The Federal University of ABC (UFABC), through its International Affairs Office (ARI), held its Integration Days on September 9 and 11 to welcome international students participating in academic mobility programs during the third academic term of 2026.
This term, UFABC welcomes 16 undergraduate and graduate students from Germany, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, the Netherlands, and Uruguay. They are joining the University through agreements with partner institutions and international academic mobility programs, such as the ESCALA Undergraduate Student Program of the Association of Universities of the Montevideo Group (AUGM) and the Latin American Academic Exchange Program (PILA).
UFABC students participating in the MATES Program, which provides support and guidance to international students throughout their stay at the University, also took part in the activities. Among other activities, the program provides support before and during the mobility period, participation in integration activities, and assistance with adapting to UFABC’s academic routine. In this edition, some of the MATES are students who have previously participated in academic mobility programs at UFABC and are now helping welcome international students to the University.
The activities began on Wednesday, September 9, at the Santo André Campus. Following a welcome breakfast, the students took part in a paired introduction activity. Each participant talked with a partner about their background, hometown or country, and experiences leading up to their arrival at UFABC, and then introduced their partner to the rest of the group.
At lunchtime, the group visited an open-air street market near the University, where they learned a little about the tradition of Brazilian street markets and had pastel, a traditional Brazilian snack. Afterwards, the participants took a tour of the Santo André Campus.
The program continued on Friday, September 11, at the São Bernardo do Campo Campus. During a presentation activity, each student acted as an ambassador for their city or country and home institution, sharing aspects of their region and university with the group.
After lunch at the University Restaurant, the ARI team provided information about access, systems, and services that are part of students’ academic routine at UFABC, as well as guidance on immigration regularization procedures in Brazil. The day concluded with a tour of the São Bernardo do Campo Campus.
The Integration Days mark the beginning of the students’ mobility period and bring together students from different countries and institutions who will share their academic experience at UFABC throughout the term, strengthening the University’s internationalization process.