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Jul 20, 2017 | No category
María Paula González is studying Gastronomy and from the University of Lleida, Spain, she tells us how she has lived this experience that the Uni scholarships have given her:
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Yes, it was one of the reasons why I stayed to study at Uni after being in high school as well.
Did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
It was always in my plans to go with this program but I never thought I would actually have the opportunity to do it.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
Yes, but not for more than 2 months.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Mainly because of my career, since studying gastronomy always means discovering and learning new things; and there is no better way to gain culinary experience than traveling.
Besides that, I always knew that getting out of the routine and living experiences like this make you grow as a person.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Being one of the destinations in Europe that the Uni had, I thought it was the best option to have more ease to travel and see many places, and also because of the opinions of students who had already been in Lleida.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
At the beginning I was not so happy and I was afraid of not adapting, leaving your home is difficult and the feelings are too many. Although it was in Spain, Lleida is in Catalonia, so the classes were in Catalan and I didn't understand anything. I really didn't know what was waiting for me.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
In the internationalization office they have been very kind and have given me a lot of security with all that fear of entering a new school. Despite having to deal with more than 180 students of more than 20 nationalities, they always have a personal touch and enough time to assist you and help you with whatever you need.
What will you miss most about Mexico?
Without a doubt, the food. Studying gastronomy has made it a little easier for me to live alone and I love to try new things, plus Spanish food is one of my favorites, but there is nothing like Mexican food.
I also missed my family and friends a lot but I could talk to them every day, so I was always close in some way.
What about the Uni?
My cooking classes more than anything else; in Lleida there is no career as such, so all my classes were theoretical. Also to my teachers, in the Uni all have an individual treatment with the student and in Lleida there was sometimes no way to reach an agreement or get an advice, because there were classes in which there were more than 90 students.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
All the friendships I formed.
Studies, responsibilities and travel are an up and down of emotions and feelings every day that you are away, but to see that the group of strangers you arrived with are now like your family is something incredible.
And the hardest part?
The hardest part of living such an incredible experience is learning to say goodbye.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this program?
Going on exchange changes you for life, I think that after this experience I learned things that I could not explain. Learning to live alone, living in another country and leaving your routine makes you grow as a person, it teaches you to value and be responsible. And the best of all is that whatever career you study, internationalization will always open your mind in a way that will open many doors for you in the future.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
If you have the opportunity to go and live this experience, don't think about it. You are going to live the best experience of your life.
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Jul 20, 2017 | No category
As part of the business diploma course at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, our students visited Betahaus Barcelonalocated in the neighborhood of Gracia, a coworking company that offers workspaces for entrepreneurs and professionals. Most of them work in the areas of design, information technology and marketing.
Betahaus not only offers the space, but to be part of a community of mutual support, exchange of ideas and networking.
In addition to the visit, there were three presentations by entrepreneurs and executives.
Quim Zurano. Founder of the Quids app that allows to generate contact groups of parents from school groups.
Attiya Abdulghany. Founder of the digital marketing company Oliver + sons which is dedicated to the development of digital business strategies.
Marta Olszewska. Marketing leader of Piktochart which is a digital tools company for the development of infographics.
The students gained a deeper understanding of the start-up process and the close contact with experienced entrepreneurs was motivating.
The visit was the initiative of Anna Zelno, a consultant specialized in the development of multicultural competencies, who was a trainer in the first module.
Jul 14, 2017 | No category
Diego Rodriguez is a student of Automotive Engineering, he obtained the scholarship to study in Brazil.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Yes
Did you think you would go live and study abroad in your first semester?
No
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Curiosity to learn about cultural and labor differences in other countries
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Language (Portuguese)
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Excited and nervous
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
Excellent
What will you miss most about Mexico?
Food and my family
What about the Uni?
My colleagues and teachers
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
Get to know the work and social culture, make new friends, etc.
And the hardest part?
Saying goodbye to my new friends
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this program?
I hope that students will be able to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the university to study abroad.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Yes, definitely! It makes you a better person in every way.
Jul 14, 2017 | No category
Rocío Aguilar estudia Nutrición en la Uni y tuvo la oportunidad de ir a Lleida a realizar la doble titulación internacional. Aquí nos cuenta algo de su experiencia:
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Sí sabía.
¿Creíste que te irías a vivir y estudiar en el extranjero en tu primer semestre? No, nunca lo creí, sí era algo que yo quería, pero lo veía difícil.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, es la primera vez.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Conocer otra cultura, mejorar y obtener más conocimientos en mi área, tener una experiencia fuera de México, tanto en lo personal, como en lo profesional y también conocerme un poco más.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
España es un país que siempre ha impactado en mi vida, siempre me había llamado la atención su cultura, la manera de hablar, sus ciudades, etc. A parte que sabía que en el área de la salud es un país muy desarrollado y en especial Lleida en el área de investigación. Claro, tuvo mucho peso todo esto para yo elegir venir.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Al principio no me la creía, sentía que era un sueño. Pero sentí que podía comenzar una nueva vida, quitando miedos e inseguridades.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
Súper bien, todos han sido muy amables y atentos.
What will you miss most about Mexico?
A mi familia y amigos. También las tradiciones de cada época del año y claro, la comida.
What about the Uni?
Mis compañeros, los profesores, el poder dar consulta en los consultorios, ir al centro nutricional, toda la experiencia universitaria que me ofrecía la universidad.
¿Qué es lo más emocionante que has vivido hasta ahora en esta experiencia? Conocer personas de varias partes del mundo, compartir historias, cultura, gastronomía. Quitarme prejuicios que se dicen de algunos países, etc.
And the hardest part?
El hecho de que en mi familia hayamos pasado por una situación muy difícil y no pudiera estar con ellos físicamente, ni ellos conmigo.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this program?
Como persona espero aumentar mi confianza y seguridad en mí misma, conocerme más y saber mis debilidades y fortalezas. Como profesional aprender más y conocer de cerca el área de investigación en nutrición.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Totalmente recomendadas, creo todo estudiante debería aprovechar y lanzarse a la aventura con alguna de estas oportunidades.
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Jul 14, 2017 | No category
Alexis Arrendondo, estudiante de Comercio Internacional, fue becado para realizar un semestre académico en España y aquí nos cuenta su experiencia.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Claro que sabia de su existencia, por ello decidí realizar mis estudios aquí en la Uni.
Did you think you would go live and study abroad in your first semester?
¡¡¡Jamás!!! Nunca me pasó por la mente la idea en mi primer semestre, pues tenía la emoción de solo ser un chico universitario, en cuanto fueron pasando los años me di cuenta que verdaderamente quería vivir esa experiencia internacional.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Te permite sumar una perspectiva internacional en tu estudio, especialmente si has optado por los negocios.
La cultura de un lugar no está dada simplemente por su música, vestimenta o comida sino por la forma de pensar de su población.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Siempre había sido el país de mis sueños y quería estar en contacto directamente con la cultura, asi como dejar a un lado la rutina y dar un giro de 180º, vivir algo totalmente nuevo y desconocido.
Tambien España destaca en la enseñanza de educación universitaria y especialmente las escuelas de negocios, que frecuentemente figuran en lugares destacados de los rankings mundiales de universidades europeas.
Aparte de eso España se sitúa entre los países más multiculturales de la Unión Europea.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Desde el momento en que salí de casa con una maleta, mi vida se convirtió en una montaña rusa de emociones. Todo me sorprendia, pero es de esperarse, ahora viviría en un lugar totalmente desconocido. Tenía miedo de lo desconocido, y angustia por lo que estaría por venir; pero sin duda valió la pena cada segundo.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
Muy bien, todos muy amables y aunque llegue dos semanas después de que ya habían comenzado las clases me recibieron muy bien.
What did you miss most about Mexico?
¡¡¡¡¡¡LOS TACOS!!!!!! sin duda eso fue lo que mas extrañé pues no habéa tortillas de maíz, ni pastor.
A mi familia; podía seguir en contacto con ella por FaceTime, pero en ocasiones quería abrazarla o contarles directamente lo que me estaba pasando. Pero cuando pisas el aeropuerto sabes lo que te espera y estás dispuesto a sacrificarte.
What about the Uni?
Mis compañeros de clases, ya que aquí el sistema es distinto y tomas clases con un grupo, realizas practicas con otro y tienes unas tutorías grupales con otros, entonces es imposible identificarte con un grupo, no te da tiempo, pues solo los ves una vez por semana.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
Sin duda alguna, lo mas emocionate fue hacer un viaje por capitales europeas, ya que aproveche que estaba en Europa para exprimir todo de ella.
And the hardest part?
Lo mas difícil es estar a miles de kilómetros de tu hogar y saber que tienes que esperar un largo tiempo para regresar. Pero creo que tu marcas el grado de dificultad de las cosas. Cuando estamos pasando por momentos difíciles tendemos a ver todo de color negro, es así como dejamos de visualizar lo bueno que sucede a nuestro alrededor. «Tómate unos minutos para tranquilizarte y pensar en las cosas positivas».
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this program?
Espero crecer personalmente aún mas, esta experiencia me ayudo a ver que existe otro mundo y que es totalmente distinto al que estoy acostumbrado a ver, que no todo es tan sencillo como lo pensaba.
Profesionalmente terminando mi carrera que me gusta mucho quiero regresar a España a realizar un máster.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
100% recomendada y que si tienes la opotunidad no la dejes ir, ya que las oportunidades solo se dan una vez en la vida y tu decides si tomarla o dejarla ir para siempre, es una experiencia inolvidable y si tu que estas leyendo esto tienes alguna duda acerca de mi intercambio o de mi movilidad, con gusto puedo ayudarte que estoy aquí para cualquier duda.
