INTO by CANIETI Students

For me, the INTO program represented the opportunity to get to know the field of multidisciplinary areas related to my area of ​​study. Before going to Texas A&M University, I didn’t see the potential for opportunities out there, beyond our borders. Participating in this academic-technological stay inspired me a lot and led me to persevere to carry out my scientific studies, and well, I’m already halfway there. 🙂

Personally, I definitely came back inspired. Professionally, I had the opportunity to establish some professional contacts with whom I am still in contact and perhaps we can establish collaborations in the future. Academically, I was able to realize the challenge it is for Mexicans who study in Mexico to be at the level of academic programs abroad. The curricular differences and especially the differences that motivate each one to enroll in postgraduate studies.

The CANIETI program was a landmark in every aspect of my life. Throughout my time in the university, I had always wanted to participate in a student exchange or internship abroad, but I felt it would be difficult since I couldn’t afford it.  However, I participated in a program by a private bank, which motivated me to pursue a graduate degree abroad, and completely changed my goals.

When I finished that program I was given the opportunity to participate in the CANIETI program, and while I took it hesitantly, that summer changed my life. It helped me clear up many things, set new goals, meet same-minded people and make friends from other parts of Mexico and the world. Two years later, thanks to the preparation and motivation I got from the program, I was able to begin a Master’s Degree in Software Engineering in the University of Texas at El Paso, and receive a CONACYT scholarship.

I’m very grateful for the opportunity this program afforded me, for the experience and for everything I learned. I would definitely encourage other students to participate: this program can change your life forever.

The INTO program opened the door to new possibilities and opportunities for me. In short, it was a great help to achieve my goals and gave me the tools to reach them faster than it would have taken me without participating in the program. I am a bit saddened tha program isn’t active anymore, as I had highly recommended it and I consider it a great opportunity for talented students looking to pursue graduate studies abroad.

The INTO program was the first step in achieving my goal of studying a master’s degree abroad. As of today, I can say that I have proudly graduated from Dalhousie University’s Master of Applied Computer Science, and had the support of my country through CONACYT. The program was very helpful, as I acquired a lot of knowledge during that summer, as well as the certifications that allowed me to apply to universities abroad. In the same way, it gave an indication of my skills and commitment when applying to the master’s programs and the scholarship for study abroad. I definitely think that such participation was favorable to be considered worthy of the support I received later. Additionally, I have been able to share the knowledge acquired with many girls in the state of Yucatán through Women Who Code Mérida. This program motivated me to coordinate a mentoring program in collaboration with the UADY Faculty of Mathematics, where I have had the opportunity to share my experiences, scholarship opportunities, advice and knowledge with girls who are studying IT careers. The purpose of the program is to provide a guide for girls to reduce the dropout rate at he undergraduate level, show them the possibilities and opportunities that the area offers, and motivate them to continue; just as the INTO program did for me at the time.

In my personal life, it definitely marked a before and after. That summer I met five of the best friends I have ever had and have to date. It has been a true fortune to have found people with similar goals and to be able to call them friends. Since 2016, we have supported each other to reach our goals, encourage each other, and help lift ourselves up. We have been together through the good, bad and worst that life has thrown at us. Most of us have achieved our goal, and the rest are walking the same path. Two years later, from this same group, love arose from a friendship and now we are close to completing two years together. I am truly, eternally grateful for the friendships that the INTO summer brought into my life and that without knowing it at that moment, I met the love of my life. We are currently making more formal plans and eager to start a life together.

I remember the experience with great enthusiasm and affection. Those months helped me grow holistically, and brought me many good things later. To this day we tell many anecdotes that we lived together during those 3 months, the places we visited and frequented, but above all we long for the time we spent together and constant coexistence. In fact, one of the group members later moved from León to Mérida, and for a short time we were able to have the whole group once again.

I would fully recommend the program to all students to grow academically, professionally, and personally. It is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. There are many colleagues who have subsequently managed to obtain a place in internationally recognized institutions for their graduate programs and raise the name of Mexico, so I consider that the INTO program is an excellent platform to study abroad.

The INTO program had a huge impact on my life! That’s where I learned about the existence of applications for drones and photogrammetry, and thanks to that I was able to create my company, which provides drone services for the environmental, mining and construction sector.

My initial intention was to pursue to a master’s degree, but for different reasons I had to start a business with what I learned.

Currently we oversee the quarry inventories of some of the largest mining companies in southeast Mexico, such as Mitza, Procon and Cemex, to name a few. Currently I am a certified pilot and I would like to use my experience to continue growing and sell services or training to American mining companies.

My company is www.aeriak.com

First of all, I’d like to express my thanks for the INTO program and all the people who are/were involved.

The INTO program had a crucial impact on all aspects of my life. It made me see what the world is like out there for technology and professionals. Even today, many of the things I learned in the internship I continue to apply in my professional life, as they have also helped me reach my goals. I feel that if I had not participated in the program, I would not have achieved many of the things that I have achieved today.

I was a student who hated studying English with all his soul, even if I was always very dedicated and even outstanding in other subjects, like Math and Programming. However, I refused to learn English properly until I participated in the program. After participating I really learned the importance of English in our professional area, and only then did I begin to take it seriously until one day I simply realized that I already liked English.

With the knowledge I acquired, I entered the Computer Research Center of the National Polytechnic Institute, where I completed my Master’s Degree. I also continued my English language training until I reached the necessary level to perform professionally in an international company. Today I have a job that I love and where I feel valued, in one of the leading technology companies in the world (Oracle), and where I also work in the area that I studied in the master’s degree: Big Data Cloud Services.

I remember the internship as a totally beautiful experience, and I would definitely recommend it to every student.

The INTO / CANIETI program has definitely been one of the most important experiences in my life, both in my professional and academic training. My participation in the program completely opened my mind to living another culture, as well as living with people from all over the world. The research experience carried out with Dr. Zenón Medina has been the best, since it awakened in me a passion for research, innovation and technological development, for which I am very grateful.

 The experience helped me a lot in all areas. As a professional it allowed me to improve myself day by day and I have climbed several positions at the work level, not derived from my participation in the program, but as a result of the training and academic and professional experience received. On a personal level, it has left a mark and a goal I have yet to complete, which is pursuing a Ph.D.

The INTO program gave me a broad overview of the world in terms of cultures in daily life and at work. It showed me a side of the world of science and knowledge that I might not have even imagined at that time in my life. It also gave me skills and pace of work that are useful to me to this day. It gave me abilities and competencies that I might not have acquired otherwise. Academically it taught me ways to organize myself and solve problems. In short, it was a fascinating experience, a watershed in my life.

The CANIETI program was the one that gave me the boost to pursue a graduate degree. My work life was stagnant; I spent seven and a half years working as a teacher and could not even land a part-time position at my institution.

On the academic side, there are many similarities between what I experienced at Texas A&M and what I experience at the University of Calgary. The academic load is similar, and the experience of a summer abroad helped me reduce the culture shock when I moved to another country.

I remember the experience as demanding but full of satisfaction. I was fortunate to have a good advisor (Dr. Daniel Jiménez). Texas A&M University was an excellent host and I had the joy of making excellent friends with whom I still maintain contact. We are all currently pursuing a postgraduate degree, one at Texas A&M, another in Merida, and myself at the University of Calgary.

When I was still teaching, I made sure to notify my students of any such opportunities so that they too could have a similar stay. I would definitely continue to recommend this program.

The moment in which I participated in the program was decisive for me, since I was working in a medical equipment company and I requested permission to participate in the scientific summer. I honestly didn’t really know what area I could focus on. I thought about continuing in the medical field but thanks to Dr. Mary Preston McDougall from the department of Biomedical engineering, it was clear to me that if I specialized in the area of ​​magnetic resonance imaging there woule not be much opportunity for research.

Working with Dr. Xiayun (Sherry) Huang in the Chemical Engineering department, I had the opportunity to co-author an article: https://doi.org/10.1039/C6RA26286D.

Finally, this experience motivated me to quit my job and start my business career. I have focused on solutions for IoT, UAVs and electro-assisted bicycles.

The experience was totally enriching. It is a challenge being away from home with the pressure of the tests and the commitment to the laboratories. But that only makes you believe in yourself, learn to work and confirm that with work, effort and the right training, you can achieve whatever you set out to do.

The INTO program was a great opportunity for me for two important points. 

4 years ago I was planning how to apply to a graduate program in the United States. However, my financial situation was not very good, so the INTO program was an opportunity to take the TOEFL and GRE tests, which have a cost that would have taken me several months to cover, not to mention the possibility of having to take the tests at least 2 times to get good scores. The summer program was an excellent option to fulfill my plans.

 Visiting the Texas A&M campus and working with an advisor in my area of ​​interest was the most important. After finishing my degree I worked with a professor at my home university for one year after graduating doing research in the area of ​​Power Electronics. Arriving on campus and realizing that I could choose to work in a laboratory focused on the same topic was incredible. That first contact with my advisor was very important.

The program helped me to fulfill my plans in a simpler way. I remember the experience simply as a great opportunity. A chance to achieve something bigger.