Sun, samba and qualified employees

The CsF-program attracts every year several hundreds of Brazilian students to come to Germany for a cultural and a knowledge transfer - Systems Engineering at the TU Chemnitz is highly demanded

What is the first thought thinking of Brazil? First of all you bare in mind the sun, samba or football. But only a couple of people know that the largest country in South America has one of the worldwide most dynamic growths regarding economy, society, science and engineering. That`s why many industrial nations are focusing on the source of high qualified employees. The TU Chemnitz has also started to recruit young people.

"The program `Wissenschaft ohne Grenzen´, called CsF, offers an attractive possibility for qualified Brazilian students, graduates or postdocs to get a scholarship and come to Germany”, explains Dr. Wolfgang Lambrecht, Executive Director of the International Office. Both sides are interested in cooperation. Especially the Professorship for Factory Planning and Factory Management has a good reputation and 15 of 522 Brazilian students started in October to study Systems Engineering in Chemnitz.

One of them is Vanessa Pagotto, who got more information about the CsF program during an information event at her university in Sao Paulo. At home she has studied Production Engineering and because of similarities and parallels in content and her personal interest she decided to study Systems Engineering. "The Exchange Program CsF is very popular in Brazil”, says Vitor Augusto Fortunato Andrade, who previously lived in Belo Horizonte, one of the largest cities in Brazil. There he has studied Engineering and decided for Chemnitz because he likes the city and the combination of subjects at the Faculty for Mechanical Engineering. Both students have in common that they are not for the first time abroad. Vanessa Pagotto was in Canada, Denmark and a couple of times in Germany as well. Among others she spent two years in Wiesbaden. Vitor Augusto Fortunato Andrade spent time in the USA and several other European countries.

As they got so many different impressions in different regions all over the world the question turns up what both think about Chemnitz and the TU in direct comparison to all other places. "Very good”, they both agree. Life in Chemnitz is affordable, safe and relaxing. "The rental charge was one reason why I decided to study in Chemnitz”, admits Pagotto. "Everything you need is close. There is a copy shop, a supermarket, the TU Cafeteria, and a sport field.” Fortunato Andrade also mentions that he likes the German culture in general. Compared to Brazil the life in Germany is good for everybody and not just only for a minority. Furthermore both students point out that they enjoy the feeling of safety. "In Sao Paulo it is dangerous to be alone on the streets”, says Pagotto.

If you ask what they don`t like in Chemnitz and Germany the answers are less surprising: the bad and rainy weather, the food and the sometimes reserved residents. That`s why Pagotto and Fortunato Andrade miss their Brazilian friends, their families and the sun. Nevertheless they are looking forward for the time staying at the TU Chemnitz. "Even the cold weather has something good”, says Vitor Augusto Fortunato Andrade and adds: "I love snow boarding!”

All 15 Brazilian students, who are studying the TU Chemnitz course of studies, Systems Engineering, will be responsible for the further development of science and research in Brazil. Right now not only the Brazilian football team, the Seleção, is popular in Europe. There is also the huge potential based on the daily development of the country as well as the training of qualified employees.

Further information are available under: http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/international/CsF/CsF.php.en

(Author: Martin Blaschka, Translation: Jakob Landwehr)

Katharina Thehos
22.11.2013

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