Our students

Here you can get some impressions of what the participation in the SãMBio double degree program and the life in São Paulo looks like in reality.

  • 2025/2026

    Participation Report: Genetica Congress
    As a part of the SãMBio program, I‘m studying at the Universidade de São Paulo for over a year and am conducting my master’s thesis in an ecology and evolutionary genetics laboratory. My research focuses on phenotypic changes along geographic gradients, so-called clinal variations, among natural South American populations of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Towards the end of the experimental phase, I had the chance to participate in the "Genetica – International Congress of the Brazilian Genetics Society" in Belém. During the four-day congress, I presented my preliminary results in a poster session, which allowed an exchange with other participants. Their opinions and suggestions for further data analysis will help me to improve my thesis.
    In general, it was interesting to not only see the wide range of the presented topics within genetics and the other events that rounded out the scientific congress, but also the work required in preparing a poster and organizing the participation in advance. Participating in the congress was an enriching experience, both professionally and personally. The feedback I received will be valuable as I complete my thesis, and the event allowed me to expand my scientific network beyond my research group. The SãMBio program has offered more than just the chance to explore a different country and culture. It has also enabled me to be part of a research project and connect with a wider scientific community.
    I look forward to future scientific events where I can deepen my knowledge and continue building professional relationships. I would like to thank my supervisors, Prof. Dr. Rodrigo Cogni (USP) and Prof. Dr. Eva Liebau (University of Münster) for their support, as well as the Santander Mobilitätsfonds for their funding, which helped make this experience possible.

    © Universität Münster - Annika Scherer

  • 2023/2024

    Normally, the SãMBio participants take a field trip to the Amazon region of Rondônia, in the north of Brazil. As this trip had to be cancelled due to organizational problems at USP, the students took part in the course "Molecular Diagnosis of Malaria and Emerging Viruses in the Amazon". There they went on another field trip within São Paulo and had the opportunity to learn typical fieldwork techniques and methods, as well as how to collect samples in the safest and most efficient way from live animals. The following video gives you an impression of the field trip.

     

    The following video will give you an idea of the real Brazilian SãMBio experience. In addition to the academic experience at USP, the program also serves as a cultural education and gives space to travel the country.

  • 2022/2023

    more information will follow

  • 2018/2019

    This report gives more detailed insights into the SãMBio double degree program. The students talk about their everyday life in São Paulo and about the Amazon rain forest field trip to Acre.

    "SãMBio has definitely broadened my scientific, cultural and personal horizons. Today's young scientists need to be more flexible than ever and participating in the double degree program is the perfect preparation for that."
    - Veselina Trendafilova

    "SãMBio is a challenge worth taking on! The program has helped me grow both personally and academically and has created so many memories that I never want to forget!"
    - Jennifer Bubenzer

    "If you decide to join the SãMBio program, be prepared for one or two challenges, but you are guaranteed to gain unique experiences and encounters that will shape you as young scientists. In any case, Brazil is a special, beautiful country that offers you unforgettable experiences away from the lab."
    - Nicolas Schröder

  • 2016/2017

    In this blog Steffi and Lisanne tell you about their impressions and experiences in Brazil. It covers a wide range of topics, from visa issues to nearby beaches and bars, the excursion to Acre and the everyday life in the USP labs.

  • 2015/2016

    In this article of the University of Münster you can read about the program and a few experiences of former participants of the exchange program. In addition to their regular studies at USP, two students also went on an excursion to the Amazon rain forest in the federal state Acre. This video gives some impressions of this trip.