25.06.2020

Beacon Teen Talks talks to the CEO of Daqui pra Fora about studying abroad

This edition of Beacon Teen Talks was especially dedicated to those who cultivate the dream of studying at a university abroad. To talk about such an important topic, we welcomed an expert on the subject: Felipe Fonseca, CEO of Daqui Pra Fora  international studies consultancy and a Business Administrator from University of Winthrop, in South Carolina (USA).

The conversation was mediated by director Luciana Leite which brought the main questions received from the students in Beacon’s routine on the subject and also the doubts of the public that accompanied the Live. Fonseca spoke about his own experience of studying abroad, when this practice was not so usual and technological resources were not so accessible. “I played tennis at the time and had contact with friends who were studying abroad, so my decision was based on these two pillars. There was still no one to provide information with a formatted process, so I sent letters to the universities introducing myself and talking about my curriculum. I got a scholarship to be part of the tennis team in Winthrop, and I went there to study Business. It was an incredible experience ”, he highlights.

According to Fonseca, the student who wishes to study abroad must start preparing in advance. “In the consultancy we have students who start the process in the 9th grade. The whole path counts points. It is important that the candidate has good grades, to be involved in extracurricular activities and to have an interest in achieving excellence, not only in studies, but in everything he proposes to do. His curriculum should be interesting in all aspects, his experiences, what he likes and which brings life experiences, how to help solve social problems, what goes beyond just doing well at school. “

The High School performance and dedication is also essential for preparing the student for the university entrance exam. “The IB curriculum will certainly assist in the international application processes because the university may not know the school that the candidate attended, but the institution is familiar with the curricular pattern that endorses the student’s assessment”, says the consultant.

Regarding the main study destinations, Fonseca points out that other places, besides the United States, offer university courses with excellent cost-benefit for students. “Canada and the United Kingdom are traditional, but the Netherlands, Germany and some courses in Spain have great options, including those in English. Academic quality is very good, as well as the quality of life and access to culture and can be very interesting choices. “

Among the most popular courses at universities abroad are Engineering, Computer Science, Cinema and Communication. Most courses may have equivalence in Brazil due to the similarity of the curriculum, but it is important to pay attention mainly to courses in the health area, as the structure of the courses abroad is very different from that practiced in our country, and can be more complex.

Fonseca also warns that parents should encourage their children’s autonomy so that they are responsible for their decisions and personal care when they are away. “It is the dose of daily responsibility that the teenager already has in his routine that will help – and a lot – his life and his routine alone, without his support network. “

Finally, the specialist advises the teenager to prepare well and enjoy the experience in a complete and dedicated way: “It is important to immerse into this new phase, to be with your head and your heart open to fully enjoy the experience. It is necessary to disconnect a little from your network in Brazil and build your network in the place where you will live for some time, to be able to take advantage of all that this period can offer in terms of personal growth and knowledge ”, he concludes.

You can watch the entire Live video here.