Brazilian cuisine is a mixture of Portuguese, African and indigenous elements, and it varies from region to region.  In Rio, the city of immigrants par excellence, traditional and ethnic restaurants have co-existed for a long time, and one can find dishes from all over the world, from sushi to Middle-eastern. A particularly attractive option for students are the restaurants by the weight, located in the city center.

Brazilians in general, and cariocas in particular, are known for their friendliness. The greatest historian in Brazil, Sergio Buarque de Holanda, described this as the homem cordial. Besides the public venues where you will be able to meet locals, one key aspect of social relationships in Brazil is music. Students will often witness a conversation spontaneously turn into a music performance, where people of different generations sing together a samba or choro.