Our student Dora Olvera from the Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and Advertising, shares with us her international experience at the Universidad international experience at the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellin, Colombia.
When you did you know that there were international programs?
Since the first moment I entered the Uni I was aware of its international mobilization programs. international mobilization, as this is something the University always emphasizes with its new always emphasizes with its incoming students.
When you entered your career did you think you would go to live and study abroad? study abroad?
Yes, I didn't know specifically in which semester of my career I could do it, but I always had a very clear goal of doing an exchange but I was always very clear about my goal of doing an international exchange. I knew that I would achieve it and I did.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico?
No, it was my first time living and studying abroad and I loved it.
What made you motivate you to study in another country?
My constant desire to get to know beyond the conventional in my environment, to learn about different cultures, but even more, to get out of my own learning about different cultures, but even more, to get out of my comfort zone and to be able to challenge myself in different circumstances. comfort zone and to be able to challenge myself in different circumstances, I think was what motivated me the most. what motivated me the most.
Why did you why did you decide to study in that country?
At researching about the University, I saw that it was among the best in the country and also in Latin America, in the area of advertising (which is my area of in the country and also in Latin America, in the area of advertising (which is my area in Mexico), UPB is ranked as #1 in the country. in Mexico) UPB is ranked #1 in the country, and lastly, because many people had a very negative many people had a somewhat negative idea about the country for various reasons, so I wanted to experience it for myself. so I wanted to experience it on my own and now that I did, to be able to now that I did it, I wanted to prove them wrong because it is a great country. great country.
What did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
It was a mixture of a lot of uncertainty, because you arrive to a place foreign to you and everything you knew you knew, but at the same time, with an immense emotion and desire to get to know every corner. every corner.
The having to adapt quickly to a totally different lifestyle was the beginning, but in the end, thanks to the kindness that so the beginning, but in the end, thanks to the kindness that characterizes Colombians, they made me feel at home from the very first moment. Colombians, they made me feel at home from the very first moment, adding that they love Mexicans and made everything flow positively.
How have you been received at the university you attended?
I totally in love with UPB, the sense of belonging they have is very high. sense of belonging is very high. From the very first moment they made us part of their university community. the attention was impeccable from the beginning to the end and without leaving aside all the all the activities they had designed for us as foreigners and for the UPB community in general. and in general for the UPB community, were incredible.
What will you miss you will miss most about Mexico?
Like Mexican, what I missed most was undoubtedly the food, but nothing that you can't get used to. that you can't get used to.
What about the Uni?
From Uni, I think to my friends.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
I am I would not have enough lines to write all the exciting things I experienced, but I think that some of the things that but I think that some of the things that marked me the most were being able to make excellent and lasting friendships friendships from countries and cultures so different from mine, traveling and getting to know the country from north to south, being part of important from north to south of the country, to have been part of important academic projects of the academic projects of the University, as well as being able to have played in the UPB basketball basketball team of UPB, and finally, to have become a totally different person with a different way of life. different person with a very different way of thinking from the one I had before my exchange. I had prior to my exchange.
And the most difficult?
I consider not so much the most difficult as the most challenging thing was learning to live without expectations. in general, adapting in a very short time to a level and educational system somewhat different from the one I was used to. and educational system, and also, to learn to have a very open mind in order to know, respect and be empathetic to know, respect and be empathetic with the culture and way of thinking of the different people I met. of the different people that I met during the 6 months.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this program?
As person, this program has undoubtedly changed me positively, because I consider myself a much more I consider myself a much more humane and empathetic person, with an immense desire to learn more and more about other cultures to know more and more about other cultures and obviously about my own, among many other things. things. On the other hand, this program has undoubtedly provided me with new knowledge applicable in my professional life that you can't get just anywhere, developed my intrapersonal and intercultural communication skills, which I consider very important nowadays. which I consider very important nowadays, and finally, the internationalization program was key to internationalization program was key to foster the growth of my competencies and skills. and skills.
These opportunities offered by Uni, do you recommend them to your colleagues?
The I totally recommend them, I consider it very important that the students of the University take the the initiative to approach and take the time to learn about these programs, and more and, even more, that they apply for them, giving them the opportunity to try new experiences, meet other themselves to try new experiences, meet new people and never stop learning. and never stop learning. I am grateful for this great opportunity.
