leave, you'll think about everything that could've been.

A bucket list lets you have all of that on paper. But more than that, it gets your mind off of all the emotions you can be feeling towards the end of your semester. Instead of dwelling on the faraway past or the faraway future, you have concrete plans for the present, things to occupy your mind. Plus, even if you don't get to finish everything--and let's be real, it's almost impossible to do everything you want to do when you're studying abroad--you'll have less regrets when you finally hop on your plane back to America.

As for my bucket list, it includes such things as: buying a pair of havaianas, visiting secret beaches in Barra da Tijuca, seeing a play at the Teatro Municipal, visiting museums, and of course, going up Corcovado Mountain to see the world-famous Christ the Redeemer statue.

Yes, I saved the best for last. What's on yours?

TWEET: I made my bucket list. Are you ready to make yours? #GWU #GWAbroad

Ideas from Abroad: Jungle Gyms for Everyone

AdminNovember 21, 2013December 14, 2018

By mfretes93

I pass it on the bus on the way to school twice a week. The scene is that of a group of about 15 elderly folk, dressed up in sweats, headbands, sneakers, and other exercise gear, working out together in what seems to be a glorified jungle gym. Needless to say, the image generally warms the hearts of everyone on the bus, and it's gotten to the point where I actively look for it when I take the bus in the late afternoon. Luckily, I guess I have a penchant for taking the bus at exactly the right time everyday.

I recently learned that the Rio de Janeiro state government implemented these all around the state and the city. They're brightly colored public gyms, small seas of lime green and baby blue stair steppers, exercise bikes, and ellipticals, completely free to use for the workout-hungry citizens of Rio de Janeiro.

The program, actually, is intended for the elderly and the overweight, not just because many of these people can't afford or don't want to have expensive gym memberships, but also so that these people will actually work out at all. The spaces are eye-catching and located all over the city: they were one of the first things I noticed when I arrived here, and I continue to notice them everyday.

But I suppose that one of the main reasons why I've been so fascinated by them is the fact that I'm from the U.S. of A. Americans are quite familiar with our health-freak/workout culture, and everyone's desire to look like a Hollywood actor or actress. There's always the newest diet trend--quinoa & kale-infused kombucha, anyone?--always the newest workout that will get you flat abs in 3 hours or less, and come March, everyone is running around trying to make sure they have a "beach body" in time for the one time they will go to the beach during the entire summer.

Health and exercise are simply obsessions in America, especially at a time when all of our political leaders, from those in the tiniest of town governments to those on Capital Hill, are trying their very best to fight the obesity epidemic that is taking over our deep-fried nation.

Yet even with this obsession, with all of the diets and workouts, with big-city mayors banning people from buying soda, with first ladies exercising with fifth graders, even we don't have a government program as seemingly effective as Rio de Janeiro's free public gyms. Because not only are the prevalence of these exercise spaces fighting obesity, they're also inspiring the elderly to get out of the house, to keep their bodies healthy, and to meet new people--so that they'll keep coming back, keep exercising, and get healthier over the long-run.

Of course, there's an even better part of the program that I've neglected to mention: every morning and every afternoon, each of these public exercise spaces also has personal trainers around to help you with your workout. They're employed by Rio's government, and yes, their services are also completely free. You tell them what you're trying to work on--be it cardio, abs, or whatever you want--and they'll tell you what machines to use, and for how long.

And luckily for everyone under the age of 60, it isn't strange for you to use these gyms--and their personal trainers--even though they're intended for the elderly and the overweight. They're public spaces, after all--they're for anyone and everyone, and no one will look at you strangely for being the only person working out under the age of 45.

All of this isn't to say that Rio de Janeiro doesn't also have its own obsession with health and fitness that borders on the obscene. There are expensive, upscale gyms on nearly every block, after all. Many of my friends here in Brazil have a gym membership at one of these locales, or take sport classes at school. But with these government-funded hotspots all over the city, why spend the extra money when you can just take a walk around the corner?

And lastly, a word to the U.S.: why didn't we come up with this first?

Something the U.S. could use: free public gyms? #GWU #GWUAbroad

Pop Culture Abroad: The Festival do Rio

AdminOctober 1, 2013December 14, 2018

By mfretes93

One of the main goals of my study abroad experience was cultural immersion--which, to me, doesn't just mean befriending local Brazilians, or becoming familiar with colloquial Portuguese. To me, it means really getting to know the culture of Brazil and Rio de Janeiro.

But what does that entail, really? So far, it's meant trying to understand customs, like greeting by kissing on the cheek, and trying to really get into the Brazilian mindset. So far, it's meant visiting important landmarks, like the Escadaria Selarón, the world-famous colorful steps in Lapa, or Cinelândia, or the Teatro Municipal. And so far, it's meant visiting a few museums to understand the art and the history of the cidade maravilhosa.

Of course, culture encompasses so much more than landmarks, museums, and art. And what I've noticed is that, for study abroad-ers, one of the more under-appreciated forms of culture is pop culture: TV, music, and movies. Maybe it's just because, at home, I'm an entertainment and pop culture buff--not being able to catch the finale of Breaking Bad live almost made me shed a tear, or two, or twelve--but I don't think I've gotten to know Brazilian pop culture as well as I would like, or should.

Luckily for me, a great opportunity is in town for the next couple of weeks. Up until October 10, the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival, or the Festival do Rio, is happening, which means I'll be able to kill two birds with one glitzy, Hollywood-produced stone.

Not only will I be able to catch the Latin American premieres of a few American-made films that I've been looking forward to, including Alfonso Cuarón's new space thriller starring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, Gravity, but I'll also be able to see the world premieres of a number of Brazilian productions, ranging from crime thrillers, to heart-wrenching documentaries, to whimsical animated films. And the best part of all of this, is that a ticket to any of these films during the festival won't be more than R$15--or just under US$7. Compared to the US$15 that I'm used to paying to see movies in New York, it's a steal.

In fact, the Festival do Rio is one of the largest film festivals in Latin America, and this year, it has over 300 films screening. It also has a competitive section, Premiére Brasil, in which a series of Brazilian films compete for various awards, including Best Documentary, Best Short Film, and of course, Best Film. For Brazilian filmmakers, it's an incredible opportunity to get their work noticed, from the tiniest of short films to the grandest of blockbuster thrillers. And for the lucky few films that win an award at the festival, even bigger doors could open, including a chance to become Brazil's entry for Best Foreign Film at next year's Academy Awards. A number of actors, directors, and producers are also in town for the festival too, including Dakota Fanning and Goldie Hawn. In summation, while Festival do Rio means two weeks of seeing great films, it also means something in the film world--which in itself makes it a great opportunity for me while I'm here in Rio de Janeiro.

And of course, I've never been to a film festival before, so for the next few weeks, I'm going to be as giddy as a child visiting Disney World for the first time. At my local University, many of the professors of the Cinema department have managed to snag what seems to be a limitless amount of free tickets to various screenings over the course of the festival, and I've managed to get access to a few of these. It's going to be a great two weeks.

But to wrap things up, my advice for you all is: don't be afraid of pop culture. Considering how influential it is in America, and how obsessed with it every American seems to be, it only makes sense that pop culture can a similar--if much smaller--amount of power abroad. Check out television shows, local music artists, and yes, see if there's a film festival coming to town. After all, how can you know a foreign culture if you don't know what they're watching, what they're listening to, and of course, what they're reference in everyday speech?

For now, though, I'm off to spend the remainder of my money watching an obscene amount of movies. See you all after the festival's over.