WWU takes part in events for Brazilian and Chilean researchers

For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, the Brazil Centre of the University of Münster (WWU) co-organized and participated in face-to-face events to provide information about doctoral and postdoctoral research opportunities in Germany. On 28 April in São Paulo and on 3 and 4 May in Santiago de Chile, information sessions were held with representatives of the WWU, Freie Universität Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, Technical University of Munich, Ruhr University Bochum, the University of Potsdam (in São Paulo) and Heidelberg Centre Latin America (in Santiago), as well as the funding agencies DAAD, DFG, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and Euraxess.

The events, which have been held exclusively in a virtual format for the past two years, aim to present the research landscape as well as the details of an academic and research career in Germany. The participants had the chance to learn more about the WWU as well as the other attending education and research institutions present, and to find out about funding opportunities available for international researchers who would like to conduct a research stay or even build a career in Germany.

The Head of the Liaison Office from the Brazil Centre in São Paulo, Laura Redondo, actively participated as a speaker and moderator in a Q&A session with Brazilian alumni, who shared their personal and academic experiences with the audience. In Santiago, Laura Redondo participated in the roundtable discussion "Living in Germany: Welcome/Culture/Language/Family", in an easy and open exchange with the participants, who were able to ask diverse questions about the challenges and cultural differences that a newcomer in Germany faces.

In both events, in the individual and personalised orientation sessions, the personal and direct contact with candidates for a stay in Germany was intense and very fruitful. Over four days, Brazilian and Chilean students and researchers were able to schedule virtual meetings with representatives of German institutions via a digital platform.

In the consultation session with the WWU, the participants were very well-prepared and frequently mentioned names of professors and institutes which might be potential supervisors or hosts for their research projects. One word came up particularly often: "enthusiasm".