“I think it's important to all the students in college in Brazil, mainly in my course, to make an exchange program” says Lucas when asked about exchange programs. Lucas Oliverira, 24, is a student at the Federal University of Sao Joao del-Rei(UFSJ). He says that in the next year, he would like to study abroad for a semester. UFSJ and New Mexico State University(NMSU) hold together a sister exchange program for students from either university to go to the other. With this direct link, students get an opportunity to see the world, study different things and learn new cultures.
Although there is a direct exchange between the two universities, it’s not just a walk in the park to be accepted into this program. At UFSJ, to be eligible, students must have already completed 40% of their major, present a transcript showing a GPA of 2.5 or better, and must have fluency of the language that is spoken in the country that they would like to go to. Once a student has completed such requirements, they may apply for the exchange. Once accepted in the application process, students will be interviewed in the language of the receiving country to show there fluency and ability to succeed in their studies in another language and country.
NMSU is much the same in their ways. Students must have already completed 2 semesters at NMSU to become eligible, must show proficiency in the portuguese or spanish, and must prove there financial ability; They will be charged NMSU tuition. Once Applied and accepted into the program, Students must bring letters of recommendation, take “Web CT” tests, and obtain HTH health insurance. “Learn as MUCH AS POSSIBLE about the culture. Movies, music, politics, everything you can.” Recommends Jose Francisco in an email interview. Jose is from NMSU and stayed in São João del-Rei for a semester.
So then what does a student do after they have completed all of this? They book plane tickets and get to there country! Once they have arrived, the most difficult part comes. When arriving in São João del-Rei, students must register for classes, register with the police, attend student orientation, and other things of this nature, all in portuguese. Although many people in the ‘intercambi’ office speak english, orientation and registration is all in portuguese.
At NMSU, the process starts with: “Partner schools notify us of their candidates, who then fill out the NMSU exchange application, which I review,” Starts Dr. Huntsberger, “ Then I work with international admissions to get them admitted as non-degree students. Then my office issues them their visa documents.” Once accepted, they are arranged into student housing and they have the option of buying a meal plan. They then arrive, goto orientation and sign up for classes.
Why go if it’s so much work? What is gained? isn’t it easier to just study in the same campus? “It was a unique experience in my life.” Starts Fernando in another email interview, “During the time that I passed there, I met different people, practiced english, took classes that didn’t exist in my university in Brazil and got to know a country’s culture that has been in my life since the time I was a child” Fernando has gone on a semester exchange to NMSU. Adeline stars “I’ll start by talking about academic gains... When you go to another country, you will learn it’s language. becoming competent in another language is a gain in itself.” Adeline is the exchange program coordinator for UFSJ. With so much reason to go, the work will become well worth it for anyone participating in an exchange program.
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