A Visit from Mexico to HUE 20 Years Later

On January 10, 2025, we had two students who participated in the Short-Term Exchange Program 20 years ago visit the campus. Both Amin Razo Alencar (2004SpS-2004FW) and Marco Sebastion Perez (2004FW-2005 SpS) spent a one-year term here as exchange students from ITESM, our partner institution, in Mexico. The Director of the Center for International Education Exchange who was also there during their studies had a pleasant time having lunch and giving them a tour of the campus.

According to Armin, his international experiences in Japan at Hiroshima University of Economics became useful in being hired to work for CEMEX (one of the largest cement firms in the world). He has travelled to European countries on business engagements, many of them the home for his international friends he made during his stay in Hiroshima. After retiring from CEMEX, he started up a couple of companies and thereafter retired early. Presently, he enjoys studying philosophy.

Marco, also said that his experiences in studying on the Short-Term Exchange Program (STEP) and his language abilities helped him to get selected as a trainee for Siemens. Six months later he was sent to Germany for a full-time position and has been working at the company until now. He has worked in Germany and Denmark, and presently, he is working at the Siemens Purchasing Office in Brazil in charge of Latin America.

Both enjoyed their visit to Hiroshima and to our campus and were very surprised at all of the changes that have occurred in the past 20 years. Many former students of the Short-Term Exchange Program (STEP) have come back to visit us on their own as well as with family. Many have told us that it was the most memorable time of their life! We hope to continue to promote international education exchange and to create memorable experiences that will be valuable for our students’future.