- Be on time regardless of night before, Brazilian time, etc.
- Be professional at all times – at site visits listen, ask questions, and stay engaged. In class, participate and don’t sleep. The visit might not interest you but the next visit might so be respectful at all times and don’t break off in to small groups to talk.
- Don’t be loud, obnoxious Americans in restaurants, hotels, bars, etc. Always be aware of how others around you might be staring at the group of “Americans”. We tend to forget when we are in our group that our voices tend to get louder as we talk at restaurants, during activities, just being together as a group, etc.
- Always travel in pairs any time outside the hotel and in small groups in the larger cities.
- Be an adult – no whining.
- Mix and mingle with everyone in our group. Don’t always pair off with the same small group.
- The bus is everyone’s space so keep it clean, pick up your trash, cups, wrappers, etc.
- No drinking alcohol on the bus at any time. It is fine with meals but not in excess. Over indulgence will not be tolerated at any time!
- Observe people, places, things – everything – there is always something to learn.
- Relate what you see, hear, and learn back to our American culture. Why is it different? Why does the Brazilian way work? What can you learn from the Brazilian ways?
- Be respectful of others in the hotels. We are guests just like everyone else.
- You are representing the United States, the State of Ohio, Ohio State University, and your family at all times.
- The Brazilian graduate student must be with the group any time you go out at night to dance, etc. Never go out to a bar without one of these individuals.
- Don’t show or flash your money around as you are paying for things. Always be discreet.
- Have fun! This is going to be an incredibly memorable experience so take advantage of it as much as you can. Everyone will want to hear about your experience when you return so get ready to recount all the great stories.