Shawn McBride's experience was a first for Augusta Technical College.

Mr. McBride, who is studying machine tools technology, is the first student from Augusta Tech to take part in a foreign exchange program. He participated in the U.S.-Brazil Arts and Culture Initiative at the Universidade Federal de Vicosa in Vicosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, from January through mid-July.

"I figured I had nothing to lose, so I applied for the program," he said. "I'm glad I did, because I've gained so much from my experience."

At the university, he took four classes: U.S.-Brazilian Relations, Basic Computers, American Literature and Portuguese Instrumental.

Many of the students and professors spoke and wrote in English, but two of his classes were taught in Portuguese, he said.

"The language barrier in those instances was, without a doubt, my biggest obstacle," he said. "Trying to communicate in those two classes was very difficult, but everyone was very patient with me. They understood I didn't speak Portuguese, or Spanish, which was also spoken there, so they helped me with the language."

By the time he left, he still wasn't fluent in the language, but communication was a lot better, he said.

"My vocabulary was still small, so I couldn't be very active in the conversations," he said. "However, there was a lot of improvement, so I left having a pretty good understanding of what they were saying and a lot more people were able to understand me."

During the program, he also shared his mechanical knowledge.

"There were a lot of students in the department who, if they were having mechanical trouble with something, would ask me to repair the item or fabricate a way to get it to work," he said. "That gave me an opportunity to show my ability and use what I've learned in my course of study."

After his experience in Brazil, Mr. McBride said, he hopes to do more traveling.

"There's a lot more out there that you can't find in a book," he said. "So, if the opportunity presents itself to travel abroad again, I will definitely take it."