In November 2023, “Campuls-digital” reported on a delegation visit to the University of Sao Paulo (USP) in Brazil. Then, as now, the goal was clear: in the medium and long term, a double-degree agreement is to be set up in the field of engineering. However, one exchange program has already been filled with life: Five Brazilian students are currently spending their semester abroad at Hof University of Applied Sciences, while Christian Hain, an engineering student, is studying at USP in Brazil.
The program at Hof University of Applied Sciences is coordinated by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Koch, who himself was an exchange student at USP 17 years ago and initiated the cooperation between Brazil and Upper Franconia back then. He explains not without pride:
The program offers our students the great opportunity to study at one of the best universities in Brazil. We are very grateful for the consistently great cooperation with the Brazilian authorities.”
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Koch
Diverse study opportunities in Brazil
The exchange program includes various engineering disciplines such as mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, environmental engineering, materials engineering and electrical engineering. In addition, German students also have the opportunity to study Computer Science in São Paulo.
So far, seven USP students have already taken advantage of the offer, including two in the winter semester 2024/25 and five in the current summer semester. They come from the fields of Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor). Prof. Koch emphasizes: “The program is becoming more and more lively, but there are still plenty of places available, especially for German students.”
Why a semester abroad in SãoPaulo?
A semester abroad at USP offers numerous advantages. USP’s engineering campus is not located directly in the metropolis of São Paulo, but in the quiet and safe student city of São Carlos. This city is located about 230 kilometers northwest of São Paulo City and offers a pleasant environment for studying. With around 15,000 students at various universities, São Carlos is a lively center of academic exchange and makes it possible to get to know a new student life.
Students also benefit from direct access to USP’s diverse research institutes. These facilities offer excellent opportunities for student projects, theses and exchanges with international scientists. In addition, São Paulo and São Carlos have many contacts with internationally active companies, including large German corporations. Volkswagen, for example, has a plant in São Carlos, which offers exciting prospects for internships or networking opportunities.
Personal support on site
Another major advantage, according to Prof. Koch, is the excellent support provided by the coordinator Prof. Almada at USP. He supports the students on site and makes it easier for them to get to grips with both academic and cultural life in Brazil.
In addition to the academic and professional benefits, the exchange program offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture and learn a new language. Many students report that Brazilian Portuguese is easier to learn than they initially thought, especially due to the intensive exchange with locals and everyday life in Brazil.
Find out more and apply now!
“For Bachelor students in the Faculty of Engineering, the 5th and 6th semesters are particularly suitable as a semester abroad,” says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anke Müller, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Hof University of Applied Sciences.
If you are interested in this unique exchange, you should get in touch now for the summer semester 2026!”
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anke Müller
However, it is important to know that the academic calendar in Brazil differs from that in Bavaria. The first semester runs from February to June, the second from August to December.
It is particularly desirable that the German students actively approach the Brazilian exchange students: “They look forward to making contact and are happy to answer any questions about their home country. In this way, you can already make contacts now that can be very useful during a stay in Brazil!” concludes Prof. Koch.
And THIS is what the Brazilian exchange students say…
1. What originally motivated you to study abroad?
João Vitor:
“I was mainly attracted by the opportunity to get to know a different academic culture, to make international contacts and to challenge myself by living in a foreign language – outside the comfort zone of my mother tongue. Since my arrival in Hof, my expectations have been exceeded time and time again. I have intensive exchanges with German and international students, build close relationships with professors and face the daily challenges of living abroad. I am particularly impressed by the university’s infrastructure and the wide range of opportunities it offers. I was also pleasantly surprised by the city of Hof – with its welcoming atmosphere and high quality of life. All these experiences have enriched both my academic career and my personal development enormously.”
2. Can you tell us about your academic background?
Lucas:
“My professional career started as an aircraft maintenance technician specializing in avionics during my school years. in 2022, I started my Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering at the University of São Paulo (USP). During my studies, I participated in two research projects: the first one was about “Investigation and implementation of an MLP neural network to transform data from a hot-wire anemometer sensor” and was presented at a Brazilian congress – a great opportunity to present my work and connect with other researchers in my field. in 2024, I started another research project as part of the AVADiP project, which deals with the development of privacy-friendly solutions for the detection of vulnerable road users using federated machine learning. This project is a collaboration between UFRJ and USP – two leading universities that are advancing Brazil in the field of AI and autonomous technologies.
I also had the opportunity to complete a summer internship in January and February 2025 before my exchange to Germany. There I developed the high-performance software ‘Ma’at’ in C for a company. This experience brought me into contact with real development processes in engineering practice at an early stage.”
3. What cultural or academic differences did you particularly notice in the first few weeks?
Daniel:
“What particularly strikes me academically is the practice-oriented teaching approach at Hof University of Applied Sciences, which is based on the principle of ‘learning by doing’. This contrasts with the more theoretical approach of the University of São Paulo. It gives me a completely new perspective on how to learn a subject.
Culturally, even everyday life feels like a new experience – be it shopping at the supermarket, ordering at a restaurant, using public transportation or attending lectures. All of these activities differ from my home country in small but subtle details, and it is precisely these differences that make the exchange so enriching.”
4. Can you describe an experience that has deepened your understanding of Franconian, Bavarian or German culture?
Daniel:
“One recurring experience that I find particularly interesting is the Franconian dialect – especially the way the ‘R’ is pronounced. I’ve spoken to many Germans here in Hof and noticed how this dialect differs from the rest of Bavaria and Germany. Whenever I get the chance, I try to talk to the locals to find out more about them and their culture. It fascinates me how even the smallest differences in language can reveal a lot about a person’s origins and history.”
5. What are you most looking forward to during your exchange program?
Pedro:
“My greatest interest lies in discovering German culture as comprehensively as possible. This includes learning the language and Bavarian idioms, visiting the most important sights and events in the region and tasting traditional food – including the famous beers. As a passionate soccer fan, I would also like to attend matches and visit stadiums.
Furthermore, I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge in the fields of engineering, computer science and economics, as the teaching concept at Hof University of Applied Sciences is strongly focused on the practical application of knowledge. Last but not least, my goal is to achieve good results in my exams and gain valuable experience in my part-time student job.”
6. What advice would you give to students of engineering, computer science or IT at Hof University of Applied Sciences who are considering a semester abroad at the University of São Paulo in Brazil?
João Marcelo (absent for photo session):
“The best advice I can give is to approach a completely new culture with an open mind and without prejudice. In Brazil in particular, it’s helpful to have at least a basic knowledge of Portuguese, but don’t worry: the people are very hospitable. Even if you don’t speak fluent Portuguese, many students get on well with English and will certainly give you a warm welcome.
The University of São Paulo is the leading university in Latin America. Our university welcomes many international students, mainly from Spain, but also from France, Italy and several Latin American countries. Particularly at the São Carlos campus, where I come from, computer science is an outstanding subject area. There is a globally recognized research center for artificial intelligence, data science and related topics. The engineering programs are also first-class.
In addition to the academic offerings, there are numerous practice-oriented working groups and research projects. If you get involved in the exchange, you can not only learn a lot, but also build great relationships and experience a new way of learning.”
