Eréndira Velázquez of Mechatronics Engineering obtained the Uni scholarship to study for a semester in Medellín, Colombia.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Yes, when I went to ask for information I was told about the opportunities to do a semester abroad and that 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?
Since I was a little girl it was one of my dreams and since I started it was a motivation to strive and be one of the lucky ones to have the scholarship, so when I got the news I was thrilled!
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, it was my first time and being in a country I was really looking forward to visiting made it very special.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Mainly to get to know different cultures, the people, their gastronomy, to be able to broaden my personal horizons, to take advantage of the opportunity to be a better person and to increase my self-confidence.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
It was a country that called my attention since I was 15 years old and when I saw the call I did not hesitate for a minute to choose Colombia.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
At first I did not believe it, I had mixed feelings, I felt nervous and at the same time very happy but mainly proud to be in that country, with an open mind and with very high expectations.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
I was received very well, with open arms, the teachers and classmates were very attentive to me and made me feel at home.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
What I miss most about Mexico is my family, the food and the spicy food. What I miss most about UNI is being able to be an on-site mentor in the STEM program and having the opportunity to share my knowledge with the girls.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
Every day is exciting, because you have different experiences every day, but the most exciting thing is the group of friends I made from different countries, because with them I have had very good experiences and two great Colombian friends because every time we see each other we learn new things about our countries.
And the hardest part?
The most difficult thing is to adapt to the change of currency because they use larger figures than I am used to and the terms that are usually used on a daily basis.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
To be able to apply the knowledge acquired in my internship, to use their teamwork methods, the tools they use for deliverables and to be able to add in my resume that I did a semester abroad. Also, to have my skills better developed.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Of course, it is an incredible experience because you meet people from different countries and it helps you grow as a person and professionally, so if you have the opportunity, take advantage of it to the fullest. Thanks for your support!