Students Kristijana Marušič ( Computer Science and Informatics ) and Liliia Chanysheva ( Economist ) seized a unique opportunity and participated in the Brazilian Seminars exchange at one of the most prestigious universities in Latin America – Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio). The programme, which brought together students from around the world, offered an in-depth insight into Brazilian society, culture, technology and development challenges, all through an interdisciplinary approach and close collaboration with local experts.
For both Kristijana and Liliia, the exchange was an experience that transcended classical academic frameworks – it opened new horizons for them, strengthened their personal and professional competences and placed them at the centre of a diverse multicultural environment. When the students learnt about the possibility of an Erasmus exchange in Brazil, they immediately knew it was an exceptional opportunity – not only for personal growth, but also for professional development in the field of computer science and informatics. Their decision to go to Rio de Janeiro was driven by a desire to broaden their horizons and experience how information technologies impact society in a different cultural environment.
At PUC-Rio university, they participated in modules that addressed the social and technological challenges of Brazil. They were particularly drawn to an essay that students had to write about a chosen problem in Brazil, whilst also designing their own solution. They decided to approach the task from a computer science perspective – with an emphasis on programming and the use of technology as a tool for positive social change.
The programme was distinctly interdisciplinary and allowed students considerable freedom in choosing topics and approaches to problem-solving.
Besides academic work, the exchange also brought numerous other challenges and opportunities for learning. They quickly learnt to adapt to a new environment, improved their communication in English and gained valuable experience working in a multicultural team. They met students from the USA, France, Peru and numerous other countries, each with their own unique perspective on the world and group work.
A very important experience was also gaining an in-depth understanding of digital inequality in Brazil. Whilst high internet accessibility is taken for granted in Europe, there they truly realised for the first time how important infrastructure and digital literacy are for a country's development. These insights further motivated her to reflect on how she, as a future engineer, can contribute to a more inclusive digital future.
The exchange enabled them to refine their technical knowledge, gain confidence, greater independence and patience. Completely on their own, they travelled halfway around the world, successfully integrated into a new environment and completed all study obligations. This gave them a sense that they are ready for any challenge – at home or abroad.
The entire experience became one of the most important chapters in their student life. It was not just about academic credits, but about knowledge and insights that remain forever. To everyone who has the opportunity, they sincerely recommend stepping out of their comfort zone – because that is precisely where great things happen.
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Source: Academia (4. 8. 2025).
This English summary was produced automatically from the Slovenian article and is pending editorial review. Slovenska različica
