Experience Report from UFJ students

By Adriana Luize Bocchi

Ana Claudia Resende Dias - Veterinary Medicine - Universidad Nacional del Litoral - Argentina - Second term/2018 AUGM Network.

 

Ana Claudia

The exchange program I took part in Argentina was one of the best things UFJ provided me. I could make friends from various parts of the world, I was able to know their history, their culture, and also the differences between every one’s day to day. I went through unforgettable moments and came back with a wide range of knowledge, experiences and good moments.

It was a huge learning experience, both professionally and personally speaking. I can say that it has changed the way I see the world and the way I look at situations that happen in my life. It was a worthwhile experience. It's great to know that our college provides these programs and that everyone has a chance to participate!

 

Juliano Alves de Lima - Biomedicine - Universidad Nacional del Nordeste - Argentina - First term/2016 - AUGM Network.

 

Juliano

 

My name is Juliano Alves de Lima, I am a Biomedicine student at UFJ. I took part in an academic exchange program in the first term of 2016 by the Asociación de Universidades Grupo Montevideo, at the Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Argentina, in the Biochemistry course. 

It all started on March 1st, when the big day arrived. I boarded with all my dreams and fears, but confident that the next months would be fantastic and surprising. I was received in a festive atmosphere by the other exchange students from different nationalities, strange people, but who welcomed me with open arms and full of smiles. 

The next step was to get to know the University. Fortunately, I was received with great affection, respect and hospitality by the students of the 5th year of the Biochemistry course. I studied subjects whose menus would be compatible with the subjects I would attend at UFJ, and despite the difficulties due to language and different teaching systems, I came back with great knowledge that enhanced my professional experience. 

I believe that an academic exchange program gives us many experiences, which go beyond the University environment. We learn to adapt to situations, people, language and culture completely different from what we are used to. It is not an easy journey, but once you overcome it, the feeling of self-fulfillment and determination comes as a trophy. 

Finally, I would like to thank the professors who encouraged me, the UFJ International Affairs Coordination, the UNNE International Cooperation and also to my noble exchange students who made those months of my life unforgettable.

 

Diego Aguirre Muller Costa - Forestry - Hochschule Für Forstwirtschaft Rottenburg - Germany - 7 months in German course (Frankfurt am Main) and 1 year in Wood Engineering (Tübingen), by Science without borders / CAPES.


Diego

My desire to do an exchange program, especially in Germany, started even before I entered University, mainly because my family is of German descent, in addition to being a reference country in the world. Seeing the experience of friends at UFJ and the opportunities offered by Ciência sem Fronteiras made me go after this goal. 

In August 2013 I started this experience and got to know a very different reality from ours. A variety of cultures and people between very close countries and even within each country, as in Germany, which is approximately the size of Goiás and has a variety of dialects.

Learning the German language and using it on a daily basis, studying and living with students from different countries, in addition to making new friendships that I cultivate to this day, was and continues to be enriching both in my personal and professional life. 

During college, as it is a small university, I was able to get to know the professors up close. In addition, in the subjects I could see that wood is highly valued and used in different ways in the country, mainly in construction and as energy for heating houses. The best moment was to participate in a tour with the class through southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria visiting wood industries. 

In March 2015 I came back with a lot of experiences, which I try to share so that it can serve as an example for other students to awaken this desire to learn a new language and do an exchange. One way to take advantage of this learning is by participating in the Junior Enterprise Movement, where I am contributing to the creation of the Junior Enterprise Forestalis at our university.