It is the most beautiful city in the world, the the mountains run into the sea there. Take a trip up to Cristo Redentor, christ the redeemer. It is a really touristy spot, but you quickly discover why. It is fabulous.

If you’re studying there, make sure you learn portuguese. You don’t need to be perfect before you go, but attempt to learn a bit, and while you are there, try to become fluent. You get way more of an experience if you can communicate. Also, the rio accent is so different from the rest of Brazil, it is easier to pick up and harder for other brazilians to figure out if you are gringo.

And Rio is also one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Don’t tell your mum that. Just be careful and you will be fine. You don’t want to look foreign while in rio. Look as brazilian as possible, and never dress rich or wear nice jewelry.

my two cents.