The project "Strengthening the Digital Educational Model of FIMPES Universities" has brought together eleven of the most prestigious universities in Mexico, including the University of Celaya, to design an educational model according to mega trends, promoting continuous improvement, relevance and access to higher education based on best practices, technology and global trends with the support of a group of international experts.
The participation in this innovative model project joins 10 other universities in the country and has strategic allies such as EmTech Institute and Santander Universities.
In the first phase, the project contemplates the creation of five digital/hybrid courses with best practices worldwide, more than 60 professors and specialists involved in the creation of academic content and the possibility that more than 100 universities use the courses in digital platform, making the necessary adaptations based on the reality of higher education and the market in Mexico.
The digital/hybrid courses will address Digital Skills, Critical Thinking, Mathematics, Study Habits and Oral and Written Communication.
The University of Celaya joins advanced initiatives and reinvents itself to continue offering the academic quality of its programs and fulfilling its commitment to society.
The University of Celaya is ranked among the best universities in our country for its academic level, enrollment and graduates, national and international recognition, the professional training of its faculty and its recognized prestige, according to Tops Mexico.[i]a digital and print publication, which compares 45 undergraduate programs based on the five variables listed above.
This year 2021 the academic programs of the Institution distinguished were: Administration, Medicine, Marketing, Nutrition, Psychology, Communication and Law; thus allowing the University of Celaya to position itself among the highest quality institutions in Higher Education and the most committed to Mexico.
The measurement process in the ranking contemplates the application of surveys both to companies and public and private institutions, as well as to opinion leaders, political scientists, marketers, professors, doctors and communicologists of our country to define the best 200 universities in Mexico among a universe of more than 5000 institutions (SEP, 2019).
This positioning as a first class institution has been achieved by being very clear about the mission, redesigning the vision based on the mega trends and challenges, as well as thanks to the strong commitment of the entire University team, aware that the most important thing is the life and career plan of the students for the benefit of the common good.
Fernanda Fragoso, estudiante de Diseño Digital, nos cuenta su experiencia en el semestre internacional que realizó en Corea del Sur.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Sí, de hecho, yo elegí estudiar en la Universidad de Celaya después de hacer una búsqueda en internet acerca de universidades con programas internacionales, ya que mi sueño siempre había sido ir a Corea del Sur, por lo que la Uni fue la mejor opción para cumplirlo.
Cuándo entraste a tu carrera ¿Creíste que te irías a vivir y estudiar en el extranjero?
Era mi principal objetivo, por supuesto que estudiar Diseño es algo que me encanta y a lo que quiero dedicarme en un futuro, pero mi mayor motivación era lograr irme al extranjero, así que definitivamente me creía capaz de lograrlo y me esforcé por ello.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, ésta fue mi primera vez saliendo, viviendo y estudiando fuera del país.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Definitivamente esa sería mi mamá y yo misma. Quería enorgullecer a mi mamá y agradecer sus esfuerzos durante tantos años yéndome al país de mis sueños. Cada día que me apoyaba y motivaba, yo me esforzaba más para no fallar en calificaciones y responsabilidades de la escuela. Quería conocer más allá de mi país, otra cultura, otras tradiciones totalmente diferentes a las que estaba acostumbrada, por lo que, también me mantenía motivándome para poder ir a otro país.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Desde hace 10 años, conocí por primera vez la música de Corea del Sur; en ese entonces no era tan popular como lo es ahora en México, pero supe que tenían un estilo diferente, un “algo” que quería conocer más; de esa manera, comencé a no solo enamorarme de la música, sino del país, de la educación, costumbres y en general, de la cultura. Al final de la secundaria me metí en la cabeza que era el país al que quería ir de sí o sí; se convirtió en la meta a la cual quería llegar.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Miedo y emoción. Yo había visto que muchos compañeros y amigos viajaban sin ningún problema y regresaban con maravillosas historias que contar; sin embargo, para mí el dejar el país por primera vez, haciendo todo yo sola, sin la ayuda siquiera del internet en cuanto pisé Corea, fue realmente escalofriante. Aun así, tuve mucho apoyo desde el aeropuerto y después en la Universidad de Hallym, por lo que cada día me llenaba más de emoción que de nerviosismo.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
Todos han sido muy amables; desde el coordinador, los maestros, los estudiantes, mis compañeros de residencias, hasta la señora de la limpieza. Si tengo cualquier duda de cualquier asunto, siempre hay alguien que me puede ayudar o canalizar con quien podía otorgarme información. Desde un inicio me mandaron correos con instrucciones y detalles que realmente me ayudaron para mi estadía en Corea, lo cual me facilitó muchas cosas.
¿Qué es lo que más extrañaste de México y de la UNI?
Podría decir que en un inicio no extrañaba la comida, porque Corea del Sur tiene una cantidad impresionante de comida nueva por probar; sin embargo, el último mes vaya que extrañé la sazón única de México.
De la Uni extrañé su tamaño, y lo sé, suena extraño, pero es la verdad. Hallym tiene un edificio para cada cosa que quieras realizar y todo está a grandes distancias, y a pesar de que me gusta caminar, a veces era muy agotador tener que recoger, no sé, un recibo, en una oficina que se encontraba en un 5to piso, para luego ir a otro edificio para pagar, hasta el otro lado de la escuela (la cual está ubicada en una montaña, por lo que se imaginarán que todo era subidas y bajadas).
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
Cada detalle fue emocionante. Desde conocer personas de otros países y aprender lo básico de no solo coreano, sino de ruso, francés, alemán, etc. Llegaba el punto que ya no recordaba el español porque cada día hablaba más inglés que mi propio idioma. Viajar por tren fue otra cosa totalmente nueva para mí, porque nunca lo había usado ni en México. Celebrar mi cumpleaños en Corea también fue espectacular, porque estuve rodeada de nuevas amistades que nunca imaginé tener. Así como también el ver por primera vez la nieve caer y jugar a la guerra de “bolas de nieve”. En conclusión, todo fue EMOCIONANTE.
And the hardest part?
El idioma. A pesar de que llevaba una materia de Básico Coreano, me costó trabajo aprender a decir oraciones largas o nombres de lugares a los que quería ir y que el taxista no me entendía. Muchos nos apoyábamos con el Traductor si queríamos preguntar por algo en las tiendas, para ir hacia un lugar en específico o por si alguien nos decía algo.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
Tanto personal como profesional, espero regresar con más confianza en mí y sin miedo a expresarme, no porque no pudiera en México, sino porque los nervios me invadían con solo pensar en hacer una presentación frente a mi clase o dirigirme a una persona que no conocía; y en Corea cada día tenía que hablar en inglés enfrente de muchas personas desconocidas para hacer nuevos amigos o para presentar un examen. Quiero ser capaz de dirigirme con mis clientes con mayor seguridad, o decirle a mi jefe que sin problema puedo hablar en inglés y viajar al extranjero por trabajo; así que espero ser más segura, sin el temor de ser yo misma.
¿Estas oportunidades que da la Uni ¿las recomiendas a tus compañeros?
Por supuesto. Es una aventura que es sin duda magnífica, algo que todo estudiante debería vivir al menos una vez. Mi consejo es, si quieres ir a alguno de los países que la UNI te ofrece, estudia mucho, esfuérzate cada día y no dejes nada para después, porque cada herramienta, cada recomendación y soporte que te dan los maestros y en general la UNI, te ayuda para este momento, para tener la seguridad que a pesar de que te podrías ir hasta el otro lado del mundo, sabes que tendrás los conocimientos y los cimientos que te dieron en la Universidad de Celaya.
In order to maintain the highest standards of academic quality and ensure the safety of teachers, students and their families, the University of Celaya has made a significant investment in technological infrastructure to convert its classrooms into Hybrid Immersive Classrooms where a system of 4K smart cameras, high fidelity microphones and interactive screens within a technological platform with teaching materials and first class technical support will allow students to participate in person or virtually with the same interaction between peers and teachers as if they were in a normal classroom.
This model will be implemented at all educational levels from Uniamerican International School, Prepa Uni and Universidad de Celaya, continuing 100% with the essence of integral education, learning through projects and challenges, research, and collaborative work with the highest standards.
With the above, students and their parents will be able to choose between the face-to-face and virtual models, preserving their safety at all times and maintaining an organized, structured and efficient learning experience in which students feel included, listened to, accompanied and, above all, motivated by interacting in a more natural way.
With this, the Institution reinforces its regional leadership through a global vision and innovative solutions to current challenges.
The vaccine gives an important protection to the immune system against the virus, you can still get infected, but the risk of becoming seriously ill is almost zero. When a vaccine is 95% effective like the Pfizer/BioNTech one, it means that 95% of people will not get sick, the other 5% maybe, but it will be very rare that they will be hospitalized.
2. Can I transmit the virus?
If you are infected the vaccine will not stop transmission completely, but it will decrease the amount of virus you spread through your mouth and nose, as well as the length of time you can spread it, making you less infectious overall. If the amount of virus in your body is very low the transmission risk is almost zero. Although scientists have not yet determined how low that amount should be. So vaccinated people should continue to wear a mask and keep their social distance.
3. Are we protected against new variants?
The vaccine may protect against new variants, but not completely. The Oxford/AstraSeneca vaccine protects up to 75% from severe infections of the new variant, and pharmaceutical companies are already working on improvements to the vaccines to take into account new strains that may appear. However, the current vaccines should reduce cases of severe disease and deaths in the short term, thus reducing the chances of mutation.
3 key questions about the COVID-19 vaccine - answered.
In the last decade we have seen in Mexico a growth of new provisions that bring, in themselves, elements of self-regulation, such as the Protection of Personal Data, the law of prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorism, the law of economic competition, the Anticorruption law, the criminal liability of the legal person, Rule 035, among other provisions that are in the Treaty between Mexico, United States and Canada (T-MEC) that recently entered into force.
This treaty contains several provisions that are part of compliance: labor, regional content, environmental, intellectual property, anti-corruption, among many others, as well as other new laws that are currently being discussed or are in the pipeline, such as the General Law on Corporate Responsibility and Corporate Due Diligence, known as the Law on Business and Human Rights.
Under this new dynamic, trained professionals with knowledge of regulations, risk analysis and methodology are required to implement, put into practice and improve compliance systems.
Undoubtedly, these professional profiles are already in high demand in several countries due to the need and belief that the best companies are those that are sustainable over time with an adequate management of compliance with their regulatory obligations.
At the University of Celaya we are committed to generate programs of academic and practical value for the industry, and with the Diploma in Compliance for the Automotive Industry we are contributing to this new generation of professionals to one of the most important areas of our country and a great pillar of the economy, both in the assembly of light and heavy vehicles and in the auto parts industry, which has influence in several countries.
The Diploma in Compliance for the Automotive Industry offered by the University of Celaya has the following distinctive elements:
Preventive compliance with the laws, agreements and commitments of the companies in the sector is essential for sustainable companies.
The Diploma in Compliance offers the following highlights:
The best national and international professors in the field teach classes; they are professors from Spain, Colombia and Chile.
At the national level, experts in each of the legal areas participate, from the participation of corporate governance, anti-corruption issues, corporate criminal liability, tax issues, foreign trade, prevention of money laundering, to health and hygiene, labor, environmental issues, among others.
It is the first program where it is remarkable that legal directors of automakers, or of groups of auto parts companies, speak about their knowledge and experience.
It is the first program in Mexico recognized by the Word Compliance Association (WCA) in terms of content valid for international certification as a Compliance Officer.
We invite you to register for the next 2021 edition, which will open on April 9.
MORE INFORMATION
For further information, please write to ventas@udec.edu.mx or send a WhatsApp message to 461-124-9539.
Eduardo Fabián Salazar Mendozade Lic. Diseño Digital nos cuenta como vivió su estancia internacional en Hallym University, Corea del Sur.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Cuando entré a la Universidad de Celaya sabía que podía irme de intercambio a estudiar, sin embargo, era algo que no llamaba del todo mi atención y que incluso llegó a parecer imposible el poder obtener una beca para ir al extranjero.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad? Tenía conocimiento de varios lugares a los que podría estudiar en el extranjero, entre ellos los lugares que más me llamaban la atención era Corea del Sur, seguido de Alemania y China, pero como había mencionado, no era algo que estaba en mis planes. Lo importante aquí es que tus objetivos cambian con el paso del tiempo. Se presentan ciertas necesidades y ambiciones que van tomando gran importancia para un mismo.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before? Fue la primera vez que salí de México, lo cual fue más emocionante para mí. El hecho de abordar un avión y trasladarme a otra parte del mundo era algo que sin duda comenzaría por ser una experiencia inolvidable.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Es un poco extraño de explicar. No tenía planeado estudiar al extranjero, pero me vino la idea cuando notaba a algunos de mis compañeros regresaban de intercambio con un cambio, en los cuales destaca mucho el cambio de actitud y la autoconfianza. Otro punto importante también es que, como individual, tengo mis ambiciones y una de ellas es mostrar al mundo de lo que puedo ser capaz de hacer, lo cual esto me ayudaría a tomar referencias en un espacio distinto, tal como es en el diseño, y así enriquecer mis técnicas como diseñador gráfico. Por lo que pude experimentar es que Corea del Sur tiene muchos estilos distintos en el diseño gráfico, lo cual me ayuda bastante en el ámbito profesional.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Para ser sincero, Corea del Sur era uno de los países que quería visitar desde que tenía 15 años. Quería experimentar su cultura pues es algo que nos aporta mucho y nos hace ver las cosas de un modo distinto. Una cosa que me llamó demasiado mi atención fue lo exigentes que son ellos en el estudio y en el querer ser mejores cada día para sí mismos y para su nación. El mundo se mira de otra manera una vez que decides experimentar algo distinto.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Al llegar ahí no lo podía creer, realmente estaba en Corea del Sur. Fue algo que no pude procesar muy bien los primeros días, pero el hecho de haber sabido que estaba en otro país lo primero que se me vino a la mente es ¿Y ahora qué? ¿Qué es lo que voy a hacer? ¿Qué va a cambiar de mí una vez que termine esta experiencia? Hay muchas preguntas que uno se pregunta, pero el pensar demasiado es muy agotador, pues el empezar a vivir de una forma distinta, el salir de tu zona de confort es lo que te hace crecer desde adentro y lo que permite mostrarte de distinta forma hacia el mundo.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
Me sentí muy bien recibido en Hallym University. En general todos nos recibieron bien, a pesar de la situación con el COVID-19 siempre hubo comunicación de una forma u otra. Todos hablamos bien con todos y nos llevamos bien con todos.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
Lo que más extrañaría de la UNI sería a mis compañeros y maestros. Las actividades que se realizarían, así como el Creative Day, etc. De México a mi familia, a mis amigos y la comida por supuesto.
¿Quées lo más emocionante que has vivido hasta ahora en esta experiencia?
Todo ha sido emocionante, sin importar que se haya presentado la situación actual, se presentó la oportunidad de aprender de un país de primer mundo cómo maneja la situación en una pandemia. El conocer nuevos caminos, comer diferentes cosas, conocer nuevas personas es algo que hace de esta experiencia algo inolvidable.
And the hardest part?
Una cosa que fue difícil de aceptar fue que no viviríamos las mismas experiencias que nuestros compañeros habían experimentado años atrás, pues nos tocó presentarnos enfrente de una situación difícil, pero cada quién vive diferente las cosas y esta vez nos tocó vivirlas de una forma limitada, donde la responsabilidad tenía que estar presente antes que cualquier otra cosa.
El adaptarse a la forma en la que las clases se tomarían en línea sería algo diferente, incluso la forma en que tendrías que vivir el día a día en un país distinto, donde tendrías que encontrar la manera de acomodar tus tiempos. Por último pero no menos importante, el tener que despedirte de tus compañeros con quienes compartiste momentos durante un semestre y que siempre estuvieron para orientarte y conocerte, es un sentimiento muy duro, sobre todo cuando te encariñas bastante, pero es parte de y estos sentimientos son los que nos hace humanos.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
Como persona esto cambiará mi perspectiva del mundo. Esto me ayudará a tener una mejor actitud a varias cosas, crecerá mi confianza; creceré como persona. En el ámbito profesional esto me ayudará a tomar mejores decisiones, acomodar tiempos a la hora de realizar trabajos, desarrollar mis habilidades para comunicarme y la confianza para mostrar al mundo lo que puedo hacer.
Estas oportunidades que da la UNI ¿las recomiendas a tus compañeros?
Sin duda es algo que a mis compañeros les recomendaría sin dudarlo. Es una experiencia llena de vivencias, de enseñanzas y muchos aprendizajes, donde puedes pasar más tiempo contigo y conocer más de ti, donde te verás en situaciones complicadas y aprenderás a tomar decisiones importantes. Yo personalmente quiero agradecer a mis padres quienes me estuvieron apoyando durante toda esta gran experiencia, y a la UNI también, por brindar estas oportunidades a todos sus estudiantes. ¡Gracias!
Our Digital Design student Mariel Amador, shares with us the experience she lived during her international stay at Hallym University, South Korea.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Not really, unlike some of my classmates I had no idea about the possibility of going abroad to study, I found out one or two semesters later.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
No, I made the decision to study abroad overnight to be honest. My friends who had previously gone on an exchange program told me all about the great experience and thanks to that I made the decision to apply for the scholarships without any expectation of winning, I just wanted to give it a try and leave it to fate.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, it was my first time studying abroad.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
As I mentioned before, my friends told me about all the experiences they had lived, what it was like to be independent for a while, how getting to know new food, new people and new cultures changed your perspective on life, all of that motivated me a lot and made me want to live it and not have anyone tell me what it was like.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, my first choice was not Korea, however, I was totally surprised, I am grateful that Korea was the final destination because I never in my life imagined being in a place in Asia, I did not see it in my life possibilities and without a doubt its culture changed me as a person in a better way.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Because of COVID-19 I was a bit scared because I made the decision to leave just when everything was starting and it was a new virus, something that nobody knew about, and what we knew were only statistics and information through television.
When I arrived in Korea at first I did not process it, everything was very strange, until a week later I realized that I was no longer in Mexico, that I was no longer eating the same food I had eaten all my life and that hardly anyone would understand me in Spanish. I was scared, but at the same time excited because I didn't know what the next four months would bring.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
We were received very well, they explained to us that this was going to be a different semester because of everything that was happening because of COVID-19, they told us that this semester we were going to be very few exchange students, that whatever we needed they would support us, they gave us four welcome masks and they gave us the prevention instructions that the government had implemented.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
What I missed most was my family and friends. Classes were online all semester so I partly missed having face-to-face classes. Food was not a problem for me, I knew that I would only eat Korean food for four months and that I would eventually go back to eating Mexican food, besides, in Korea it is customary to eat spicy food so I felt a little bit at home, however, from time to time I did feel like eating tortillas with my food.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
I think the best of all was getting out of my comfort zone, opening myself to new experiences and meeting people that you never imagined meeting in your life and that totally change your life. The people I met in Korea definitely taught me to be a better person, they helped me a lot in a process of acceptance with myself and also taught me many things that I had no knowledge of.
Getting to know new places with different architecture than the one you are used to and meeting new food, new people is always an indescribable experience.
And the hardest part?
The hardest thing was to arrive with high expectations. As I mentioned before, my friends told me many things about the exchange programs, they told us that you met many people, visited many places and so on, however, because of the virus, everything was very limited, it was not a normal semester, many places were closed, we were few exchange students, but despite everything I think I did everything in my hands and my possibilities to enjoy it to the fullest, without a doubt, from all this I learned that everyone lives their experiences differently and it depends a lot on yourself whether you enjoy it or not.
Also, one of the difficult things that nobody tells you about the exchanges is that you get very attached to the people you meet, you live with them for a semester of your life, you get used to them and when the end of the semester comes, you say goodbye and you don't know for sure if you will meet them again in the future.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
This experience was completely different from what my colleagues told me because of the virus, but I am grateful because thanks to this I was able to realize how Korea handled things and I realized how in Mexico we need to learn a lot from all the order and security that exists in Korea.
As I mentioned, Korea changed my life completely, I met many places, food, and people that I never imagined I would meet, I lived many experiences that made me realize that everything is possible and that you just need to think positive once in a while.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
I definitely recommend it, it is one of those experiences that you prefer to live them rather than have someone else tell you about them. You don't know what it's like on the other side of the world until you go and experience it for yourself.
I am especially grateful to my parents for supporting me throughout this trip and of course I thank UNI for giving me the opportunity to live this beautiful experience that I carry in my heart.
Nuestro alumno Luis Fernando Chávez, de la Lic. en Diseño Digital, tuvo la oportunidad de realizar una estancia con beca internacional en la Universidad DHBW (Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University), en Ravensburg, Alemania.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Sí, mi hermana estudiaba en la UNI y me comento que ella se fue a Corea, así que decidí intentar lo mismo.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
No para nada, de echo les comenté a mis amigos y familiares que sería casi imposible para mí.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, fue mi primera vez fuera del país.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Conocer otras culturas, comida, clima, las personas, la manera en la que interactúan y por otra parte el estudio, comparar en que tanto cambiamos respecto a la escuela.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Un país más lejano era lo que buscaba, ya que al ser más lejos es más difícil el poder regresar. Y porque ya me habían contado que me gustaría, más que nada por la comida y el clima.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Nervioso, creí que me asaltarían o me perdería, pero no tuve problemas todos allá fueron muy amables y supe llegar al departamento.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
Muy bien, nos explicaron con claridad en que consistían los proyectos que elaboraría y mi equipo de trabajo. También nos llevaron a los lugares cercanos para cualquier cosa, comprar comida y estancias para trabajar en los proyectos.
¿Qué es lo que más extrañas de México y de la UNI?
México, la comida más que nada, allá es difícil encontrar tortillas así que viví sin tacos toda la estancia. Y de la UNI mis amigos, las clases en español ya que acá me dieron clases en alemán e inglés, y que en la UNI los edificios están ahí mismo, acá los edificios están retirados, no es una sola instalación está dividido en muchos edificios que se encuentran en diferentes lugares de la ciudad.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
Que si se hablar muy bien el inglés, creía que me faltaría práctica, pero me entendían muy bien y podía sostener una buena conversación con fluidez. También la seguridad, puedes ir caminando por las calles sin miedo a que alguien te asalte, y que cuando tienes una duda le puedes preguntar a casi cualquier persona y te ayudaran son muy amigables!
And the hardest part?
Intentar explicar algo a cualquier persona que no sabe hablar inglés y solo alemán.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
Poder ser tan responsable como los estudiantes de allá, porque para ellos el trabajo y la escuela es muy importante y eso es algo en lo que tengo que trabajar.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
¡Claro que sí! Todo el apoyo que te dan y con tan solo hacer el esfuerzo de mantener un buen promedio, buena actitud y tener buen nivel de inglés, lo vale. Y las amistades que haces allá, la huella que dejas, no tiene precio.
Our Digital Design student Elizabeth Romero, thanks to the Uni Scholarships, had the opportunity to make an international stay at the DHBW University (Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University), in Ravensburg, Germany.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Yes, my sister -who is a Uni graduate- had also told me that there were many internationalization programs with a great variety of calls to apply for scholarships, and that being a good student there were more opportunities to go on exchange.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
No, I was never interested in any program because they were more related to communication than to my digital design career and also I was afraid of being 6 months out of my country away from my family, when I had never done anything like this before. I had never thought about it until I saw the perfect opportunity with DHBW University.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, I didn't even have my passport by the time I applied for the scholarship. I never thought I would go on exchange with the UNI program.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Many of my classmates from UNI had already gone on exchange to Korea and Colombia, they told me about the incredible experience they lived and how it made them grow to be better people and try a little how it feels to be independent for a little while. And from one semester to the next, I decided to try my luck and apply to see if I could win the scholarship. And I did.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
The educational program that DHBW University has is incredible and it is totally oriented to Media Design, unlike the other programs in other countries that UNI offered to go on exchange. So choosing the DHBW program was perfect for me.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
I was very excited, Germany is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited and the people are very friendly and not at all cold as they say. I think the whole process I went through from the day before I got on the plane, the adventure of leaving the country alone, arriving in Germany in the middle of winter, making layovers and so on for the first time, had me in shock. It took me a couple of days to process what I was going through, plus I left for Germany on the last day of December and it was kind of sad for me not to be with my family in the new year, but this whole experience was definitely the most amazing to start the year.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
DHBW University is an amazing place, everyone in the international office and all the teachers I met in my exchange are great people, they always try to help and support you in everything you need to adapt and they were always incredibly kind. I learned a lot with my new international friends with whom I did teamwork and learned new techniques to grow as a professional.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
When I was on my exchange I missed my friends, my teachers and my Uni very much. At the beginning it was a bit difficult to adapt to the English and German classes. I also missed the weather in Mexico, the long sunny days and definitely the Mexican food, especially the tortillas.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
I had the opportunity to go to a hot air balloon festival with my international friends in Switzerland, I visited beautiful places like Lauterbrunnen and Montreaux. And it was definitely one of the best experiences I have ever had. I also visited the impressive Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, a must-see. Meeting new people of other nationalities, getting to know their culture, their customs, living together on trips, going to festivals and concerts, seeing incredible landscapes, living alone for a while and learning many new things, is an incredible experience.
And the hardest part?
The return from Germany to Mexico was the most chaotic thing I have ever experienced. Thanks to COVID things got complicated, they changed our classes to online, then the borders in Europe started to close and flights were cancelled. So I had to live a couple of adventures, like sleeping in the Munich airport to be able to return to Mexico a few weeks earlier than planned. I also couldn't buy presents, nor say goodbye to my friends, so it was very difficult and sad for me.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
I really didn't expect to have such a great time, but it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. Meeting new people, the intercultural exchange and living in another country really changes your perspective and gives you a lot to learn as a person and as a professional.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Of course, there are many opportunities, it is not difficult to apply for scholarships nowadays, it is just a matter of being prepared, being encouraged and taking the opportunities that come your way. And I can confirm that it is a totally worthwhile and life-changing experience, especially for me, I lived an incredible DHBW experience in Germany.
Thank you so much Uni for this amazing opportunity!
