UCSC Marine Biology Student Obtains Pacific Alliance Scholarship

During the second semester of 2023, he will have the opportunity to travel to Mexico to the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo.

By Jean Pierre Molina M., Journalist UCSC.- Gabriel Mazo, a third-year student of Marine Biology at the Catholic University of the Santísima Concepción (UCSC) recently obtained the Pacific Alliance Scholarship. With the support of the degree and the Directorate of Institutional Relations and Liaison (DRIV UCSC) Gabriel Mazo began with the procedures to be able to apply and learn about the process.

“I entered the race in 2021 and I always had the idea of ​​doing an exchange. We were shown this option when we entered our first year, we had a DRIV talk and it caught my attention. It motivates me to see how they work in Marine Biology, but from another institution,” said the student.

This scholarship covers travel tickets, as well as a monthly allowance and medical insurance. During the application process, he had a letter of intent, advised by the head of the UCSC Marine Biology course, Dr. Paola González. Later, by attending informative talks, he decided to apply to the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo in Mexico, mainly motivated by the curriculum offered by said institution.

Regarding the expectations of this experience, Gabriel Mazo considers it a challenge to live the exchange both academically and personally. “The courses that I will take are about diving, taxonomy and evolution. Always considering taking branches that complement our curriculum. I will also study herpetology, which studies the basic biology of amphibians and reptiles, ”he explained, with the idea of ​​learning about species found in Mexico.

On a personal level, he also considers it a high challenge. “I am a native of Castro. Already the fact of studying in Concepción is a great change. My idea is to test myself on a personal level, by being in another country. I’m already looking for accommodation, trying to locate myself on the map, I’m already studying those aspects. I am also interested in learning about Mexican culture, learning about places and their traditions, ”he explained.

Finally, an important aspect for Gabriel was to successfully finish the current first semester in Marine Biology, at the same time that he applied to this exchange, with the procedures that this requires. “Even while still in Chile, the issue of application procedures and finding out about the permit, passport or visa, takes time. But without neglecting the studies. I have also been finding out about the place where I am going to stay, especially that it is close to the university where I am going to study ”, he concluded.

The exchange begins in mid-August 2023 and runs until February of the next year.