With the objective of acquiring priceless academic and cultural treasures, 20 students from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM) are set to travel to Spain this semester and attend some of the most well-known universities where they will take classes that correspond with their respective academic disciplines.

This opportunity, which for UPRM students is known as a project called Olé RUM, is one part of the Exchange Program and International Student Services that are offered in all 11 campuses of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) System.

This initiative, which began in 2003, has allowed students from distinct academic disciplines and social classes to have the opportunity to expand their educational perspectives in different settings of social and intellectual interaction.

On this occasion the Rafael A. Mangual Coliseum at UPRM was the setting for the social activity and farewell for all students in the UPRM system who will be participating in the exchange. More than 100 students will transfer this semester to entities such as Universidad Complutense y Autónoma de Madrid and the University of Salamanca.

“These students are embarking on a transforming and enriching process. UPR has done its best in providing everyone with the assets necessary so that this trip will result in the transfer of successful courses and above all, an unforgettable experience,” assured doctor Mildred Chaparro, UPRM Dean of Academic Affairs.

Doctor Maria Barbot, Associated Dean of Academic and Student Affairs of the UPRM College of Arts and Sciences, explained that this year surpasses the expectations and achievements of past educational expeditions.

“Each year, groups of students benefit from distinct experiences. On this occasion, for example, for the first time students from the College of Engineering will participate, and a new entity, the University of Cádiz, will be incorporated into the program,” said Barbot.

During the activity, the participating students, accompanied in most part by their families, expressed their enthusiasm towards the opportunity to explore alternate places of study and have the experience of spending a semester abroad.

“It was always my dream to travel to another country, but due to economic limitations I hadn’t had the opportunity to do so. My plans are to study law and complete a double major. I am sure that this exchange will significantly aid in carrying out these two projects,” expressed Andreika Maldonado Arroyo, senior in the Department of Social Sciences who also received the CEAL scholarship, donated by Santander Bank.

Frances Herrero, junior in the Department of Biology, indicated that for her this trip represents a cultural experience that compliments the academic components of studying science.

“For me, to be able to travel to Spain and take courses there equivalent to those required in my program is a form of learning and cultural enrichment,” indicated Herrero, who is also the beneficiary of a scholarship granted by the Complutense University in Madrid.

Participants of the event included various UPR officials and representatives of the entities collaborating in the project such as vice-consul of Spain in Puerto Rico, doctor Gabino Iglesias and Eugenio Alonso of Santander Bank in Puerto Rico, entity responsible for financing a large part of this effort.

Olé RUM is part of the Hemispheric Center of Cooperation in Research and Education in Engineering and Applied Sciences (CoHemis), with its core at UPRM. Students who wish to participate must meet various requirements that include taking a minimum of 12 credits a semester and maintain a grade point average of 2.50. Also students must submit an essay elaborating on the reasons for participating in the project such as academic and professional objectives of applicants.

To obtain more information, those interested should stop by CoHemis, office 102 of the Center of Research and Development of UPRM or visit their webpage at: http://cohemis.uprm.edu/olerum.

The social and farewell activity took place at the Rafael A. Mangual Coliseum in which more than 100 students from the UPR system participated.

During the activity participants were for the most part accompanied by family members and friends.

Students will travel this semester to some of the most renowned universities in Spain.

Photos by Carlos Díaz / UPRM Press