Students from Germany, Colombia, Denmark, Spain and Mexico, who are studying academic periods at the University of La Serena, had the opportunity to share their experiences, customs and culture at the first International Exchange Student Fair, organized by the ULS International Relations Office.

On the occasion, the students were able to share with their Chilean peers the typical foods of their countries and relevant information about the universities where they carry out their undergraduate studies.

At the opening ceremony of this fair, the academic vice-rector, Dr. Jorge Catalán, told the students that the experience they are going to live will be very transcendent in several ways, since ''it will allow them to come into contact with another educational reality, with other ways of experiencing the university, even with other ways of approaching knowledge, which will add value to their training process'', adding that these experiences make it possible to broaden their horizons and create bonds of friendship and networks of contacts.

The coordinator of the International Relations Office, Mg. Dietmut Graeff, pointed out that this initiative seeks to become a space in which exchange students can show ULS students where they study, what their higher education institutions are like, their culture and countries, in order to motivate them to get to know other latitudes, realities and points of view. ''It is an opportunity for ULS students to meet exchange students and, in turn, foreign students to meet their Chilean peers since they are also eager to learn more about their culture, customs, traditions and idiosyncrasies.'' ', she said.

One of the participants in this fair was Anisia Ribu, a Romanian student studying Tourism in Germany and attending various courses at the University of La Serena, where she stated that she felt very welcomed, ''I like it a lot, everything is very familiar. and the teachers are very kind.''

In this first international fair for exchange students, framed in the commemoration of the thirty-third anniversary of the university, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) was also present, a stand where ULS students could make their inquiries. regarding scholarship options for internships in institutions in the European country.

University authorities, members of the Board of Directors, directors, teachers and students were present at the activity.