The University of Celaya has agreements in more than 20 countries in 4 continents. Korea welcomes our students with great excitement, Liliana Velarde from Digital Design tells us about the emotions she has had this semester studying in the Asian country thanks to the international scholarship program Uni.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
I knew about the existence of the programs, but I wasn't really aware of how they worked and I didn't know that the uni awarded scholarships to some of the students.
Did you think you would go live and study abroad in your first semester?
Not at all, of course it was something I had always wanted, but I didn't know it would become a reality, much less during my college career.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
Never, I have been in Mexico all my life.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Curiosity, the desire for more knowledge, the search for new adventures and challenges, and above all the thirst for a lot of learning.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Starting with Korea being on the other side of Mexico, the intrigue of what it will be like, what it will be like, what the landscape is like, what the people do, with a completely different culture, the challenges involved in not even speaking the same language but still being able to get by... Pure excitement!
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Excitement and wonder at everything I saw, heard and tasted. Intrigue to understand things and situations that were completely bizarre to me. You feel your ideas expand as you are present with your 5 senses in experiences you could never have imagined.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
Everyone has been very kind, and the university has a group of students called "Buddies" who are there for the exchange students in case you need help with anything, they are very friendly and organize trips with the whole community of Buddies and exchange students.
What will you miss most about Mexico?
To my loved ones, the warmth of our people, the weather and of course the food!
What about the Uni?
To my teachers and classmates, and to the uni itself with its large green areas and its cool and relaxed atmosphere.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
To get to know not only the Korean culture, but many other cultures by sharing stories and moments with other exchange students, there are more than 100 exchange students from different countries with whom you can make friends. And also to travel through a country in which everything seems to be a riddle.
And the hardest part?
The weather, when I arrived it was very cold, but even so it is not something that prevents you from going on with your life normally. The good thing is that spring is getting warmer and warmer.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this program?
This program is the best thing that has ever happened to me. The benefits it brings both personally and professionally are many. As a professional you have the opportunity to get to know and observe how other people of different nationalities work and what level they have, you also have the opportunity to demonstrate your ability as a professional, which helps you to be more competent worldwide. It also helps you to perfect your English and learn the basics of Korean.
As a person it changes your perspective on life, you learn to value the good things and look for solutions to the bad things in your country. This experience takes you out of your comfort zone, makes you more creative and proves how capable you are when challenges come your way.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Of course I recommend them, these opportunities are the ones that change your life.