Navigating a new work environment and culture in Brazil can be challenging, but all that you require are the essential apps to get you prepared and sort things out! From mastering public transportation to mastering basic Portuguese for everyday interactions, feeling productive is the key to success.
Here, we’ll explore 5 essential apps to simplify your workday in Brazil.
1. Essential Navigation: Moovit and Waze
Moovit which is a comprehensive app, is essential for conquering public transportation. It provides real-time information, including bus schedules, routes, and live traffic updates. Moovit even offers multi-modal trip planning, suggesting the most efficient way to reach your destination using buses, trains, and subways. Waze is similar to Google Maps, a user-powered navigation app that focuses on real-time traffic conditions and helps you avoid delays. Waze gets its data from other users on the road, providing up-to-date information on accidents, road closures, and speed traps. Useful for navigating through the traffic situations in Brazilian cities.
2. Language for Work and Beyond: Duolingo and Memrise
While English proficiency is rising in Brazilian workplaces, Portuguese remains the primary language of communication. Learning basic Portuguese will enhance your overall work experience, henceforth eliminating communication challenges, and fostering deeper connections. Duolingo, which is a free gamified learning app has a friendly user interface, perfect for squeezing in some learning during your commute or breaks. Duolingo offers bite-sized lessons focusing on essential vocabulary, grammar structures, and basic pronunciation. Alongside this, Memrise is also another popular language-learning app, it uses a repetition system to help you retain vocabulary effectively. It uses flashcards, mnemonic techniques, and interactive features to make learning hassle-free!
3. Financial Freedom: Nubank and PagBank
The most important thing among these is managing finances seamlessly in a new country, which contributes significantly to a stress-free workday. With apps like Nubank and Pagbank, you can manage your finances through their user-friendly app, make payments, and receive salary deposits easily. Nubank offers virtual debit cards for secure online transactions and a network of ATMs for cash withdrawals, while Pagbank boasts of a vast network of partnered stores where you can withdraw cash without fees using your debit card. One-stop solution for real!
4. Food Delivery: iFood and Rappi
While hustling at work, at the end of the day delivery apps will be your lifesavers for lunch breaks and after-work needs. iFood dominates the Brazilian food delivery market. You can browse menus from a vast selection of restaurants, order your favorite dishes, and have them delivered directly to your office or home. iFood also offers grocery delivery, saving you precious time on shopping sprees. Rappi offers a wide range of delivery services apart from food like groceries, pharmacy needs, and even pet supplies. Win-win for all!
5. Cab Service – 99
99 is a local player in Brazil, which offers more competitive pricing and wider coverage in Brazil, as compared to other ride-hailing apps. With 99, you can request rides ranging from budget-friendly options to taxis and premium vehicles. Additionally, it boasts wider coverage in Brazilian cities, extending to suburbs and areas where international options might be less prevalent. With a user-friendly interface, you can see estimated fares upfront, track your driver’s arrival in real time, and pay conveniently through the app using various methods.
Conclusion:
Well before wishing you Boa sorte (good luck) on your Brazilian adventure, although these 5 essential apps aim to simplify your Brazilian workday, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider. Certain apps, such as Waze and Moovit, may have an initial user interface that seems overwhelming, and the real-time information’s accuracy may not always match up. Plus, a few apps, like 99 and Rappi, have mostly Portuguese interfaces, so having a translation app on hand could be useful. Some features within these apps may also require cash payments, so it’s good to have some local currency on hand.
Apart from these, some other local delivery apps might also require some research to find the right one for your specific needs, and their functionalities can vary.
