On May, 2013, Luiz Fernando Pereira Bispo, by that time a 5th semester Forestry undergraduation student at Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, found out that he was awarded a Science without Borders CAPES scholarship. This program is held by the Brazilian government and provides international scholarships to Brazilian undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students. Before going to Australia for a one and a half year interchange program at the University of New South Wales, Bispo has developed research in Brazil related to the use of forest residues, such as residues from urban tree pruning and thinning used for manufacturing furniture, musical instruments, etc.
As he was looking forward to engage in topics related to his multicultural academic experience, the undergraduate student participated of the 19th Biennale of Sydney: You Imagine What You Desire. It presents Australia's largest contemporary visual arts event held every two years in Sydney. This year, the festival took place from March 21st to June 9th, 2014, and it awarded showcased work and voluntary participation.
During the Biennale, Bispo worked with art pieces monitoring and customer services. He was recognized for his teamwork and for his helpful and enthusiastic attitude throughout the event. As a recognition for his performance, the student was ranked among the ten winners of the “Volunteers of the Exhibition” Prize, consisting of a reference letter signed by the coordinator of the event, Frances Robinson, certifying that Bispo is suited to pursue a career in the cultural industries, an exhibition catalogue and a customized leather cover notebook.
Bispo said he is having an extraordinary experience because in addition to getting to know the Australian culture, he is also being able to get in touch with people from other places, like China, Thailand, Japan and Europe. “Australia is truly a multicultural country. The diversity of ethnicities is amazing. I am taking courses in business, management, politics and environmental issues. I know it is somewhat curious to win a prize related to arts considering I am a Forestry student. However, I understand that we must take advantage of every opportunity life brings us, and it is always a good idea to have an open mind for new academic, hands-on and especially social life references. These achievements have only been possible thanks to the education provided by my family and ESALQ. And my message to my friends in Brazil is: ‘Keep an open mind’. Explore our world because it includes more things than you can ever imagine and you may be surprised. My greetings to ESALQ, which I miss very much!”, said Bispo.
Written by: Alicia Nascimento Aguiar
Translated by: Débora Andrade Pereira
Proofread by: Marisa Aparecida B. Regitano d'Arce
Acom (ESALQ’s Office of Communications)
June 18th, 2014
