Academic exchange M1 · Rio de Janeiro · 2025
A semester at UFRJ
Introduction and Academic Challenge
In March 2025, I embarked on an academic exchange of six months at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), within the computer engineering curriculum (Engenharia de Computação e Informação). This international mobility project represented a double challenge for me: on one hand, to deepen my skills in data science in a leading institution in South America; on the other hand, to fully immerse myself in a new linguistic and cultural environment by following all my classes in Portuguese.
Preparations and Administrative Procedures
The culmination of this project required rigorous preparation beforehand and upon my arrival. The procedures began in France with the acquisition of the VITEM IV study visa from the Consulate General of Brazil in Paris. Once there, I quickly had to familiarize myself with local administrative formalities: registration with the federal police to obtain the residence permit (RNM) within 60 days, and the creation of a CPF, indispensable for daily life. Furthermore, the search for my housing was managed remotely and in Portuguese with a local real estate agent.
Academic Integration and Course Selection
Located on the island of Ilha do Fundão, the UFRJ campus brings together an innovation ecosystem combining academic departments, research laboratories, and industrial headquarters. I built a custom schedule totaling 23 Brazilian credits, targeting advanced subjects: Mineração de Dados (Data Mining), Aprendizado de Máquina (Machine Learning), Teoria da Computação (Theory of computation), and Computação Científica (Mathematics applied to AI). Adapting to the Brazilian university system, which is highly participative and centered on complex collaborative and individual projects written and presented in Portuguese, significantly strengthened my oral Portuguese and international teamwork skills.
Daily Life and Linguistic Immersion
Living in Rio de Janeiro means adapting to the rhythm of the metropolis. With classes and activities starting early in the morning to follow the path of the sun, I quickly adopted the carioca lifestyle. This immersion also allowed me to discover a rich and convivial gastronomy (the essential feijoada, churrasco, or açaí) and to practice Portuguese daily. It was through these informal exchanges with Brazilian students that I was able to make rapid progress and discover the local culture.
A Unique Biodiversity
Rio de Janeiro surprises with its unique topography between urban centers and wild nature. The Tijuca Forest, one of the largest urban forests in the world, was the scene of numerous hikes in immersion at the heart of a preserved tropical biodiversity. From the night climb of Morro Dois Irmãos to watch the sunrise over Guanabara Bay to the breathtaking panorama from Mount Corcovado, these experiences allowed me to measure the ecological richness of this megacity.
Popular Fervor: Music, Sport and Major Events
My stay was marked by major cultural events testifying to Brazilian fervor. My arrival coincided with the Rio Carnival, a monumental artistic demonstration blending rhythmic parades at the Sambadrome and popular street celebrations. I also experienced the national passion for football when local club Fluminense reached the semi-finals of the Champion League, transforming the entire city into a giant fan zone. Finally, attending the historic Lady Gaga concert on Copacabana Beach in front of over 2 million people will remain a memorable example of popular gathering.
Regional Discoveries and Human Assessment
Outside of Rio, I explored other aspects of the country: from the preserved colonial heritage of Paraty and the wild nature of Ilha Grande to the raw power of the Iguaçu Falls, on the Argentine border. Beyond machine learning classes and grandiose landscapes, this semester will remain above all a human adventure made of memorable encounters with local students and travelers from all over the world. This exchange at UFRJ consolidated my ability to evolve in multicultural contexts and reinforced my desire to lead projects on an international scale.
