Who We Are

The Programa de Formação para Internacionalização (PROINT) is an educational, research, and community outreach program developed by students and coordinated by professors at the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU).

The program, created in April 2018, works in partnership with the Office of International Affairs (DRI). The team is composed of students from different areas of knowledge: Agricultural Science, Mathematics, Natural Science, Health Science, Human Sciences, Applied Social Science, Engineering, International Relations, and Letters (Portuguese as a second language and foreign languages). PROINT is a team of both national and international students at UFU.

It is our belief that the internationalization of the academic community is best achieved by encouraging PROINT team members to bring diverse thoughts and perspectives to the table.

We believe that UFU can make a significant impact on Brazil and the world; as such, we aim to increase the visibility of integration, cross-cultural dialogue, and internationalization at our institution. We work not just for the benefit of international students, but also for the entire student community at UFU, focusing on internationalization at home.

It is the desire of our program for each student, incoming and outgoing, to carry with them a part of Uberlândia to the world. In the same way, we hope that UFU can learn from each nationality that leaves its mark on our university.

 

Our Mission

The program's proposal is to contribute to the internationalization of UFU in several ways.

We aim to improve the transition process for international students by offering a warm welcome and continuing support. In partnership with DRI, we study the needs of these students and plan how to welcome and support them throughout their stay at UFU.

PROINT Letters teachers offer courses in Portuguese as a foreign language. These classes help international students improve their language comprehension not only to help them complete their academic responsibilities but also to help them integrate into the Brazilian community.

We organize educational, research, and community outreach events. We organize integration events and cultural excursions to help international students integrate into the social environment of the university. In addition, we hold cultural workshops with speakers from exchange and educational institutions, and with incoming and outgoing students to share experiences. PROINT carries out research on relevant issues related to internationalization at UFU and shares these results with the community at events through presentations and posters.

We also coordinate the International Student Mentorship Program, known as MIGUFU (Mentor para Integração Global da UFU).

 

MIGUFU Program

 

MIGUFU (Mentor for Global Integration of UFU) is the international student buddy program at UFU. As with many sponsorship programs, MIGUFU is carried out by student volunteers from UFU, who sponsor an international student, providing support and assistance in areas such as classes, registration, housing, and food.

MIGUFU is also a way for UFU students to experience internationalization as an act of internationalization at home.

In 2018, we conducted a pilot program, collecting feedback in order to enhance MIGUFU and certify its participants. The goal is to give international students the best possible experience at UFU and to make their transition to life in Brazil seamless and comfortable.

The expression "migo" is a short and informal way of addressing friends in Brazilian Portuguese.

 

Happy Hour of Nations

The "Happy Hour of Nations" is a cultural event organized by PROINT to bring international students and their MIGUFU mentors together to share a piece of their culture.

At this event, international and Brazilian students bring typical dishes, and there is the opportunity to try different cuisines as a way of integrating international students and the local community. The event is a time for cultural exchange through cooking, music, arts, etc.

 

INTERUFU

  

The Week of Internationalization of UFU – INTERUFU is held annually.

INTERUFU 2018 was organized by PROINT, DRI, and partners in December 2018. The week started on the morning of Saturday, December 2nd, and ended on December 5th. Throughout that week, several lectures, workshops, and mini-courses took place, as well as oral communication and poster presentations.

The complete program and abstract can be found at: http://www.eventos.ufu.br/interufu2018 .

INTERUFU 2019 was organized by DRI through an organizing committee. The event had the help of PROINT on its execution team. The week was held from October 7–9, 2019, with lectures, workshops, paper presentations, and panels.

The complete program and the book of abstracts can be accessed at: http://www.eventos.ufu.br/interufu2019

      

International Student Reception

At the beginning of each academic semester, the PROINT team organizes an event to officially welcome international students. Accompanied by coffee and typical Brazilian snacks, the meeting includes statements from UFU faculty and staff, who describe the variety of student services offered at UFU. In addition, we discuss intercultural differences and common questions that may arise during interactions between international and UFU students.

 

Polyglot Teenagers (Adolescentes Poliglotas)

Polyglot Teenagers is a semiannual foreign language and culture course (Spanish, French, and English) tailored for teens aged 11 to 14 who attend the final years of primary school. Its main objective is to familiarize students with different cultures and ways of thinking. The project relies on a dedicated team. The activities developed take into consideration the young age of these students.

The program consists of 90-minute class sessions, divided into three 30-minute segments of Spanish, French, and English, respectively. Throughout the semester, participants interact with Letters students from the three language sections, members of PROINT, coordinators from ILEEL and ESEBA, as well as exchange students at UFU who speak at least one of the aforementioned languages.

The goals of Polyglot Teenagers are:

• To foster familiarity with foreign languages and cultures, promoting multilingualism and welcoming diversity.

• To offer a course in Spanish, French, and English for adolescents aged 11 to 14.

• To explore cultural aspects of Spanish-speaking, French-speaking, and English-speaking countries.

• To promote interaction between international UFU students and other participants.

• To propose innovative pedagogical activities and educational experiences and to evaluate their quality.

 

 

Coordination

The program is coordinated by the director of the Office of International Affairs, Waldenor Barros Moraes Filho, PhD, and by Valeska Virgínia Soares Souza, PhD, Maíra Sueco Maegava Córdula, PhD, and Verônica Angélica Freitas de Paula, PhD.

 

Contact us

Office Hours

Monday-Friday 8am - 12pm and 1pm - 5pm

E-mail: prointufu@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prointufu/

Instagram: @prointufu

 

Location

Reitoria (Building 3P), Room 3P02, to the right of the DRI office

Instagram: @prointufu