Elena Cano of Industrial Administrative Engineering obtained an international scholarship to study at the Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil.
When you entered Uni, did you know there were international programs?
Yes, I was already aware because I knew people who had gone on exchange with UNI and we received a lot of support to make this possible.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
I did believe that I was going to study and live abroad for the most part, which is why I decided to study at the University of Celaya.
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?
The great opportunities you can get by having a semester studied abroad on your resume, as well as speaking an extra language.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
I decided to study in Brazil because it is one of the strongest countries in engineering and because PUCRS University is one of the best.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
I was excited about all the new things I was going to experience studying here.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
I was received in the best possible way, they were always very attentive and were at my disposal in case I had a question or something they could help me with.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
What I miss most about Mexico is the food, I miss our seasoning. Here in Brazil the food is not spicy at all and it's always the same, so it becomes very repetitive and you get tired of it.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
The most exciting thing I have experienced is the university experience because it is very different from what I know in Mexico, the teachers are perfectly prepared and the educational system is very good.
And the hardest part?
The most difficult thing is to adapt to a new place with a new culture and a different language.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
I hope to continue using everything I learned this semester to keep growing and reach my goals.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
I highly recommend these experiences, but I also recommend preparing yourself beforehand, being very well informed about what is involved in going to live abroad for a semester.