Our student David Velázquez, from the Communication and Audiovisual Media degree program, shares with us the experience he lived during his stay at the University of Oviedo, Spain.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
I was unaware of the internationalization programs until before entering the career, it was in my first semester when we were introduced to the internationalization opportunities offered by UNI.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
The possibility crossed my mind when I first heard about the experiences of the students who traveled before me, but frankly it seemed like a distant dream.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, this is the first time I am out of the country.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
The curiosity to know something new, to continue my studies using another approach, to meet new people and cultures; to be able to travel the continent aboard a train and to add tools and possibilities in my development while I know.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Choosing the country was not difficult, I had always wanted to know Spain and travel around Europe. The hard part was choosing a university since there were 3 universities offered for CMA; in the end Oviedo was my first choice because of the academic program offered, and fortunately I was accepted.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
At first I couldn't believe it, everything was so new, but I was excited.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
They gave me a warm welcome, when I arrived in Oviedo, the university brings you closer to the Erasmus (which is an EU student exchange program), they made sure to make me feel welcome, they also do a lot of activities so you can socialize with other exchange students.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
I miss my family, my friends, my teachers, and also how easy the exams were there (believe me, they are much harder here).
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
I can say that the greatest emotion has been falling in love and living with my partner, but I also find great satisfaction in having directed my studies in another current of thought. I had the opportunity to study within the Faculty of Philosophy and take a semester of Art History and Music. I really loved taking these classes, I think this will help strengthen the pillars of my professional and personal future.
And the hardest part?
You could say it was the Covid, isolation in a foreign country is hard. Besides, it was not a very good idea for me to take subjects in the last semesters of a different career than mine.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
As a person I think it has already changed me, leaving your country and seeing things from outside, listening to other cultures and exchanging ideas really changes your perspective. Professionally it also helped me to find new perspectives, I hope this can lead me to a better professional development.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Totally, I believe and hope that all UNI students (or at least most of them) can have this kind of experience. I recommend you to be aware of the different calls for internationalization and do your best to meet the requirements. I was irregular, and yes, it was difficult, but in the end it was worth it.
Our student María Fernanda Paz from the Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, shares with us the experience of her international stay at the Faculty of Nutrition and Dietetics of the University of Lleida, Spain.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Yes, since UNI is very well known for this, in fact, it was one of the reasons why I decided to study at the University of Celaya.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
It was not something I had clear, the reality is that I saw it as a dream, however, I always tried hard to do it; but I have to say that when I applied for the call my parents were not aware of it and when I was selected to do my international stay I had to talk to them, but I never doubted that they would support me.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, this was my first experience outside my country.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
I can say that I had many motivations, I wanted to grow as a person, I have always lived with my parents so I wanted to live the experience of doing it alone and what better way to do it in another country, academically I wanted to expand my knowledge, I loved the idea of learning about other cultures.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
In my career we had three options, but for me Spain was always my only option, it was my dream country, I liked its architecture, its accent, the lifestyle, the university, knowing that the language would not be a problem since Spanish was spoken or at least I thought so since in Lleida practically everything is in Catalan, which is now a language that I love and I want to continue learning. Besides, it is another continent so life is totally different and the nutritional education is very different from ours.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Endless emotions, I was always super excited, but I traveled alone so the nervousness started from the moment I had to board, flying for 12 hours, arriving at an airport that is huge, El Prat, not knowing what to do and no one waiting for me was super difficult, arriving in Lleida I fell in love with the city, it was hard to get used to the schedule, the climate that is super radical, but it is a process that I had to live and one more learning.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
Super good in all aspects, all the directors and teachers have been super understanding with me, there is one person that I have to mention because I will always carry with me, Enric, a guy, also a student of nutrition, who has introduced me to my career director, I was lost the first day and he has helped me to do everything related to my load of subjects, He has explained me everything about the university and has also shown me the whole city, he is a friend that I will always cherish, the university is super nice, I have taken subjects with the three courses so I have had many classmates and I have to thank them all for their support, they have been super nice and have received me as one of them.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
I can say almost everything, my family, who I count the days to see and hug, my friends, my teachers, my gym, my patients, food which is something I have done quite a bit here and now value quite a bit, my university in general.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
I can not choose something specific but my first trip was to Barcelona, it was a dream for me to know the city and go to Camp Nou, Barcelona's stadium, when I entered I felt one of the best feelings of my life, but also to live and meet many cultures, luckily I have had to live with an Italian, Brazilians (now I understand and speak a little Portuguese), Mexicans, Colombians and I have met people from all over the world, the unforgettable parties of erasmus, more than friends I take brothers from this experience, for all this has been so exciting.
And the hardest part?
The first has been the surprise that I have taken at the university to know that they would not speak to me in Spanish, but that all my classes would be in Catalan, it has been difficult because I did not understand anything so studying has been complicated at the beginning, but now I understand and I can speak some Catalan.
And second, the covid-19 situation has been very complicated, we saw in the news all about this, but we never imagined that it would come to us; the most difficult thing about this is that in Spain everything has been very drastic, we were in a normal day and we are warned that classes are suspended, that we enter in a state of alarm and that we can not leave anymore, it has been just over two months in which the situation was uncertain, where we saw how many erasmus returned to their countries, see our travel plans canceled but good bad things, it is an experience and a lot of learning.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
My mentality has changed a lot, I think that as a person I have grown too much, I am no longer afraid to travel, live or anything I have to do alone, in my career I have broadened my horizons, now I value my family more, so I expect a lot from myself, I want to keep looking for opportunities because there are many! And I want to be prepared.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
I say to all Uni students: if you have the opportunity to do an international stay, do not hesitate, fight for it, it is an experience that will mark you in your life and you will not want it to end. Take advantage of the great opportunity that our University offers us.
Our student José Julián Villaseñor, Industrial Engineering Administrator, shares with us the international experience he lived during his stay at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
I entered the University of Celaya because of the career in which I am developing, in addition to the reputation that the university has, but I was not so aware of the academic mobility plans abroad that they have.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
No, because before my plans were to finish my degree and get a job in a company, and thanks to the language program that the university has and my exchange in Brazil, I am broadening my professional horizons, and improving the way I communicate with people even if it is in another language.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, this is my first time living and studying abroad, but I will try hard not to make it the only time.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
To get out of my zone of conformity and experience the expectations and way of living within the customs and cultures of another country, and to strengthen different aspects of my professional and personal life, as well as my skills.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Because the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul has very good engineering curricula to offer to the student community, and also as a recommendation of the University of Celaya for my curriculum.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
At first I felt very excited and proud of myself, my family and my career, for having managed to get to the place where I am and that my way of doing things resulted in the achievement of being part of this exchange, from then on, most of the time I was always positive and cheerful for the upcoming situations in Brazil.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
From the moment we arrived for the first time, the university has always been in constant communication with all the intercampers, from the meetings to inform the school aspects, as well as to give us a warm welcome to all of us and their help for the situations that have arisen during our stay, in a very friendly manner and always with the doors open for any questions or problems we might have.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
What I miss most about Mexico is living with my family and friends, and the gastronomic diversity that we Mexicans have. What I miss most about La UNI is the kind of coexistence and the university atmosphere that usually exists, and it has a lot to do with some difficulties that I occasionally have when communicating and the lack of university atmosphere that I have had during my stay at PUCRS.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
Due to the exchange date, we were able to be present at the Carnival in Brazil, which is supposed to be one of the biggest in the world and we enjoyed it so much that we made a second trip to Florianopolis where we were able to appreciate even more the nature that this beautiful island has to offer.
And the hardest part?
Seeing the causes that we have in Brazil thanks to the quarantine, since I saw how some people lost their jobs and wondered what they were going to do until the quarantine ended, many more unemployed people looking for decent work in the streets, and in a way that has affected us all, the good thing was that I am accompanied by friends who make the weight of the quarantine lighter.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
As a person I hope to be able to take the experiences I have had while I have been fending for myself in a new environment for me, in order to prepare myself better in the future; as a professional I want to continue preparing myself to continue having a career as I have had so far and thanks to the new perspectives I am acquiring, I can know better important points in which I believe I can be efficient for my career and for my community.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Of course I recommend them to my colleagues, as these kinds of opportunities make you have the kind of life-changing discoveries, and it's also very likely to improve your perception in terms of thinking, what would things be like if...?
And that for me is what I'm thankful to have gotten this opportunity.
Nuestra alumna Mariana Enriquez, de la Lic. en Psicología, nos comparte la experiencia de su estancia internacional en la Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellin, Colombia.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Si, fue una de las razones por las que decidí entrar a la escuela.
Cuando entraste a tu carrera, ¿creíste que te irías a vivir y estudiar en el extranjero? Siempre fue una meta, no tenía claro en donde o como pero definitivamente era algo que buscaba hacer en algún momento.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No por tanto tiempo, es la primera vez que salgo de México por una estancia larga.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Conocer nuevas culturas, formas de pensar, enriquecer mis estudios, nuevos amigos y experiencias.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Colombia tiene muchas cosas interesantes, su historia me parece fascinante y los paisajes que tiene son increíbles. La escuela también fue un factor importante, tiene muy buenos maestros, materias e instalaciones.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Muchos nervios, llegar a un lugar nuevo nunca es fácil, pero desde el primer día supe que iba a ser un gran semestre.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
Muy bien, fueron todos muy atentos y serviciales, procurando que entendiéramos todo y brindarnos las herramientas necesarias para nuestro semestre.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
Mi familia y maestros.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
Vivir en cuarentena fue algo muy interesante, a pesar de estar en casa, fue muy entretenido, al vivir con roomies hizo que fuera toda una aventura cada día.
And the hardest part?
Estar lejos de mi familia en tiempos tan extraños, aunque estaba muy bien y entretenida, una parte de mí quería estar en casa.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
Esta experiencia me hizo crecer mucho en ambos ámbitos, desarrollé competencias que no tenía como profesional, enfrentándome a retos en clases o proyectos, de igual forma como persona aprendí más sobre mí y de lo que soy capaz. Sin duda después de eso sé que puedo llegar aún más lejos y seguir luchando por mis sueños.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
¡Claro! Es una oportunidad que no siempre se puede tener, hay que aprovechar lo que nos brinda nuestra universidad al máximo y vivir todas las experiencias posibles. No se van a arrepentir.
Our student Erika Jazmín Cortez, from the Culinary Arts program, won a Uni scholarship thanks to her effort and dedication, with the opportunity to stay at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Yes, when I was looking for my options they explained to me that at the university in Celaya they had many scholarship opportunities of all kinds and that they made a lot of use of the scholarships that the State of Guanajuato also offers.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
Honestly no, it was something that terrified me because it was something completely different, besides I imagined that it was a very complicated procedure.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, it is the first time I leave the country and to be honest I am having a great experience.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Getting out of your comfort zone is something very complicated, so that's what motivated me to improve myself personally and professionally, to make a change in my life for the better.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
I chose Brazil because since high school I had a great desire to know its festivities, especially the carnival. Also its gastronomy is very interesting and I wanted to learn the language, which is Portuguese.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
I felt a lot of fear since arriving to a completely different place is difficult, I didn't speak the language and communicating was complicated even though Spanish is a bit similar to Portuguese. But it's not all bad, I also felt very excited and happy to experience new things and learn more.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
I was surprised how all the professors and mobility students receive you with much affection and enthusiasm, they give you a lot of support in anything you need, whether it is paperwork or shopping. I am very grateful to the University for the welcome they gave us.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
From Mexico it would be my family, the weather, festivities and above all the food because there are no two like ours. From the university to my teachers and friends, I think also the way of evaluating.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
Undoubtedly it is to have met many new people and create bonds of friendship, also tourism is very good, but it is always complemented by good people.
And the hardest part?
Being away from my family would be the most difficult thing, apart from the situation that we live in COVID-19 this complicated my stay here in Brazil but being far from home. Although I am grateful for the support that PUCRS University gave me.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
I am no longer afraid to experience new things, not to stay in a comfort zone. I want this experience to help me grow more in my professional field since I know a different gastronomic culture, that this will be an impulse to continue learning and traveling more.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
I recommend it 100%, this is an experience that no one should tell you about, you should live it. If you have the opportunity and the support of an institution you must make the most of it, what better time than now?
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!
