María José was awarded the Uni scholarship to study one semester of her degree in International Commerce at the Universidad Mayor de Chile.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Yes, that was the first information I was told, that upon entering Uni I had the opportunity to study abroad through their different international programs.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
I had the idea of doing it at some stage in my life.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, I had never lived or studied outside of Mexico.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Expanding my knowledge and applying it to my work and personal life when I return to Mexico.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Because nowadays Chile has positioned itself as one of the first key countries to learn aspects of business, it is also ranked as one of the best in terms of education, plus it has incredible landscapes.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
A lot of excitement because I was about to live new experiences in many aspects of my life, nerves to know what was to come and nostalgia because you are leaving many people and things behind in Mexico.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
Incredibly well, the international relations team at UMayor is extremely friendly, they help you in everything they can, they are attentive to you in many aspects.
What will you miss most about Mexico?
Without a doubt what I miss the most is my family, all the people close to me, the food is also something I miss a lot from Mexico.
What about the Uni?
I think what I miss the most about UNI is the good organization they have, at UNI all or most of the activities planned for the semester they let you know from the beginning, and also that the career directors are very close to you.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
I think the most exciting thing is to get to know the culture, the way of living, everything that is in another country because you see the different way, they have other customs and one as a person has to adapt and it is very exciting to live it and to be learning different things, even the way of speaking, the idioms... everything really.
And the hardest part?
Definitely getting out of your comfort zone, since you have to leave many comforts you are used to and start living in a different way; this undoubtedly...strengthens our character.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this program?
As a person, they help you grow in many aspects, make you more independent, value more what you have within reach, and as a professional, they broaden your knowledge from the point of view of different countries, not only the one where you go on exchange, but also the ones where the people you interact with belong and are in the same area as you.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Of course I do! I recommend that all my Uni classmates apply to any international scholarship offered by the school, the point is to see the world in a more global way and live any international experience possible.