Our student Natalia Gámez, from the Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, received a scholarship for an international stay in Porto Alegre, Brazil. She shares with us her student experience at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Yes, that is one of the reasons why I chose this university, because its curriculum is very complete and offers opportunities that help you to have a better professional formation.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
It was always a goal that I wanted to accomplish during my stay at the University of Celaya, however, many times I saw the opportunity to study abroad far away, but thanks to not giving up and making my best effort, I was able to achieve it.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, it was my first experience outside my country.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
The desire to learn other study methods, another culture and acquire new knowledge for my career, which is the most important thing because it gives you another type of academic approach. And the experience of leaving your comfort zone, because separating from your parents, friends, and family for so many months, makes you value and change both professionally and personally.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Primarily because in my career I am offered to study at the university in this country, however, what caught my attention was the culture and the language. As well as my career is focused on "Health Sciences" and Brazil is one of the main countries focused on health.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
You feel many mixed feelings, not knowing the language, being out of your country, another different culture and adapting to the climate of the country. It was certainly one of my main problems when I arrived, but everything is a process of adaptation and you enjoy learning and it makes you stronger.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
It is a wonderful university in every sense of the word, it is very large, and very focused on student innovation, as well as its facilities, teachers, students, among many other opportunities that are offered to belong to this university "PUCRS" are excellent to grow professionally. As a student of academic mobility they offer you university friends and months before your arrival they contact you and make you feel special because they are always aware of your stay at the university, the teachers are very flexible; because they understand that you speak another language and it is not difficult for you to adapt so they give you your time and space. And something very human for which I am very grateful is that all the foreigners were supported with a basic food for these times of Covid19 and quarantine.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
I miss my family, friends and above all Mexican cuisine, because without a doubt there is no better food than Mexican food. The University of Celaya in my opinion is one of the best universities because I really like its curriculum, I miss my classes and my professors, because you already know them and you know the way they work, weightings, etc.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
To get to know the beautiful places that this vast country has to offer, to meet new people with cultures very different from ours, to practice English and learn a very beautiful language such as Portuguese and the culture of this country, which is very beautiful and very emblematic.
And the hardest part?
At the beginning, learning the language and understanding the classes, as we all know, we had a difficult time because this pandemic was what changed my initial expectations, however, you adapt.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
I think that being away from your country is one of the fears that everyone has because you do not know what you are going to face, without your parents, makes you see life differently, to value; because many times we do not realize what we have if not until we are far away and you miss. Personally I matured in many areas of my life and professionally expanded my horizons, I learned and reinforced a lot of knowledge of nutrition, so now I feel like eating the world.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Yes, these are unique opportunities that you will never regret and it leaves you wanting to go above and beyond, to give more than what is asked of you. I am so grateful for this opportunity!
Nuestra alumna María Fernanda Jauregui de la Lic. en Comercio Internacional, nos comparte su experiencia como ganadora de una Beca Uni Internacional, en su estancia en la Pontifícia Universidad Católica de Rio Grande del Sur, Porto Alegre/Brasil.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Si, ese fue uno de los motivos por lo que me gusto estudiar en la Universidad de Celaya.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
No, pensé que no iba a tener la oportunidad de adquirir la beca.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, solo había ido de vacaciones con mi familia.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
El principal motivo por lo que quería estudiar en el extranjero era aprender un idioma nuevo, conocer nuevas personas y aprender una nueva cultura, también poner el nombre alto de México con mis valores y conocimientos.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Se me hizo muy interesante la cultura de los brasileños, también el idioma fue algo que me llamo la atención.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Mucha emoción y entusiasmo porque empecé a conocer lugares nuevos y personas que hablan un idioma que nunca había practicado, me puse un poco nerviosa al principio porque no conocía a nadie y era todo nuevo para mí.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
Muy bien, la verdad es una de las mejores universidades de Brasil, nos hicieron una pequeña fiesta de bienvenida, los maestros siempre nos apoyan en todo lo que necesitábamos, nos dieron un recorrido por toda la escuela, también nos están apoyando mucho con la situación que estamos viviendo del coronavirus, nos brindaron una despensa y movilidad siempre está al pendiente de nosotros.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
Lo que más extraño son mis compañeros de salón, también mis materias más enfocadas con lo que me gustaría dedicarme en un futuro, mi familia, la comida porque en Brasil no se come nada de pimienta, eso fue difícil para acostumbrarme
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
Conocer lugares maravillosos, también personas, la cultura y tradiciones de Brasil, también tener la oportunidad de estar en una de las mejores universidades de Brasil y aprovechar las instalaciones que me brindan.
And the hardest part?
El idioma fue un factor que al principio se me hizo un poco difícil de comunicarme, también que no conocía a nadie y todo era nuevo para mí.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
Tener conocimiento de un idioma nuevo, ya que esto te da un gran plus para tu desarrollo profesional, en lo personal te haces más independiente al estar lejos de tus padres.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Si, es una oportunidad que se tiene que vivir una vez en la vida cuando somos estudiantes, porque te abre muchas oportunidades y experiencias inolvidables, conoces a personas que se vuelven como tu familia, también aprendes mucho sobre la cultura del país de tu estancia.
Citlalli Rodríguez, alumna de Ingeniería Industrial Administrativa, nos comparte su experiencia internacional en la Universidad de Lleida, España. Una experiencia única como ganadora de una Beca Uni Internacional.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Yes
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
La verdad no, pero si lo llegué a pensar un par de veces.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Crecer como persona.
¿Por qué decidiste estudiar en ese país?
Tuve varios objetivos, uno de ellos fue conocer el sistema de educación, siempre me comentaban que en Europa la educación era muy diferente a la de México, eso me llamó mucho la atención; la cultura también me interesó mucho, amo la cultura de nuestro país, pero soy de la idea de conocer muchas y así enriquecer más mi manera de pensar; siendo honesta vine a este intercambio con objetivos muy claros y poco comunes según mis amigos y compañeros de clase y hasta el momento he cumplido la mayoría a pesar de las circunstancias en las que nos encontramos.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Muchos nervios, pero si lo debo de describir en una frase puedo decir que fue una marea de emociones y sentimientos
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
Fueron muy amables y atentos
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
De la UNI la verdad extraño la manera de impartir las clases, como lo mencioné anteriormente uno de mis objetivos fue conocer el método de enseñanza a los estudiantes y puedo decir que la verdad me agrada más mis clases en México que aquí, cabe recalcar que tienen un buen método y sistema en España, pero no me acostumbro a los horarios y los cambios espontáneos de las clases; esto si hablamos de la escuela, porque de mi México extraño mucho mucho mucho la comida y a mi familia.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
La manera de ver el mundo de todas las personas que he conocido, su percepción del presente y su manera de pensar.
And the hardest part?
La pandemia del COVID-19, esto me cambió un poco mis planes.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
Espero que siempre que tenga un mal día, me sienta mal o tenga algún reto o proyecto complicado tenga presente esta experiencia, sé que aún no termina, pero he aprendido tanto a pesar de la pandemia, me he conocido de una manera en la pensé que no sería posible, inclusive he expandido mi visión profesional y ni mencionar la personal, tengo muchos proyectos ahora y sé que los cumpliré.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Claro que sí, sobre todo a aquellos compañeros que no le tengan miedo a una nueva explosión de pensamientos, crecimiento personal, profesional y a aquellos con ganas de superarse.
Since 2014, the University of Celaya started the "Business Linking Program".
An institution-business linkage through projects that allow interaction between companies and students.
In recent years, the institution has managed to implement 800 projects that have benefited more than 500 organizations in the public and private sector, in solutions in different thematic areas.
In the August-December 2019 semester, 11 projects were the winners, derived from the great effort and capacity of our students, here we present them:
Reverse Logistics Carrots
Project for the utilization of most of the carrots that are not currently being marketed, seeking differentiated proposals that generate value for the final consumer.
Golden Foods Cyclical Menus
Re-engineering of the company's canteen, including improvements in facilities, storage, cleaning and menu modification.
Hygienic food handling
Improvement and professionalization project in the market of Cortazar, Gto. It involves the proper handling of food, as well as training for vendors to improve their processes and productivity.
Cricket Flour
Elaboration of a market study for the development and placement of a new product with many properties and economic benefits for the community of Capulines.
Collective Brand of Cajeta
Development of an integral project to promote cajeta. It includes packaging redesign, marketing and labeling; in general, a strategy to promote the cajeta association.
Media Observatory
Project to develop a media observatory at Uni, so that CMA graduates can have more practice and develop skills in communication and media operation. Developing the ability to analyze and study communication phenomena through research, analysis, narrative and expressive creativity, as well as the generation of useful information for our city from a critical stance in the study of communication.
Respect Me More, A.C.
Advise to restructure the association's corporate purpose and in turn to properly manage it so that it becomes a donor association. Put the legal situation of Respétame, A.C. in order.
Improved work performance due to changes in eating habits
Development of a project with nutritional proposals for employees according to their job profile and work schedules through infographics and training.
Nopal Tea
Proposal to include Nopal Tea in the product catalog, a product that is easy and economical to produce, but above all, innovative and attractive due to the variety of benefits it contains in its properties.
Capulines Pickles
Conducting a market study to market a brand of pickles from the community of Capulines, since there is a quality product and adequate raw material to promote it.
Logistics Transportation
Logistics project to solve shipping and storage problems in an avocado packing company.
At Universidad de Celaya, we know that collaboration with our training partners is an important key in the professional preparation of students to face new challenges.
Thanks to the Uni Scholarships, our student María Núñez from the Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, had the opportunity to make an international stay at the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria. Madrid, Spain.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Yes, it was always one of my goals to enter this program.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
I was not sure I would do it, but I was working since high school and college to be a candidate and meet all the requirements to travel abroad. This program was one of the main reasons why I decided to study at the University, so I was very excited to participate.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No
Whaté what prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Learning about other cultures and sharing experiences, knowledge and experiences. In addition to learning to live alone and grow personally and professionally.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Because Madrid has one of the best universities for my career so getting into UFV was very important for me.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Fear, uncertainty but above all a lot of excitement and happiness to begin a new stage of learning many new things and starting from scratch in another place.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
Very well, the truth is that the program and the international students of UFV, provide you with many tools to make your adaptation process a little easier. I didn't expect such a good reception, but the truth is that you can see a lot of effort in the area and they are very nice and kind to the students.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
My family, friends and food.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
Feeling that you are already adapted; that you have made friends, that you have learned to live on your own, that you have adapted to your university and classmates and that you know how to move around the city. I learned that although for some it is something "everyday" to be able to walk the streets without any concern and without fear, it is actually a luxury and a privilege that is priceless. I really enjoyed being able to move around the city at any time without being afraid and feeling free. Unfortunately it is such a simple activity that in Celaya is something that we can no longer do without fear, and Madrid allowed me to do it and I am very grateful for that.
And the hardest part?
The pandemic and the adaptation process.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
That when I get home I will be a more mature person with new knowledge that I can share with my colleagues, friends and family.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Yes, it is an opportunity for personal and professional growth that should not be missed, and I believe it is an experience that you will have for the rest of your life.
