A "Life-Changing" day: Católica welcomes new international students in Viseu

This is Gabriela Sado's second time in Portugal, but her first in Viseu. She chose Católica to study psychology because it was "the best university" in the country. At the age of 22, she came from Brazil to "become a great psychologist". We met her at the 8th edition of the International Student Meeting, which took place in Viseu on 14 October. The event gathered around 200 international students of the Universidade Católica, from over 40 different nationalities, on a day that was marked by cultural exchange.

Among the new UCP students, we found Elizabeth Odutolu, of Nigerian nationality, who has been studying management in Viseu for about 6 months. "I was studying in Ukraine" when the war started "so I quickly went to Portugal, and that's how my story began", shares. She chose Católica because she felt "at home". She is " really enjoying it" and highlights the "connection between students and professors." Thanks to their support she is already able to say "Boa tarde, tudo bem? Como estás?", words in a language she never imagined she would be able to learn.

Also adapting to the new country, we met Şerife Mustuloğlu and Oğulcan Ulu, who came from Turkey to the UCP Porto Regional Centre. They study in different fields, but are both doing their traineeship at Católica. "I am doing my traineeship at the Human Neurobehavioral Laboratory," Oğulcan shared. On the other hand, Şerife is a food engineer. Although they chose the Porto campus and share the nationality, they only met at the event.

This is also the case for Geena Kurten, 23, and Sina-Marie Mayer, 21. The two Germans chose to do a mobility period in the Institute for Political Studies, in Lisbon, and became friends at the meeting. It is these friendships that the Vice-Rector of Católica for Global Education, Isabel Vasconcelos, hopes will "last a lifetime."

Organised in small groups led by the international students of the Viseu Regional Centre (CRV), the host campus, the new international students of UCP played a peddy-paper that took them on a discovery around the city. At the end of the day, entertained by the Estudantina Universitária de Viseu, they danced, laughed and learned how to make the "comboio", a typical element of any Portuguese party.

This meeting of cultures is the aim of the event that annually welcomes the new international students of the UCP in one of its 4 campi: Lisbon, Porto, Braga and Viseu. Simultaneously, it shows Católica as "a national university with a global vocation", characteristic "that makes us unique", highlighted the Vice-Rector.

This year, the welcome was the responsibility of the CRV, where "about 50% of the students who enrolled are international", stressed the Pro-Rector and President of the Regional Centre, Aires do Couto. "Viseu welcomes the internationals with great joy and willingness" he added.

The event was organised in partnership with the city museums, and the Viseu City Council. Leonor Barata, executive councillor of the City Council, stressed the importance of welcoming international students "in the best possible way." To the newcomers, she wished, "I hope you enjoy your time here."

And that's what the participants did. They got to know colleagues from all corners of the world and the city of Viseu, considered the "best to live in Portugal". For students Ana Luiza Abrunhosa and Giada Tempesta, it was a "Muito legal" and "Life-Changing" day.