73 students exchanging at Marist Schools of Rio Grande do Sul
Photo: Bruno Todeschini
In the afternoon on Jun 11, PUCRS opened its doors to 73 students and 16 teachers from Chile for a number of activities promoted by the Office of the Vice President for Extension and Community Affairs (Proex), in partnership with the Office for International Cooperation. The Marist Schools of the Província de Santa María de Los Andes (Instituto Alonso de Ercilla and Instituto O’Higgins Rancagua) took their students to Rio Grande do Sul for an exchange with the Marist Schools Graças (Viamão), Assunção (Porto Alegre), São Luis (Santa Cruz do Sul) and Pio XII (Novo Hamburgo).
In the view of Dr Rita Petrarca, Director of PROEX, opening the doors to Marist students from Chile is the beginning of a process of internationalization preceding undergraduate studies, in an effort to bring these students to PUCRS. “PUCRS is a global university that encourages multicultural wealth,” she adds.
The activity is one out of a number of PROEX’s projects aimed at advancing the relationship with High School students. “This is the first of such initiatives involving international students. Our goal is to introduce them to the University. We want to focus specifically on our highlights, such as innovative learning environments, well-developed campus, cutting-edge research, highly qualified faculty, new methodologies and flexible curricula. The idea is to get them to understand the importance of these experiences while they are still in High School, which is when they start preparing for future professional choices, “comments Rita.
In their visit to PUCRS, the Chilean students visited the Science and Technology Museum (MCT) and did a tour of the Living 360º, as they had the chance to learn more about the structure and programs of the University. In September, students of Marist Schools from Brazil will be doing an exchange in Chile.
Pré-Grad International
In December 2019, PUCRS will receive a new group of Chilean students for the 1st edition of the Pré-Grad Internacional. The project is aimed at students aged 15 – 18 allows. It consists of specific courses in each academic area that feature innovative methodologies in which the lessons are delivered in a pleasant way. It also includes theoretical and practicum work activities delivered by PUCRS faculty, in classrooms, laboratories and other learning environments of the University.
