María Fernanda Peña, Global Business, Hallym University, Korea.
When you entered Uni, did you know there were international programs?
At the time I entered the university I did not know about the exchange programs.
At what point and why did you start thinking about applying for a scholarship and studying in another country?
I started to apply since I entered the fifth semester, first of all, because I saw that the University of Celaya has an agreement with a university in South Korea, Hallym University, from there I started to look for what I needed to do to be able to go to study in that country, since the idea of studying there for a semester made me very excited, UNI guides and accompanies us to achieve it.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
For many years I have had a great interest in the country and its culture, so when I found out that there was an exchange program I was interested in participating.
How was the scholarship application process?
I started applying since my fifth semester for the scholarship and was not selected, so I approached the people who had already gone or were about to go to Hallym to ask them what I needed to improve in order to be able to go to South Korea to study for a semester.
How did you prepare for this new experience?
Being a country where the language and culture are completely different from what I know, I studied basic phrases and resumed language classes to be able to read and write in Korean. I also applied to another scholarship offered by the Uni, about online courses on social and cultural aspects of South Korea, with Hallym University, which helped me to know in advance important aspects to consider at the time of arrival, but above all keep an open mind to change and the different, just what excited me most about leaving was the challenge of living in a totally different country in language, culture, food, etc..
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
I was nervous about all the changes that were coming, but also very excited to get to know the country, new people, the culture, everything excited me.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
We were very well received, first they gave us a talk to reiterate important aspects and give us credentials and then they gave us a small tour of the university, they took pictures and explained to us the events they were going to have in Hallym to be aware and to be able to attend, as well as another more detailed tour to know the whole campus. Both the university staff and the students were very friendly at all times.
What did you miss most about Mexico and UNI? What I missed most was my family and friends.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience? And the most difficult?
The most exciting thing is that every day was a new adventure, something to know, to try, new people and to be able to visit completely different places.
The hardest part was adjusting to the time difference to be able to talk to my family and friends.
How do you think this experience will influence you as a person and professionally?
In short, this experience had an impact on me, both personally and at work. Being able to live abroad helped me to develop fundamental skills for life and work, such as the ability to adapt to new environments, to practice and perfect the English language at a conversational level and in this case to learn a new language which is Korean, to relate to all kinds of people, as well as to get to know another educational and work level different from what I have lived.
What advice would you give to those who are about to go on exchange to another country?
I would tell them to enjoy every day to the fullest, to know and live new experiences, to go with a very open mind to everything that is to come, not to be afraid of change, to dare to do different things, to try all the typical food of the country, not to be embarrassed and open to meet and talk to everyone, to know how to manage and take care of their money but without depriving themselves of living or trying new things, not to put aside the study because we have the obligation to comply in academics.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and experience, learn as much as you can and have an amazing time.
Would you recommend these opportunities offered by UNI to your colleagues?
I recommend it one hundred percent, the Uni has agreements with excellent universities abroad, the scholarship program is a huge economic support, this program is made for us, so that we grow and develop as better people and better professionals, so I consider it a great opportunity that I hope all students can live and know how to take advantage of.
I am very grateful to Uni for choosing me to participate in the program last semester and very grateful to Hallym University in South Korea for welcoming us so well and making our stay in the country wonderful.
Mariana Prado, from Artes Culinarias, in Medellín, Colombia.
When you entered Uni, did you know there were international programs?
Yes, in fact, it was the main reason why I decided to study my career at the Uni de Celaya.
At what point and why did you start thinking about applying for a scholarship and studying in another country?
Practically since I was in my 3rd semester, although I already had the idea of leaving since I entered, I needed to apply as soon as I had 50% of my credits. I did it because I had always wanted to go on exchange and I thought I had nothing to lose by applying for the scholarship.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Because of the affordability and I was already planning to visit Colombia, I just didn't have a specific date.
How was the scholarship application process?
For me it was full of mixed emotions, as some friends went to a different place than I did and I was anxious about leaving alone (with classmates I didn't know) but very happy to have the opportunity to leave.
How did you prepare for this new experience?
I didn't do much, students from past semesters who were in Medellin gave us some tips and I made a group with the classmates with whom I would go on exchange to be all on the same page and get to know each other a little before the semester started.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
It was an incredible feeling, that I was achieving what I had set out to do so long ago, that I was finally accomplishing a goal and living a dream.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
I was very well received, in general Colombians are very warm and friendly, so throughout the whole process I felt confident that, whenever I had a problem or needed something, I could go to the corresponding teachers without any problem.
What do you miss the most about Mexico and UNI? Definitely the food, my family and my colleagues.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience? And the most difficult? The most exciting thing was meeting people from different countries and getting to know a little about how people live in their native countries. The most difficult part was getting used to the class material, since they were subjects that I did not have in my career.
How do you think this experience will influence you as a person and professionally?
Definitely in my character and attitude, I think I grew a lot as a person because of everything I lived there and that helps me to see life in a different way, valuing absolutely everything, especially the present.
What advice would you give to those who are about to go on exchange to another country? They should try to live in the moment and let go of what they need to appreciate and live the experience in the best possible way.
Would you recommend these opportunities offered by UNI to your colleagues?
No doubt about it.
I am very grateful for the opportunity, it was without a second thought, the best experience I have had so far in college.
Ian Villa, International Business, Hallym University, South Korea.
When you entered Uni, did you know there were international programs?
Since my entrance to UNI I was told about the international programs and also through the institutional mailing list I am made aware of the semester by semester programs.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
Personally I have always had a more foreign-focused vision, one of my goals is to be able to continue to make an impact in the country I go to. So the answer is yes, I firmly believed that I could return to study in another country on behalf of UNI.
Also the international vision that my teachers have imparted to me in their classes along with the entrepreneurial vision of the University of Celaya to create leaders with global competencies.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
I finished my last year of high school in Japan. It was a wonderful experience that helped me grow, give me a new perspective on the world and is the reason why I am pursuing a degree in international business.
Living a new culture, trying different food, speaking and learning another language and creating beautiful friendships were some of the experiences and challenges I lived.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Experiencing a new culture, seeing and learning a different lifestyle, the use of different languages according to the country... The fact that there is a lot to learn from other countries motivates me to keep traveling and exploring, with this I hope to bring new ideas to our country.
But the part I love the most is being able to represent my country. Sharing my own culture, gastronomy, language, traditions. I am proud of my country and I love to share it abroad.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
I have a great interest in Asian countries since my exchange to Japan and this program was another opportunity to learn about Asia and specifically the Republic of South Korea.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
In my experience, arriving in another country feels like changing the world, especially if it is Asia. The language is new, you don't really understand what is going on and a feeling of desperation is born in you to be able to communicate and understand.
I always recommend traveling with an open mind, especially when the customs and behaviors of the people are so different from ours. The food is also different from ours, the flavors and dishes are very different.
All these points may sound negative, but believe me they are the best part of an exchange. Once you understand the language, get to know the customs, taste the food and learn a different lifestyle your development in that country becomes easier and that is when you enjoy it. The exchange presents challenges but once you overcome them you feel proud of what you have achieved.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
With open arms, from the teachers, staff and students from South Korea. Like UNI, HALLYM University has an international vision and despite being far from my country I found a home in Korea.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
Mainly family, being far away prevents us from communicating frequently, missing national holidays such as Independence Day, Noche de Muertos, Christmas and New Year's Day does create a feeling of nostalgia.
From my country I missed the language, being able to express myself in my native tongue. The gastronomy and also my friends. From UNI, it would be my classmates and teachers, because I would have liked to live and share these experiences and learning with them.
What I will miss about South Korea is the safety on the streets, quality public transportation, quality medical services, and the services and entertainment that a first world country like South Korea offers.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
The list is long...
Become an English tutor
Explore beautiful cities such as Seoul and Busan.
Learning a new culture
Discover new dishes.
Practicing the language
Make friends from different parts of the world
Sharing my culture
Practice taekwondo, being the national sport of Korea.
Running a marathon in Chuncheon with the Mexican flag on my shoulders.
To be invited to the Mexican Embassy in Seoul during the national holidays.
To receive recognition for my outstanding participation as a HALLYM student.
To carry the name and values of UNI de Celaya with me.
And the hardest part?
Saying goodbye...
It is curious how in both exchanges that I have experienced, when you return to your destination you go with a feeling of excitement and at the same time sadness knowing that you are leaving behind your family, friends and a lifestyle you are used to.
As I mentioned before there are challenges that any exchange puts you through and they are not easy. There were days when I wanted to go home before the program was over... But once you overcome them you start to enjoy the exchange and that's when you wish it wouldn't end.
Saying "Goodbye" to friends you made, to a lifestyle you adapted to and to a new city you called home. It is sadder to say goodbye because you are closing a cycle. We know it won't be easy to meet all our exchange friends again in the near future, we know how far our country is from Korea... But at least I will keep exploring new countries, creating friendships and learning as much as I can.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
I want to work in my country's foreign relations in Asia, or in a foreign company and be the person who can make the connections with these people because I understand their culture, I understand their language and I can have a better approach with them and they with us.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Absolutely, it helps you to grow as an individual, to work in a team with people from different countries and points of view; to create a global vision and to get to know a new country.
All my life I will be grateful for this experience that motivates me to be a better person.
Angel Carrillo, a student of Automotive Engineering and Lean Systems, won the international scholarship to study in Medellin, Colombia.
When you entered Uni, did you know there were international programs?
Yes, it was mentioned to us in the meeting that was held prior to the admission exam.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
No, I never imagined it.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, this is my first time outside of Mexico.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
To grow both professionally and personally.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Colombia has always been a very rich country culturally and very well known in Mexico, its natural wealth and the contact I had had in Mexico with Colombian people.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Very excited and eager to learn and learn as much as possible.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
From the beginning, UPB was concerned about my wellbeing and adaptation, and they also gave me a very close follow-up during my stay in Medellín.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
The food and my colleagues.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
To meet people from all over the world and learn a little bit about their culture.
And the hardest part?
Having to say goodbye to all my new friends from different countries will forever remain in my memories.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
To acquire skills and knowledge that will enhance my professional career and grow as a person in the cultural and social sphere.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Of course, I would recommend it to all my classmates at Uni, it is an unforgettable experience.
Thank you for the opportunity of this SCHOLARSHIP!
Jesús Jiménez from the Culinary Arts program obtained a scholarship to study at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sulin Porto Alegre, Brazil.
When you entered Uni, did you know there were international programs?
Yes, when asking for admission information, they mentioned the internationalization program and some of the places with which they have agreements.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
No, when I entered I had the illusion of being able to do it and when I was accepted to go to Brazil it was something I did not expect, I was very excited and grateful.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, this is my first time out of Mexico.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
The experience of being able to be in another country and learn about different cultures.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Because it offered the career I am studying and to learn another language; to strengthen my professional skills.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Very strange because it was the first time I was leaving Mexico and for a long time I would not be seeing my family, friends, etc.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
I have been very well received by each of the people who work or study here, it was a very warm welcome especially in the patience of the language since I arrived without knowing Portuguese.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
My family, friends and the food because the food here in Brazil is very different and not as varied as it is in Mexico. And from UNI to be in my area of study Culinary Art.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
To learn about the culture and be with people from different countries, to learn a new language from the speaking country, to visit places I had only seen in movies, to fend for myself, to learn to organize myself administratively and personally.
And the hardest part?
To be independent.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
As a person I hope to grow, to realize what is important and to give more importance to what is worthwhile, to value what I have and to accept it.
And professionally I am in a dilemma because even though I like the career, I feel that it is not my career and in this trip I was able to realize that.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
I highly recommend it because it is a unique opportunity in which you experience many things, good and bad, but it is an experience that I believe every student can experience once while studying their career.
Johana Madrigal from Systemic Psychology obtained an international scholarship to study in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
When you entered Uni, did you know there were international programs?
Yes, when I entered college they explained to me that it was part of their program and that was one of the reasons I decided to go to college.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
Yes, because I had always wanted to go on exchange and decided that I should take advantage of the opportunity.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
Yes, when I was in high school I also went on exchange, but that time it was to Europe.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Meeting different people and places is the most interesting of all, because they are incredible experiences.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Because it was one of the options that I liked the most, since it is a country with a great cultural diversity and amazing places, besides being a great opportunity to learn another language and practice it.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
I felt euphoric because it was completely incredible, everything was a mixture of emotions and I wanted to start getting to know everything.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
They were incredibly kind, they were always helping us with everything, people no matter if they knew you or not were very gracious. It was a warm welcome full of surprises.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
The food, definitely because there is no place that compares to Mexico, as well as the family and friends.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
Going on a trip with my new friends from other countries and meeting more people from Brazil.
And the hardest part?
The most difficult thing was learning to speak Portuguese, because the pronunciation is complicated.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
As a person I hope to learn new things, meet new people and share new experiences, as well as get to know myself better.
Professionally, to learn new knowledge, gain new tools and connections that will be useful to me in the future.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Of course you will, because it is an experience that you will not regret and that you will enjoy very much.
Alfonso Puente, from the Bachelor's Degree in Culinary Art, obtained the international scholarship to study at the Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
When you entered Uni, did you know there were international programs?
Yes, some colleagues had already told me about the existence of these programs.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
No, I didn't really see myself making an exchange.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Living a new experience, learning another language and simply the challenge of leaving your comfort zone to live in another country.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Because of the subjects offered in my area of study.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
At first a bit of nostalgia, fear and worry, as it was a totally new experience for me, plus the fact that I am at a great distance from my country.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
Excellent, the attention and kindness are very good, we felt at home and accompanied from the first moment.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
I think what I missed the most was the food, it is really a total change to Brazilian food. Also my family and friends.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
To be able to visit some tourist places in the country, learn the language and make new friends.
And the hardest part?
I think not being with your family and friends is one of the hardest parts.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
The truth is that I learned a lot from this experience. I matured, I was able to get out of my comfort zone, professionally I learned new things to apply in our environment and professional area.
Would you recommend these opportunities offered by UNI to your colleagues?
Yes, very much, the truth is that this experience is worthwhile, it prepares you for your personal and professional future.
María José Villanueva of Systemic Psychology obtained the international scholarship to study at the Universidad Mayor de Santiago de Chile.
When you entered Uni, did you know there were international programs?
Yes, actually that was one of the main reasons why I chose UNI, because it was my dream to be able to do some exchange.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
It was a little difficult, because I was constantly being told that being a psychology student made it more complicated to win a scholarship, but I tried very hard and although sometimes I applied for the scholarships and did not win, I was never discouraged and I kept trying until I succeeded.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, it is the first time I travel outside of Mexico and the first time I live alone, so it was a lot of new experiences, but I can say that it is one of the best things that has happened to me.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
To fill myself with new and different knowledge, to see how my profession was developing in another part of the world, but I also wanted to meet people, to be taught their culture and to be able to teach mine as well.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Because I had read that in South America the studies in psychology have an impressive progress and that there was very good preparation in this regard.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
It was very scary, because at the beginning I did not understand that it was not a vacation, that I was going to live in a country far away from mine and that I had to say goodbye temporarily to everything I knew, but at the same time I was very excited to know that I could say that the first time I left Mexico was to study, that I finished my career in another country and that the first time I lived alone and became independent was in another country.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
The teachers and school authorities were always very kind and attentive to all of us, they were even very permissive because, although they understood that we were going to study, they also understood that we were going to learn and they gave us a lot of freedom, but without ceasing to demand our responsibilities.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
What I miss most about Mexico is my family, the food, my friends and my routine, I left my comfort zone and very drastically, but without a doubt something that has made me sad these last few days is that I missed my graduation with my friends, I missed my ceremony and although I wouldn't change for the world to be here, I can't deny that I would love to return to spend it there and live that moment that I waited for 4 years.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
I think what excites me the most are the friendships I have formed, that have become family, and have been in good and bad times, because even when we are living a very good experience, not everything is rosy all the time and I am happy to know that I have them, I am excited to know that they are friends that I will keep and that our friendship will not only stay in Chile, that later I have a house in Germany, England, Italy, Spain and that they know that they also have a house in Mexico.
And the hardest part?
For the same reason that the most exciting thing has been all the bonds I have created, definitely the hardest thing at this time are the goodbyes, knowing that this moment is coming to an end and everyone must return to their country, but it is part of the experience.
But also the famous "homesickness" was complicated the first few months, feeling so far away from everything you know and knowing that there is still time to return to that, made some days not so good, but it is also part of.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
As a person I am happy to know that I come back as someone completely new, that I have matured and learned many new things.
Professionally, it is something that I am sure will open many doors for me and I will be able to put into practice everything I have learned here.
Would you recommend these UNI opportunities to your peers?
Yes, definitely, because they are unique opportunities that often only happen once in a lifetime, so you have to take advantage of the fact that UNI gives them to us.
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.
Luz Sofía Mares from Architecture obtained an international scholarship to study at the Universidad Mayor in Chile.
When you entered Uni, did you know there were international programs?
Yes, I knew that the Uni had several programs to study abroad.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
It was something I wanted to do at least once, I had already set my mind to it.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
Yes, I once received a scholarship to study English in Canada.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
I was always interested in learning about other cultures, ways of thinking and living, I wanted to know what is beyond what I usually know. How are the classes, the schools, the teachers and the student community.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
I had been told that I had a very good academic level and also with respect to the career of Architecture and I have verified it.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
At first I was afraid to be alone and start everything new because I didn't know anyone or anything, but then I became curious to experiment and live together more.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
I was given an induction day where I met the student community, the school and also other exchange students. That's how I started to get to know those who are now my friends.
What do you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
I missed the food, the warmth of the Mexican people, the cordiality and friendliness of the people and the patriotic events. From Uni I missed the attention they pay to their students, that any process is solved quickly and that I can express doubts without having to go several times. And of course, my teachers. Also the discipline and punctuality.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
Living alone, proving to me that I am able to adapt very well to new experiences, to start from scratch in terms of my routine, my lifestyle, social relationships and school. It helped me grow in all aspects.
And the hardest part?
The most difficult thing would be the same as I said before, school has its degree of difficulty, but it was the least of my problems, really adapting and starting from scratch was the most difficult and exciting at the same time because I was exposed to continuous changes and nothing was established, that is to say; every situation that was presented to me I had never lived before, so I had to know how to face it at the moment.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
This stay helped me to think beyond, I changed my way of thinking in every aspect of my life, I started the change in what I would like to become and know that after this I can be prepared to take important steps such as working and finishing school, losing the fear to try whatever I propose.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Of course, it is a very enriching experience and it changes you as a person; therefore, as a student and a professional.
