Student of Information Systems tells about her exchange experience

2014 was remarkable for the internalisation process at UNIVATES as the number of students who took the university exchange programme was a record. Among the 80 students who are presently studying abroad, 30 were awarded scholarships from Science without Borders. One of them is Ana Malikoviski, a student of Information Systems. Currently studying in Ireland, she tells us how her experience abroad is coming along.

Originally from the city of Venâncio Aires, she was accepted to study Entertainment Systems at Waterford Institute of Technology, in the city of Waterford. She arrived in June 2014 and will stay for one year and three months. “It’s a long time to be away from home, but the experience has been wonderful. The language, the culture and the lifestyle are so different, but at the same time so similar to what we have in Brazil” – she says.

Ana says she had had IELTS preparation lessons for two months before she eventually started out at the university in Ireland, as IELTS is one of the requirements for international students’ admission in some universities abroad. “Initially I had been living with two Brazilian boys, and that was when I realised that the cultural differences between the south and other areas of Brazil are sometimes nearly more noticeable than the cultural differences between Brazil and Ireland. I am currently living with two Irish boys, so I must always speak English.” – she says.

Ana also says Irish people are very sympathetic and willing to help. “They enjoy life, they enjoy drinking and dancing. There are lots of cultural events with music and food to promote social integration” – she says – and she points that the most traditional food in the country is potatoes, but you can also find all sorts of food, even Brazilian food. “The most popular beer in Guinness, but there are various kinds and brands. They are served in pints, like draught beer in Brazil. There are lots of pubs and clubs, but all of them close around 2:00 or 2:30 am” – she adds.

Ana ought to be back in Brazil in September, 2015. For more information on UNIVATES exchange programme, please, check the university website www.univates.br/intercambio, phone us (51) 37147000, extension 5309, or e-mail us mobility@univates.br.

Written by: Tuane Eggers