Juliana Garcia's WOP-P experience

 Juliana García, Colombia, 2007-2009

I´m living in Bogotá, Colombia, and I work as a Senior Consultant / Consultancy Leader in Samper Head Hunting (a latinamerica head hunter, with headquarters in Ecuador, and presence in 5 countries).

During the master I was able to discuss with teachers the real applicability of what we were learning, given that a lot of things sounded very utopic and real life it’s not always like that... but when you know how to build a “perfect” HR system, then it’s going to be easy to try to make the real one very close to perfection (at least you have a clear idea of what you want).

I really enjoyed the time spent with teachers and students, because I was able to understand different points of view and cultures.

Make it real!! Try to really understand how you can apply all the knowledge to the real world, because that´s what companies are looking for… people with a realistic point of view, with the ability to think in the long term. When you are able to apply all the knowledges and generate added value to the company, you became an asset.

Juliana Seidl's WOP-P experience

My name is Juliana, I'm 30 years-old and I'm Brazilian, from Brasilia (capital). Well, I did Master WOP-P from 2008 to 2010 and I studied at the University of Coimbra (Home University) and at the University of Barcelona (Host). I started WOP-P just after my graduate studies at the University of Brasilia. So, after studying for seven years without stop, I came back to Brasilia in 2010 aiming to work. I worked in a HR consultancy in a private company, I did some freelancers as well with different groups, and learnt a lot there! However, after 4 years, I realised that I do love to make research, this is what I really want to invest on for the long journey, so I applied for the Doctoral program. This is where I'm now: starting my second year as a PhD student here in Brasilia I do want to do part of it abroad (maybe Australia or US) and as soon as I finish the courses, I'll try the grant for it. Moreover, I did not forget the Clinical Psychology and I'm finishing my studies in Psychodrama, I would like to work as a therapist and as an organisational consultant after my studies, let's see if I can manage both...

I have great memories as a WOPPer! Oh my, so hard to summarise them... In my opinion, interacting with diversity was one of the best parts! Having professors, classmates and living with people from another country is very enriching. I'd recommend to live with people that it's not from your country so you can practise another language and learn more about another culture. We also learn more about our own culture by being with them. The way each University works is very different as well, so it's important to respect, not compare them and do the best you can! Not exactly being a nerd, but do your part. Respect the money you receive if you've a grant or the money you're investing on it. It's possible to have fun, travel a bit, make great and close friends, live love stories and be an excellent student, don't panic! Moreover, try to choose a thesis topic that you like to work with, that you believe it's important. Then, afterwards, you can keep it. Probably you won't, but besides me I know different people who kept working with the same topic. Ahhh, I had two unforgettable love stories: with a Norwegian guy in Portugal and a Colombian in Spain. So, enjoy, be open! Nowadays, one is single and the other is married but we're friends, we respect and talk to each other, this is great. And I also know woppers from 2008-210 who got married and have children now!!! So, keep your eyed open. hehehe The friends we make as a WOPPer are probably forever as well because emotions are very intense living abroad (for the good and the bad moments..). So, do not close yourself, share your difficulties, be humble and kind with the others' difficulties as well. Ask for help if you need and help your colleagues. I already visited lots of them (specially Brazilians and Colombians) after the Master's over. In November, I'll be the Godmother of a WOPPer from Salvador, who is getting married and I'm so happy to be able to be there! Well, I'll write a book if I keep going, so: have fun, work hard, respect yourself (qualities and limits). Be a WOPPer changes your life forever - for the best, believe me!

Carine França's WOP-P experience

My name is Carine França, I'm from Salvador/Bahia, Brazil and I studied the Master in Coimbra and Paris, between 2008 and 2010. 

Right after the Master, I came back to my hometown and I still live here. The same company I did the internship in Portugal hired my services as a HR Consultant (Vila Galé Hotels) and I stayed there until December 2014. I used to travel a lot from one unit to another, since they have seven hotels here and Brazil is a large country, managing HR policies, training and development to all 1300 employees at that moment. 

After four years and a half, I decided to stay close to my family and fiancée, so I opened my own consultancy company: Carine França - Training, Development & Coaching. I'm still in the beginning, with a few projects, but I'm trying to do everything just the way I've always believed and dreamed since the Master.

I have many and beautiful memories from that period. Me and my wopper colleagues are still friends, and we keep in touch frequently by whatsapp, although each one is in a different part of the world. The most beautiful memorie was our first Christmas together in my house (I used to share an apartment in Coimbra with another Brazilian girl, Juliana Seidl, which is going to be one of my bridesmaid this year in my wedding): lots of food we made by ourselves, drinks, candles, guitars, songs (we had two wonderful singers in our group), Christmas hugs and wishes (we must have a video from this). 

That was my first Christmas far away from my family, so it meant a lot to me. During Christmas evening, my "Portuguese sister" Filipa invited me and the colombian Francisco to her house. And it was very emotional. Our first experience in a truly Portuguese family, at Christmas. And we were received as a part of the family by her grandma, grandpa, mother, father, sister, aunts, cousins...

Each wopper from that period has a place in my heart, I love them all. We travelled together, lived together, had so many and unforgettable adventures! It's very sad we couldn't meet everyone yet, but at least the Brazilian woppers I have already seen some times. Sabrina is the other Brazilian girl I used to live with in the last semester, in Lisbon, and it was wonderful to be in her wedding here in Brazil and at the hospital when she had her first baby. 

We also had a wedding right after the Winter School (a Mexican to a Portuguese)! So many of us went and had lots of fun together. It was like a farewell for some of us, but it's a very good memory also. I could write more, but it would take much more time! Thanks for bringing me back to those times.

If I could give some advice it would be:

1. Enjoy every second (it's gets to the end faster that it seems).

2. Make real friends, be open to diversity.

3. Try to know as many cultures as you can.

4. If you want to go back to your hometown, look for a company that also has units in your country/city.

5. Finish your thesis, with quality, as soon as you can (even some days before the deadlines), so that you can relax at the end, prepare your vacations or your last days as a wopper.

6. Have fun, much fun!