[Joao Paulo Souza and his exchange experience, his dream is to work at UPAEP.]
May 3rd, 2017
Translated by: Mercedes A. Hernández Pacheco
Joao Paulo Souza Dos Santos is 24 years old and studies Gastronomy in Tiradentes University and he is from Brazil. He did his exchange program in 2014 and he tells us how was for him, his culture shock, his major and the friendships he made while he as in Mexico.
After 3 years living in Mexico, Joao Paulo tells us he already feels Mexican because it was very easy to adapt to the environment, the people and the culture even though at the beginning he never imagined living in this country because he wanted to go to Spain.
“From the first time that I arrived, I felt in love, everything was happiness and there were parties everywhere; I went to Puebla downtown and although I did not understand Spanish, I was content to be here because you have kind and nice people. They are always helping foreigners and they invite us to meet different places”.
The nowadays chef, had the opportunity to come to Mexico because he was the second best student in his generation and he was still able to keep that title while in UPAEP which has him really pleased because most of his classmates were taking between 4 or 5 courses, while he was taking 9 and still got a 9.5 even though his Spanish was not the best.
However, his experience in UPAEP has been so good; he recommends it to any of his friends every time he has a chance, “since I am here, I have been an UPAEP ambassador to my country, I always speak good about it in school because I really love it. I cannot longer talk about it because it is too much (giggles), I really like to be here and even though I have not finish my bachelor, I always go back because of my friends and school. I enjoy the way they teach and I am really in love with the University”, the Brazilian said.
Learning Spanish was one of the hardest things, in his own words, it was difficult and boring because Joao talked to much and nobody understood him, “even in Brazil was difficult to get understood since I speak pretty fast, but after a month and a half in Mexico, having Spanish lessons every day, it became easier. After a few more years it becomes way much more effortless of course (giggles)”.
Finally, Joao gives us his best experience during his exchange:
“Definitely making so many friends from one place was new to me. I also had the chance to develop myself professionally. I have been able to work in 9 restaurants in less than two years and nowadays I have a buffet service, give lectures in one school and Portuguese in another. My main goal is to work in UPAEP, come back not as a student but to be able to teach within my own academic area. I am thinking about making a life in Mexico because, I am already Mexican” says Joao very happy.
ORIGINAL TEXT:
https://www.upress.mx/index.php/opinion/entrevistas/812-un-brasileno-que-ya-se-siente-mexicano
