Julia Ourique Valim is on a mobility program at Universidad de Celaya
Julia Ourique Valim, an international trade student of PUCRS’ Business School, is currently in her second semester at Universidad de Celaya, in Mexico. Doing an academic mobility program has been a successful undertaking for her, who was awarded with an academic distinction last February, in response to her outstanding performance.
Julia arrived in Mexico in June 2017 to stay for a single semester there. However, she had such positive experiences that when she learned she would have the chance to stay for another semester, she did not hesitate and embarked upon another academic term. She will be coming back to Brazil in July this year to finish her program at PUCRS.
She choose to study in Latin America because of the international students she became friends with during their study abroad experience at PCURS. “The exchange of experiences with them propels us to give a different look at the things we can do as students and the things PUCRS itself offers us and which, most often, we are not aware of”, says Julia. In the second semester of 2016, she made friends with some Universidad de Celaya students, who had come from Mexico for a mobility program at PUCRS. “The passion for the language and the Mexican culture and the friends that I made are, without a doubt, the reasons that encouraged me to come to this country and this university”, says she.
When it comes to her academic life, Julia claims to have a tough routine. “The schedule, the number of courses and the teaching method are very different and, on top of that, there’s a language barrier”, reports she. Despite the challenge, she seemed determined and responsible for her studies. The academic distinction she received epitomizes an entire semester of dedication in Mexico.
Julia is extremely grateful for receiving this recognition from her professors, who named it a “double distinction” as she achieved excellent results while dealing with cultural differences and struggling with the language. “All I can say to other students is: don’t hesitate to do an academic mobility program! If you have the chance, don’t miss it. In addition to having an impact on our academic life, it is a once in a lifetime experience”, recommends she.
