Watching them pass by, no native citizen would be able to distinguish the group of young people from the many other groups of tourists who visit Olhão and roam the streets of its typical neighborhoods. And if, for the time being, the students of the University of Algarve who have arrived in recent days, coming from 50 countries, still cannot hide that they are not from the Algarve, with the help given by the UAlg's International Relations and Mobility Office (GRIM), it's foreseeable that they'll soon be able to pass for locals.
This department of the Algarve university, responsible for welcoming and supporting students who arrive under various international programs and protocols, promoted a welcome week, the «Orientation Week», which serves as a push for the adaptation of newcomers from abroad.
An initiative aimed at around 500 students who come from different continents to, for the most part, spend the first semester of this school year studying at UAlg.
O Sul Informação met some of these young people last week, on a visit they made to Olhão, one of the initiatives proposed by the GRIM.
In addition to visiting the Museum and the Historical Center of the City, the students had the opportunity to take a walk along the Ria Formosa, in the Caique «Bom Sucesso», a replica of the boat that, in the XNUMXth century, crossed the South Atlantic to bring new things to the king, who was in Brazil, of the expulsion of the French invaders from Olhão and the Algarve.
Bringing shy people together with sociable ones, in a limited space, over a relatively long period, has always been a good way to promote human interaction. This case was no different. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the lagoon area of the central Algarve, languages quickly became loose and conversations became animated.
It soon becomes clear that Oleksii Kosenko has no difficulty interacting. The Ukrainian student chose UAlg to do a two-year master's degree in Psychology and does not hide the enthusiasm he feels for what he has seen in the region, since he arrived, accompanied by his wife.
“People are very nice and we're enjoying it a lot. We arrived a week ago and we already love the region», he assured.
“I read a lot about UAlg on the Internet and I knew there was an Erasmus Mundus program, of which my university was a part. I had already been to Greece, on a summer program and the weather was very good. And I decided it would be good to come here to pursue my studies, where I can learn and also have a little fun», he said.
Oleksii had never been to the Algarve before, but he received several references from the region from professors at his home university, in the Ukrainian region of Crimea, but also from professor Igor Khmelinskii, who has taught at UAlg for many years and also came from Ukraine.
And the praise goes to… the Mobility Office
Oleksii Kosenko was full of praise for the way he was received in the Algarve. “The people in the Mobility Department were fantastic. They helped us with everything we needed and gave us a support that, honestly, goes beyond words», praised the Ukrainian master's student.
“They started by giving us a place to live and they are always available to solve any question or problems we may have, or even, as they say, to prevent any problems from happening. The program works and I'm enjoying it a lot», he said.
An opinion that has a lot to do with the dedication of the department's elements, which help international students to solve the most varied types of problems.
Also Mine Karabulut and Akkiz Gankaya are visibly satisfied. The two Turkish students, in somewhat hesitant English, explain that they had a teacher who knew the Algarve and told them “you have to go there”.
The two Food Engineering students take the opportunity to get to know the region better before a six-month period of Erasmus Mundus, but also to catch a fresh drink. “Here the weather is good, it's less hot than where we came from, in southern Turkey. It's very hot there at this point,” Mine said.
GRIM every year deals with students coming from very different countries, geographically and culturally. And there are many problems that end up solving to help these international students.
«From talking to the landlords, so that they can have access to the Internet, looking for bicycles, going to the doctor, making the bridge with the teachers… we do a little of everything», explained Ana Nunes, one of the technicians at the office.
«Some are very shy. For example, those who come from countries like Iran or Iraq, mostly girls. When they arrive, they usually come with a veil and cover themselves. After a few months, they start to westernize, drop the veil and take the opportunity to have fun. And many no longer want to leave here», he revealed, laughing.
These days, Ana Nunes has been particularly busy accompanying the newcomers. And no wonder, as there are many activities scheduled.
In addition to the boat trip on the Ria Formosa and visit to Olhão, welcome sessions were scheduled, where the region, its history and culture are made known, trips to Zoomarine and visits to UAlg campuses.
On Wednesday, 140 of these students were able to learn more about the region's cuisine, on a visit to Tertúlia Algarvia, recently opened space in Vila-Adentro de Faro.
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