A university experience that will change lives

By Alejandro García Suárez – Communications Advisory Office

The University of Cundinamarca welcomed international students who are joining its "Dialoguing with the World" Program, an initiative that seeks to integrate into the global academic world and share knowledge, experiences and expertise.

Catherine Valbuena Lizcano, Internationalization Coordinator, reported that for the first academic period of 2024, the program started with an international mobility of 31 student ambassadors, three (3) incoming students in the Casa Cundinamarca program, 65 in outgoing international mobility, categorized as Student Ambassador and Casa Cundinamarca, who will be present in more than 6 countries in Latin America.

“Every time we welcome a student from another country, we see an opportunity to enrich ourselves with other cultures, with the goal of improving their teaching and learning processes and overcoming knowledge barriers,” Valbuena Lizcano noted.

The News Agency of the University of Cundinamarca consulted some students who entered the institution this semester to learn about their expectations during their stay at the university.

Paula Victoria González Castillo, originally from Argentina, joined the Faculty of Health Sciences to study Nursing at the Girardot campus. “My academic expectations are to learn about other teaching methodologies that interest me both as a student and as a future teacher, as well as to gain a more comprehensive understanding of healthcare realities in other countries and to learn about the cultural and linguistic diversity of our continent,” she said.

“Considering that an exchange is a reciprocal intercultural experience, I think it is important to share with the university students both our teaching and learning methods, as well as a bit of our reality and culture,” González pointed out.

Lucas, an Environmental Engineering student from Brazil, is joining the Girardot branch of UCundinamarca. He is very excited because this exchange program has always been a personal dream. “I want to experience another culture, another language, and enrich my academic training. It’s a personal challenge because Colombia is a country with a rich diversity, offering an ideal environment to broaden my academic horizons. I chose to study at UCundinamarca because of its academic standards and the opportunity for cultural immersion in this country,” he stated.

On the other hand, José Emilio Ochoa Alemán, from Mexico, will study in the Software Engineering program at the Soacha extension. He stated that his challenge is “to acquire professional and cultural skills through this international exchange and to address diverse problems with a broader approach and a global vision.”.

Lizet Texis Ramírez, also from Mexico, is joining the Industrial Engineering program in Soacha. She noted that this process helps her strengthen her knowledge, broaden her understanding of the methods, and improve her perspectives and skills. She added that she has high expectations and is eager to see the laboratories and how they work. “It’s very different and new for us, coming from another country,” she concluded.

“At the University of Cundinamarca, we are proud to welcome international students committed to the educational quality of MEDIT. We provide them with an enriching environment to foster their multidisciplinary and intercultural learning. We wish them an exceptional educational experience and welcome them to our academic community! International students strengthen diversity and confirm high-quality indicators under MEDIT,” Valbuena Lizcano stated.

Finally, he said that, “the University of Cundinamarca offers a high-quality education supported by expert professionals in the generation and transmission of knowledge and administrative management. Furthermore, it provides a welcoming and supportive environment for the academic and personal development of students.”.

Student admissions by regional units

Fusagasugá: The Electronic Engineering, Agronomic Engineering and Bachelor of Social Sciences programs received six (6) international students from Mexico and Argentina.

Soacha Five students from Peru and Mexico have enrolled in the Software Engineering and Industrial Engineering programs. These programs offer innovative and relevant training for the country's technological and productive development.

Girardot Four students have joined the Nursing and Environmental Engineering programs at this branch campus, which boasts modern infrastructure and a conducive learning environment. These students come from Argentina and Ecuador, and will contribute their cultural and academic diversity to the institution.

Facatativá Six young people from Mexico, Peru and Bolivia entered this extension program in Agronomic Engineering, Business Administration and Agricultural Engineering.

Chia Three students from Brazil, Argentina and Mexico joined the Faculty of Administrative, Economic and Accounting Sciences.

Ubaté The Ubaté branch welcomed three international students from Mexico, Bolivia, and Ecuador. These young people joined the academic programs in Business Administration and Animal Science.

More news from the Soacha Extension at the News Agency