38 students, coming from eight countries, are welcomed by the university
On February 19th, the International Office (SVAInt), from Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (USP/ESALQ), welcomed the foreign students who came to the university, as part of the exchange programs. Overall, 38 students were hosted, one from Argentina, one from Belgium, one from Chile, six from Colombia, one from the United States of America (USA), twenty from France, one from Italy, one from the Netherlands and six from Peru.
In addition to welcoming the new students, Alexandre Joviniano dos Santos, from the International Office (SVAInt), presented the responsibilities of the Office and put the team available to clarify possible doubts and provide the necessary assistance during the period in which the foreign students will be at the university. The students also received instructions on how to access the internet, library and other important services of ESALQ.
The meeting was held with representatives from the Luiz de Queiroz Academic Center (Calq), the Agriculture Course Management (DCAgro), the Food Science Academic Center (CACAL), the Forestry Academic Center (CAEF), the Environmental Management Academic Center (CAGeA), the Luiz de Queiroz Academic Athletic Association (AAALQ) and the Language Center (CEL), all committed to presenting works that are developed for them.
Marco Antônio, 21, came from Medellin, Colombia, and explained that the professors in his country used to talk about the quality of ESALQ’s professors. “The University of São Paulo (USP) and ESALQ are recognized worldwide. I need to take advantage of this opportunity”, the student said. He pointed out that the experience is excellent for the curriculum and to find jobs or continue studying at ESALQ. “This year I will graduate and I would like to come back to study here. I would love to take a master's degree”, he said. Marco Antônio will study Forestry.
Garance de Turenne, student of Food Science, from Nantes, France, said she wanted to know another country and her friend used to talk about ESALQ. “She told me that the university was incredible and convinced me”. At 22, she will share an apartment with five Brazilian girls.
Homari Aoki, 21, from the United States, had already studied in Brazil for one year. “I stayed in Rio de Janeiro, but wanted to do more focused classes for agriculture and I came to ESALQ for this purpose. Here, I hope to have more knowledge on the subject”, Homari said. She also said that she likes the Brazilian culture and people. “Here is also a great place to learn more about agriculture, because in the USA we only have a basic knowledge of the subject”.
Alumni awarded in the United States
While receiving many young foreigners, ESALQ also has alumni making success abroad. Rafael Pedroso and Marcelo Moretti, graduated in Agriculture, now are graduate students at the University of California, Davis, USA, and they received awards at the annual conference of the California Weed Science Society (CWSS). Pedroso took first place with the best oral research presentation at the event, with the study “Uncovering the Mechanism of Resistance to Propanil in ricefield bulrush (Schoenoplectus mucronatus (L.) Palla) from Rice Fields of California”. Moretti won second place for his research presentation through banner. Marcelo's work was entitled “Assessment of Glyphosate and Paraquat Resistance in Hairy Fleabane and Horseweed Populations of the Central Valley”.
Written by: Alessandra Favari Postali
Translated by: Tobias de Paula Lima Souza
Proofread by: Alicia Nascimento Aguiar and Marisa Aparecida B. Regitano d'Arce
Photo by: Gerhard Waller
Acom (ESALQ’s Office of Communications)
February 19th, 2015
