Four young Latin Americans who are currently studying in Spain explain why they decided to take the leap
"Long live the winter!" Exclaims Leonel López, a 31-year-old Cuban who studies in Madrid, "It's nice to live less than 28 degrees, to have stations ...", responds Joan Sebastián, 25, from Colombia, who studies for Being a physical trainer, María Brollo, a Brazilian PhD student in physics, says: "Then, when it snowed a few days ago, you had to hallucinate." Jenifer Márquez, from Venezuela, a Fashion student, laughs and replies: "Well, I have Very bad this cold, and more in spring. "These four students just met for the photo shoot and to talk about their experience, share views and experiences and continent of origin, but above all have in common the key to Be here: Spanish.
It is therefore easy to build bridges between the two continents. Spain continues to be an attractive destination, despite the crisis, to train in subjects where the country stands out. Science, fashion and sports call the public. Medicine, technology and science, as far as research is concerned, continue to be a reference. The arts too. And, of course, highlights the world of big data, the architecture of mobile applications and the Internet of things, which is launched in small and medium enterprises. In addition to sports, with the referent of the great football clubs, which attract those who want to specialize in management, in the most business-oriented part, or train as a physical trainer.
Also in the doctorate programs talent is imported. The humanities, from the most central and large universities, such as those in Madrid, to the smallest ones, such as Valladolid, receive students from Latin America every year. "It's a very demanded area," says Salomé Berrocal, professor at the University of Valladolid (UVA). "In some countries like Ecuador, Mexico ..., in many countries in Latin America, being a doctor is like having a noble title. They are well valued and earn a significant salary, "he says.
"Having a master's degree, an official degree, is a brutal qualitative leap for Latin Americans," says Graciela Padilla, professor at the Faculty of Information Sciences at the Complutense University. For almost a decade he has coordinated university master's degrees and own degrees. "The students coming from Latin America bring a lot of value: they are very hard workers, most of them eat the Spaniards, because they have a very good university education in their countries and in second and third language they are almost native", he assures. And what do they do when they finish? "Many want to stay," says the professor of the Complutense. The exception is young Ecuadorians because the scholarship agreement with which they come to study is usually well tied. "To avoid the flight of talent, the Government of their country guarantees accommodation and subsistence allowance and pays for their studies, but they sign that they will return as soon as they get the minutes, they are very strict," she says.
Fulfill a dream
Jenifer Márquez (42 years old) traveled to Spain from Venezuela and stayed, although her goal was not to study first, but "to spend a season to see what opportunities could be found in the country". In the capital of Spain she married and had two children and this year she has been accepted to study the Fashion degree at the School of Design in Madrid (ESD), a public body of the Community of Madrid where degrees, masters and postgraduate courses are taught . "This is fulfilling a dream. First, because being a public school it is affordable to enroll; second, because it is very difficult to enter, and third, because it is about studying in a cosmopolitan, modern city, where your creative ideas have no limit, "says Márquez.
With the same idea landed Leonel Lopez, grandson of Galician and student of the same school but in the master of interactive design, ie, creation of apps, architecture and web usability, and so on. "I'm passionate about technology, interacting, and I like to be part of something that you design and work, that catches me," he says. "Spain is full of start-ups and entrepreneurs and it's interesting the number of events you can attend to make contacts, learn and make friends, for example, the Google Campus." On these occasions he has received various proposals to join projects underway and about to be born. "We are receiving various awards and mentorships, as in the Think Big program of Fundación Telefónica," he says.