Interview:

Julia Perdigao Guerra from Brazil is studying in the United States through the Brazil Scientific Mobility program. She is studying English at the American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI) at California State University, Chico. She is also studying Mechatronics Engineering.

Why did you choose the American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI) at California State University, Chico?

Actually, we just knew the name of the university, so I got information about ALCI after I arrived in Chico. I knew that I would study English before I attended the university, but I didn’t know the name of the institute that I would study. I got information from a Brazilian student who studied there.

How has this program helped you to handle future study at a U.S. university?

I have learned a lot from ALCI. All the teachers have a really good teaching method and the students are always supported by them.

The Brazil Scientific Mobility Program is a great opportunity to build our knowledge and get experience in a foreign country. I’m so thankful for this opportunity. I could learn a lot, and I still have many things to learn. I will attend Chico State University next semester, and I’m so excited about it. Some of my friends are studying there, and I could get some information from them. I think it is a great university in which all the professors are committed to teach as well as they can. I have no doubt that I will learn a lot, and I will have the chance to learn from great professors.

After my experience in the United States, I will be more qualified to get a good job in my area of study because I had studied in a good university out of my country, and also I had learned English.

How relevant is your U.S. education to your personal goals and to the needs of your country? 

My future goals are to graduate from my home university, get a good job and start my master’s degree.

My career goals are to work in a famous automotive company such as BMW and be a qualified professional.

What is your advice to other students who are considering a U.S. education?

I would say that the experience of studying in a foreign country is the best choice that you can make. Besides the knowledge, we make friends, and making friends from different countries helps you as a human. We learn how to respect the differences between cultures.

I would recommend ALCI and Chico State University because the professors give us a really good support and they have good teaching method. Also, Chico State is one of the best engineering and technology universities.