Each summer, Cattolica’s campuses are enlivened by the presence of numerous international students who come to Italy to spend several weeks taking various classes offered by the University’s short term Summer Programmes. What is often overlooked is that not only do students enjoy one of the best international academic experiences of their lives, but professors also have the opportunity to meet colleagues from around the world, co-teach classes, and accompany groups of students from their institutions to Cattolica. This experience profoundly impacts their teaching methods and approaches and allows them to engage deeply with their students.

Here at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, we recently had the pleasure of hosting Professor Viridiana Ulloa from Anahuac University, Querétaro campus, in Mexico. This academic exchange not only enriched the educational journey of Professor Ulloa and her students but it also exemplified the power of international collaboration in higher education.

 

A Glimpse into Professor Ulloa’s Expertise

Professor Ulloa brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in international relations, focusing on Mexican foreign policy, Comparative Politics, and International Cooperation. Her academic credentials include a bachelor's degree in International Relations, a master's degree in Governance and Globalization, and she is currently pursuing a PhD in Social Responsibility and Sustainability. This diverse background provided a solid foundation for her teaching efforts at Università Cattolica.

 

Teaching Collaboration at Università Cattolica’s Summer Programmes

Before arriving in Italy with her group of 11 students, Professor Ulloa had the chance to choose two courses to co-teach with Cattolica’s faculty. These two-week courses allowed her and her students to experience Italy as locals rather than tourists for a full month.
The courses she co-taught were Business, Government and the Global Economy with Professor Andrea Ariu and Italian Politics: International Change and Domestic Transformation with Professor Alessandro Quarenghi. The student cohort was composed of various nationalities, catalyzing enriching discussions on how politics and governments are managed in different countries and cultures.

 

Learning (and Remembering) from Your Students

Reflecting on her experience, Professor Ulloa expressed immense gratitude for the warm welcome and support provided by Università Cattolica’s international office. She appreciated the thorough orientation and the resources made available to her and her students. She realized that traveling with students for a Summer Programme is a unique experience that promotes personal growth. This experience allows professors to work and spend time with their students while adjusting to a different life in another country, even if just for a month. It also reawakens memories of their own student experiences, reminding them of the distinctive youth's inclination to find wonder in everyday moments.

Another aspect Professor Ulloa mentioned is the familiarity that inevitably develops from spending so much time together:

 

«You have time to learn about them, their families, and their backgrounds. I hope this is something we won’t lose once we return home. I think they feel like they have a friend in me, and they can come over anytime they need to.»

 

She continues,

 

«Sometimes we forget that young people do not necessarily feel the intergenerational gap that we, as adults, perceive. Sometimes they want to include you in their lives, and we need to provide them that space and let them involve us in their activities.»

 

Professional Growth

The co-teaching experience is also an opportunity to observe different teaching methods and adopt the best practices. Professor Ulloa noted that while teaching styles can vary, it is essential to remember that professors are not there just to entertain students but to build a teacher-learner relationship based on intellectual honesty and trust. She observed that sometimes professors are overwhelmed by the number of different tools and technologies available, which can hinder the learning process by confusing the means with the goal.

Looking Ahead: Future Collaborations

Professor Ulloa’s experience highlights the value of international collaborations in higher education. Such exchanges not only enhance academic learning but also build bridges between cultures, fostering a sense of global citizenship among students and educators alike.

As Professor Ulloa returns to Mexico, she plans to share her experiences with her colleagues and students, hoping to inspire more participation in international programs. Her positive experience at Università Cattolica serves as proof of the power of global engagement and the transformative impact of cross-cultural education.