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!
Our student David Velázquez, from the Communication and Audiovisual Media degree program, shares with us the experience he lived during his stay at the University of Oviedo, Spain.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
I was unaware of the internationalization programs until before entering the career, it was in my first semester when we were introduced to the internationalization opportunities offered by UNI.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
The possibility crossed my mind when I first heard about the experiences of the students who traveled before me, but frankly it seemed like a distant dream.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, this is the first time I am out of the country.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
The curiosity to know something new, to continue my studies using another approach, to meet new people and cultures; to be able to travel the continent aboard a train and to add tools and possibilities in my development while I know.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Choosing the country was not difficult, I had always wanted to know Spain and travel around Europe. The hard part was choosing a university since there were 3 universities offered for CMA; in the end Oviedo was my first choice because of the academic program offered, and fortunately I was accepted.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
At first I couldn't believe it, everything was so new, but I was excited.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
They gave me a warm welcome, when I arrived in Oviedo, the university brings you closer to the Erasmus (which is an EU student exchange program), they made sure to make me feel welcome, they also do a lot of activities so you can socialize with other exchange students.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
I miss my family, my friends, my teachers, and also how easy the exams were there (believe me, they are much harder here).
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
I can say that the greatest emotion has been falling in love and living with my partner, but I also find great satisfaction in having directed my studies in another current of thought. I had the opportunity to study within the Faculty of Philosophy and take a semester of Art History and Music. I really loved taking these classes, I think this will help strengthen the pillars of my professional and personal future.
And the hardest part?
You could say it was the Covid, isolation in a foreign country is hard. Besides, it was not a very good idea for me to take subjects in the last semesters of a different career than mine.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
As a person I think it has already changed me, leaving your country and seeing things from outside, listening to other cultures and exchanging ideas really changes your perspective. Professionally it also helped me to find new perspectives, I hope this can lead me to a better professional development.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Totally, I believe and hope that all UNI students (or at least most of them) can have this kind of experience. I recommend you to be aware of the different calls for internationalization and do your best to meet the requirements. I was irregular, and yes, it was difficult, but in the end it was worth it.
The University of Celaya participates in the Plan promoted by the Department of Economic Development of the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States and Kolau for the economic reactivation.
On April 21, 2020, Dr. Cuauhtémoc González, from the Virtual University of the University of Celaya, participated, together with academics from the Rafael Landívar University of Guatemala and from the group of universities of Hispanoamerica, Foundation for Strategic Analysis and Development of Small and Medium Enterprises (FAEDPYME), in an event attended by political authorities with the objective of finding solutions to mitigate among MSMEs the negative economic effects of the pandemic caused by COVID-19.
This event was part of the plan promoted by the OAS in which Kolau, a Silicon Valley company, is leading the technological and operational part.
The launch of the plan in Mexico took place on March 30, 2020 and was widely covered by the media. Since the launch, more than 50 secretaries of economic development in the country have joined, both at state and municipal level, as well as more than 10 universities in the republic. At the continental level, more than 1,200 entities have joined to date, 50 of which are universities and higher education institutions.
Through simple-to-use technology and advanced functions, the company can create its website completely free of charge and very simple. This plan is open to all businesses in Mexico, regardless of their current regularization or formalization status, as well as to companies from all sectors and industries.
The municipal government of Celaya joined The event took place on June 11, 2020, in what has become the largest public-private alliance in the Americas to promote e-commerce and the digitalization of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
Through the alliance of the Universidad de Celaya with the MiPyme Digitalization Plan, benefits will be extended to the programs carried out by the University in favor of entrepreneurship and digitalization. Likewise, the University will participate in digital training sessions organized within the framework of the plan, leading the academic part.
The SME SME digitalization sessions are the accompaniment of technology, since they provide the audience with practical knowledge with which to strengthen their presence on the Internet. Among the digital training sessions or courses are those focused on visibility in Internet search engines through specialization to adapt to the way consumers search for the product, those that deal with the conversion of visitors into customers and finally those that deal with customer retention in order to multiply the benefit and value they bring to the company.
The participation of the student community of the University of Celaya, as well as companies, is completely free of charge, and no previous digital knowledge is required to take advantage of the plan.
In November 2019, the 10th Research Forum of the University of Celaya was held, in which 81 research papers were presented by students from all undergraduate and engineering programs.
The objective of the event is to disseminate the research protocols and reports carried out by undergraduate students of the University of Celaya in their search to generate solutions to problems in an ethical and successful manner.
Each student team presents both a poster and a short presentation of the results of their research work. At the end of their presentation, the teams receive feedback from the Evaluators Committee made up of research experts in different disciplines of knowledge. This experience strengthens learning and encourages students to put into practice the skills of socialization and dissemination of the scientific knowledge they have generated, in addition to having developed the necessary skills to design, implement and evaluate a scientific research project.
In this way, the cycle of research subjects closes each year with all our students. This contributes to the formation of people who research and interpret their environment and thus generate ethical and successful solutions to local, regional, national and global problems.
This year, the Biomedical Engineering students, in addition to their poster and oral presentation, presented the prototypes of the innovative technology they developed and evaluated with their research, some examples are: technology for color detection, scanning and digitalization of organs, Measure Tracking System (MTS) and distance from one point to another with LabVIEW.
The works carried out are also the beginning or continuation of projects developed in other subjects, thus contributing to transversal learning.
In addition, the papers evaluated as the most significant are selected to receive support and to be presented at specialized congresses in their disciplines.
Congratulations to all student researchers, see you at the next Forum.
Our student María Fernanda Paz from the Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, shares with us the experience of her international stay at the Faculty of Nutrition and Dietetics of the University of Lleida, Spain.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Yes, since UNI is very well known for this, in fact, it 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?
It was not something I had clear, the reality is that I saw it as a dream, however, I always tried hard to do it; but I have to say that when I applied for the call my parents were not aware of it and when I was selected to do my international stay I had to talk to them, but I never doubted that they would support me.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, this was my first experience outside my country.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
I can say that I had many motivations, I wanted to grow as a person, I have always lived with my parents so I wanted to live the experience of doing it alone and what better way to do it in another country, academically I wanted to expand my knowledge, I loved the idea of learning about other cultures.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
In my career we had three options, but for me Spain was always my only option, it was my dream country, I liked its architecture, its accent, the lifestyle, the university, knowing that the language would not be a problem since Spanish was spoken or at least I thought so since in Lleida practically everything is in Catalan, which is now a language that I love and I want to continue learning. Besides, it is another continent so life is totally different and the nutritional education is very different from ours.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Endless emotions, I was always super excited, but I traveled alone so the nervousness started from the moment I had to board, flying for 12 hours, arriving at an airport that is huge, El Prat, not knowing what to do and no one waiting for me was super difficult, arriving in Lleida I fell in love with the city, it was hard to get used to the schedule, the climate that is super radical, but it is a process that I had to live and one more learning.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
Super good in all aspects, all the directors and teachers have been super understanding with me, there is one person that I have to mention because I will always carry with me, Enric, a guy, also a student of nutrition, who has introduced me to my career director, I was lost the first day and he has helped me to do everything related to my load of subjects, He has explained me everything about the university and has also shown me the whole city, he is a friend that I will always cherish, the university is super nice, I have taken subjects with the three courses so I have had many classmates and I have to thank them all for their support, they have been super nice and have received me as one of them.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
I can say almost everything, my family, who I count the days to see and hug, my friends, my teachers, my gym, my patients, food which is something I have done quite a bit here and now value quite a bit, my university in general.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
I can not choose something specific but my first trip was to Barcelona, it was a dream for me to know the city and go to Camp Nou, Barcelona's stadium, when I entered I felt one of the best feelings of my life, but also to live and meet many cultures, luckily I have had to live with an Italian, Brazilians (now I understand and speak a little Portuguese), Mexicans, Colombians and I have met people from all over the world, the unforgettable parties of erasmus, more than friends I take brothers from this experience, for all this has been so exciting.
And the hardest part?
The first has been the surprise that I have taken at the university to know that they would not speak to me in Spanish, but that all my classes would be in Catalan, it has been difficult because I did not understand anything so studying has been complicated at the beginning, but now I understand and I can speak some Catalan.
And second, the covid-19 situation has been very complicated, we saw in the news all about this, but we never imagined that it would come to us; the most difficult thing about this is that in Spain everything has been very drastic, we were in a normal day and we are warned that classes are suspended, that we enter in a state of alarm and that we can not leave anymore, it has been just over two months in which the situation was uncertain, where we saw how many erasmus returned to their countries, see our travel plans canceled but good bad things, it is an experience and a lot of learning.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
My mentality has changed a lot, I think that as a person I have grown too much, I am no longer afraid to travel, live or anything I have to do alone, in my career I have broadened my horizons, now I value my family more, so I expect a lot from myself, I want to keep looking for opportunities because there are many! And I want to be prepared.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
I say to all Uni students: if you have the opportunity to do an international stay, do not hesitate, fight for it, it is an experience that will mark you in your life and you will not want it to end. Take advantage of the great opportunity that our University offers us.
Our student José Julián Villaseñor, Industrial Engineering Administrator, shares with us the international experience he lived during his stay at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
I entered the University of Celaya because of the career in which I am developing, in addition to the reputation that the university has, but I was not so aware of the academic mobility plans abroad that they have.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
No, because before my plans were to finish my degree and get a job in a company, and thanks to the language program that the university has and my exchange in Brazil, I am broadening my professional horizons, and improving the way I communicate with people even if it is in another language.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, this is my first time living and studying abroad, but I will try hard not to make it the only time.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
To get out of my zone of conformity and experience the expectations and way of living within the customs and cultures of another country, and to strengthen different aspects of my professional and personal life, as well as my skills.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Because the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul has very good engineering curricula to offer to the student community, and also as a recommendation of the University of Celaya for my curriculum.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
At first I felt very excited and proud of myself, my family and my career, for having managed to get to the place where I am and that my way of doing things resulted in the achievement of being part of this exchange, from then on, most of the time I was always positive and cheerful for the upcoming situations in Brazil.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
From the moment we arrived for the first time, the university has always been in constant communication with all the intercampers, from the meetings to inform the school aspects, as well as to give us a warm welcome to all of us and their help for the situations that have arisen during our stay, in a very friendly manner and always with the doors open for any questions or problems we might have.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
What I miss most about Mexico is living with my family and friends, and the gastronomic diversity that we Mexicans have. What I miss most about La UNI is the kind of coexistence and the university atmosphere that usually exists, and it has a lot to do with some difficulties that I occasionally have when communicating and the lack of university atmosphere that I have had during my stay at PUCRS.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
Due to the exchange date, we were able to be present at the Carnival in Brazil, which is supposed to be one of the biggest in the world and we enjoyed it so much that we made a second trip to Florianopolis where we were able to appreciate even more the nature that this beautiful island has to offer.
And the hardest part?
Seeing the causes that we have in Brazil thanks to the quarantine, since I saw how some people lost their jobs and wondered what they were going to do until the quarantine ended, many more unemployed people looking for decent work in the streets, and in a way that has affected us all, the good thing was that I am accompanied by friends who make the weight of the quarantine lighter.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
As a person I hope to be able to take the experiences I have had while I have been fending for myself in a new environment for me, in order to prepare myself better in the future; as a professional I want to continue preparing myself to continue having a career as I have had so far and thanks to the new perspectives I am acquiring, I can know better important points in which I believe I can be efficient for my career and for my community.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Of course I recommend them to my colleagues, as these kinds of opportunities make you have the kind of life-changing discoveries, and it's also very likely to improve your perception in terms of thinking, what would things be like if...?
And that for me is what I'm thankful to have gotten this opportunity.
