Brasilien - Universdade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho
From the 1. September to 30. October 2011 I made an internship at the Brazilian Universdade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho in Jaboticabal and there at the Institute of rural engineering. During the application period for the internship, I just found myself writing my thesis for my bachelor's degree at the University of Potsdam in Geoecology. Shortly before i went to Brazil, I applied at the TU Berlin for the master and I also enrolled there. Thus the weeks before the internship were pretty hectic. But ultimately everything went well, also that I could came back a little too late to start my Masters degree.
During this time I had contact with my professor in Brazil, the student with whom I would live and to IAESTE Brazil. Thus I knew that somebody would pick me up at the airport in Sao Paulo and bring me to the bus station for my drive to Jaboticabal. In Sao Paulo I was warmly (though all were a little tired, because I arrived 5 o'clock) received. At the bus station, the student then helped me to buy a bus ticket, as well as something to eat, and she showed me where my bus would leave three hours later. Then they had to go because the other trainee also had to be brought to his lodgings in the vicinity of Sao Paulo. Previously, she informed my hostess in Jaboticabal still, when I would arrive around there and when she could pick me up from there. After about 6 hours on the bus I came in Jaboticabal, where Andrea was waiting for me. Once in my accommodation we drank coffee and I got to know the other housemates.
I lived in a "Republica" along with five other Brazilian students (4 girls, 1 boy). I shared my room with two girls. All were / are very friendly and helpful and despite the age difference (all were 5 to 13 years older than me) we got along very well. For example, I helped them to learn English and they taught me Portuguese, for which we have met almost every evening in the common room (it was very funny and we laughed very much). On the weekends we often went out with them or I made trips to their hometowns to their families. So I had the good fortune to get to know (very cheap) Sao Paulo, Goiania, Brasilia Ribereiro Preto and Guaria.
Jaboticabal itself is a relatively small city with many students. And there are many so-called "Republicas" (Brazilian name for a student flat), where usually 4-6 students live in a small house together. Since there are many students in the city, there were also held numerous parties and it was very easy to meet new people. In the evening I was recommended not to leave alone, because it now and then comes to raids. But nothing like that happend to me during the time in Brazil.
Most of the students speak a little English. But in general it is easier when you know Portuguese, otherwise one is forced to learn to spot a little :), since most normal people (like talking in shops, neighbors) did not speak English (mostly Spanish).
The university was very big and the site also includes useful free sports courts and a swimming pool. During my internship I have not worked on a special project. I think my professor had no real "work plan" that I had to do during this time. So it was more or less spontaneously, and decided from week to week, even though I could even make suggestions. In the end I had attended several seminars / workshops on sustainable agriculture involved (especially on the cultivation of sugar cane), Workshop on ArcGIS 10 and the GIS tool SWAT and I helped with the literature on sustainable agriculture and the impact with the water quality and erosion risk. Also, I was with a group of researchers from the University of Uberlandia in the Araguaia National Park.
In total I've learned a lot about the current environmental problems through the production of sugar cane and what / how they are trying to change that or about the current state of development in Brazil. As for my studies, I have however learned a little more professionally. My professor was well aware of this and therefore probably had a bad conscience (and because they are usually very busy and had little time for me). I think that possibly, even before should have talked about it via e-mail contact with his competent supervisor, for example if it is important due to the recognition of the university's internship to make the content clear. The description on the O-form corresponded in any case only removed my actual training content.
The Brazilian IAESTE Committee offered only two excursions during the two-month internship, which were too expensive when only the interns' salary at his disposal. That's why I was not involved in this, and can therefore not say anything further about it. In Jaboticabal itself, there was no "local committee" and I was at that time the only IAESTE trainee in Jaboticabal. All in all, I would recommend an internship in Brazil because the people are very helpful and friendly. I've at least made no contrary experience. And it always pays to know a different way of life!
During this time I had contact with my professor in Brazil, the student with whom I would live and to IAESTE Brazil. Thus I knew that somebody would pick me up at the airport in Sao Paulo and bring me to the bus station for my drive to Jaboticabal. In Sao Paulo I was warmly (though all were a little tired, because I arrived 5 o'clock) received. At the bus station, the student then helped me to buy a bus ticket, as well as something to eat, and she showed me where my bus would leave three hours later. Then they had to go because the other trainee also had to be brought to his lodgings in the vicinity of Sao Paulo. Previously, she informed my hostess in Jaboticabal still, when I would arrive around there and when she could pick me up from there. After about 6 hours on the bus I came in Jaboticabal, where Andrea was waiting for me. Once in my accommodation we drank coffee and I got to know the other housemates.
I lived in a "Republica" along with five other Brazilian students (4 girls, 1 boy). I shared my room with two girls. All were / are very friendly and helpful and despite the age difference (all were 5 to 13 years older than me) we got along very well. For example, I helped them to learn English and they taught me Portuguese, for which we have met almost every evening in the common room (it was very funny and we laughed very much). On the weekends we often went out with them or I made trips to their hometowns to their families. So I had the good fortune to get to know (very cheap) Sao Paulo, Goiania, Brasilia Ribereiro Preto and Guaria.
Jaboticabal itself is a relatively small city with many students. And there are many so-called "Republicas" (Brazilian name for a student flat), where usually 4-6 students live in a small house together. Since there are many students in the city, there were also held numerous parties and it was very easy to meet new people. In the evening I was recommended not to leave alone, because it now and then comes to raids. But nothing like that happend to me during the time in Brazil.
Most of the students speak a little English. But in general it is easier when you know Portuguese, otherwise one is forced to learn to spot a little :), since most normal people (like talking in shops, neighbors) did not speak English (mostly Spanish).
The university was very big and the site also includes useful free sports courts and a swimming pool. During my internship I have not worked on a special project. I think my professor had no real "work plan" that I had to do during this time. So it was more or less spontaneously, and decided from week to week, even though I could even make suggestions. In the end I had attended several seminars / workshops on sustainable agriculture involved (especially on the cultivation of sugar cane), Workshop on ArcGIS 10 and the GIS tool SWAT and I helped with the literature on sustainable agriculture and the impact with the water quality and erosion risk. Also, I was with a group of researchers from the University of Uberlandia in the Araguaia National Park.
In total I've learned a lot about the current environmental problems through the production of sugar cane and what / how they are trying to change that or about the current state of development in Brazil. As for my studies, I have however learned a little more professionally. My professor was well aware of this and therefore probably had a bad conscience (and because they are usually very busy and had little time for me). I think that possibly, even before should have talked about it via e-mail contact with his competent supervisor, for example if it is important due to the recognition of the university's internship to make the content clear. The description on the O-form corresponded in any case only removed my actual training content.
The Brazilian IAESTE Committee offered only two excursions during the two-month internship, which were too expensive when only the interns' salary at his disposal. That's why I was not involved in this, and can therefore not say anything further about it. In Jaboticabal itself, there was no "local committee" and I was at that time the only IAESTE trainee in Jaboticabal. All in all, I would recommend an internship in Brazil because the people are very helpful and friendly. I've at least made no contrary experience. And it always pays to know a different way of life!