My name is Amanda. I am from florianópolis, an island in the south of Brazil. I am studying a Master's in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation specializing in Water Resources Management.
Why did you choose ITC?
I was looking for a Master's in Water Resources with a more technological approach, using technology for water resources management, and I came across ITC. They also provided scholarship opportunities which made it possible.
How do you like it so far?
I really like it. It’s been both academically as well as culturally very good. It’s mind-expanding in many ways, so it’s been great.
The environment in the Faculty is open, professors are approachable, and they are at the forefront of technological developments, so you really get the sense that you are in the current state of the art of technology.
What do you enjoy the most about studying abroad?
It’s a lot of new things. It broadens your horizons a lot. Especially here at ITC, because not only I am abroad, but there’s also a lot of people from other places, so it’s a small world within ITC.
It’s a combination of factors. You encounter many different views and cultures; it’s something that I would not experience in any other place. It broadens your perspective about how others look at problems and find solutions.
How are you adjusting to life abroad?
I think I am adapting well; I lived abroad before. I studied Environmental Science in The UK for a year, so I already had this kind of experience.
Of course, I miss things, food, family, friends, but I think I am dealing well with it.
What does international education mean to you?
Getting together. Both teachers and students from different cultural and technical backgrounds come together and share their experiences, and you get a better view of the subject you are studying.
What are the benefits of a multicultural classroom?
People have different experiences. In their countries, they have different issues and different approaches to them. In a multicultural classroom, you get a view of how they do things. Being exposed to diverse backgrounds expands your view and it adds to your experience.
What are your future plans?
I am still figuring it out, but I don’t think I will go back to Brazil immediately.
After my master’s, I would like to stay around or somewhere else. My ultimate goal would be to find something or somewhere where I can do something for the environment and develop science and technology simultaneously. So combine these two things. I am still figuring out where I’ll be doing this.