As part of the exchange programs at Universidad de Concepción (FI UdeC), Fátima Herrera Quezada, a biomedicine student from Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Mexico, visited us during the last semester of the year.
During her stay, Fátima completed her internship in Civil Biomedical Engineering while taking courses in Cell and Tissue Biology, Physics, and Biochemistry. She highlighted the dynamism and commitment of UdeC professors as aspects that made a lasting positive impression on her. Before arriving, Fátima admitted she didn’t know much about Chile or Concepción. However, the idea of being close to Patagonia and experiencing a different lifestyle in a city far from the hustle and bustle of the Chilean capital motivated her to choose Universidad de Concepción as her exchange destination.
Regarding her academic experience, Fátima emphasized UdeC’s high educational standards, where she learned with a specialized approach. She also deeply valued the dedication of the professors, who not only helped her integrate into the academic environment but also fostered connections that enriched her overall experience.
On a personal level, Fátima described her exchange as a transformative experience that allowed her to step out of her comfort zone, explore new cultures, and develop adaptive skills. Professionally, she highlighted the value of learning within a different educational system and the exchange of ideas that strengthened her academic and intercultural competencies.
Life in Chile: Culture, Scenery, and Learning
Fátima shared that what surprised her the most was Chile’s natural and cultural richness, from its breathtaking landscapes and biodiversity to the unique idiomatic expressions of Chileans. “The warmth of my Chilean friends and their passion for their environment is something I will always carry with me,” she said, also emphasizing the cultural diversity she experienced despite sharing the same language.
