Event celebrates cultural diversity and reinforces the university's commitment to welcoming students

On the afternoon of Wednesday, the 16th, the International Affairs Office at FURG (REINTER) hosted a social event for the university's international students in the Estuário Room at CIDEC-Sul. The activity brought together students from various countries, who brought flags, traditional dishes, and shared their experiences and cultures.

Nicole Feijó, Coordinator of Academic Mobility, opened the program by welcoming the new students who arrived at FURG in the first semester of 2025. In her speech, she emphasized that the university would be their home in the coming semesters and reaffirmed REINTER’s support for them in any situation they may face.

With the presence of academic tutors, the event also marked the official launch of the International Buddy Project, a mentorship initiative created by REINTER to promote integration and support for international students.

The event also featured speeches by the Secretary of International Affairs, Dariano Krummenauer, and FURG’s Vice-Rector, Ednei Primel, who welcomed the students and spoke about the university, the city of Rio Grande, and the local culture.

Eliane Misiak, General Coordinator of the Foreign Language Teaching Center, presented the university’s Portuguese course for foreigners, highlighting the importance of language learning for better academic and social integration.

Following the opening, the Academic Mobility Coordinator and REINTER’s administrative assistant, Mauricio Terra, organized cultural presentations prepared by the international students themselves. Students from Cuba, Colombia, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Mozambique, and Argentina shared a bit of their traditions and stories with the other participants.

Nicole Feijó emphasized that the welcome event for international students is a REINTER tradition, held every semester:
"It’s very important for REINTER to meet the new students and socialize with them, but it’s even more important for the students — who are so far from home — to have a welcoming moment, to know they are supported by the university throughout their stay,” she highlighted.

She also pointed out the positive impact of these gatherings on the REINTER team:
"Cultural exchange strengthens and revitalizes REINTER’s work, which is constantly reinvented with each new group of students arriving at FURG. It’s a pleasure to be able to share these moments at the university."

The event concluded with a moment of fellowship among the students, tutors from the International Buddy Project, and the REINTER team.