The UB and the University of California celebrate half a century of collaboration
The University of Barcelona and the University of California have celebrated fifty years of student exchange collaboration: in 1973, the American centre launched one of its Study Abroad mobility programmes with the UB. Since then, some 3,500 students from the American centre have spent time at the University of Barcelona. The rector of the UB, Joan Guàrdia, described the programme as a "forerunner" and a "point of reference" at a commemorative event, where the US consul general in Barcelona, Katie Stana, and Vivian Lee Nyitray, president of the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) were present.
The University of Barcelona and the University of California have celebrated fifty years of student exchange collaboration: in 1973, the American centre launched one of its Study Abroad mobility programmes with the UB. Since then, some 3,500 students from the American centre have spent time at the University of Barcelona. The rector of the UB, Joan Guàrdia, described the programme as a "forerunner" and a "point of reference" at a commemorative event, where the US consul general in Barcelona, Katie Stana, and Vivian Lee Nyitray, president of the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) were present.
In the United States, it is common for universities to organise international student mobility through Study Abroad programmes; in the case of the University of California, this is the UCEAP programme. Fifty years ago, the UB was the first Catalan university to take part in the UCEAP programme, and it has hosted the largest number of UCEAP students to date. Katie Stana praised the fact that university students from California can undertake international mobility at a "prestigious university like the UB". "We are proud of the academic ties that unite us," she said.
Vivian-Lee Nyitray recalled the history of the collaboration between UCEAP and the UB. "Fifty years ago, when the collaboration between the two universities began, students arriving at the University of Barcelona with the UCEAP were enrolled in the Faculty of Philology", she said. Nowadays, students can join any of the UB's degree courses. During the current academic year, the UB is hosting some 350 students within the framework of the UCEAP. In addition, next summer the Summer University will be offered for the first time to UCEAP students.
Since 2015, an exchange agreement has also been in place to allow UB students to spend time at the University of California. The UB has sent more than a hundred students to this American university, which has become one of the most popular destinations in the framework of the Global UB Mobility programme.
The 50th anniversary ceremony included the participation of Matthew Ray, who came to Barcelona through UCEAP about thirty years ago and ended up settling down here. “Studying abroad is one of the best lessons I've ever had in my life”, he said. Then, students Nicole Calbreath and Fiona Corr, currently on a mobility at the UB as part of UCEAP, talked about their experience. They alternated between Catalan and Spanish to explain that they are immersing themselves in the language and culture of the country. Nicole explained that her mother had already done a mobility in Barcelona and Fiona emphasised the importance of knowing the Spanish language in the United States, and especially in California. Both thanked the UB teaching staff for their work.
The Dean of the Faculty of Philology and Communication, Javier Velaza, then acknowledged the teachers of the Faculty who have participated in UCEAP over the years. "The UCEAP programme is an integral part of our faculty; we have made the best teachers in the Faculty available to this programme".
The Vice-Rector for Internationalisation Policy, Raúl Ramos, closed the event by reminding the audience that receiving students from other countries, such as those arriving thanks to the UCEAP, also has "a positive impact on UB students", who in this way share the faculty with students from different backgrounds.
Multimedia gallery
From left to right, Katie Stana, Joan Guàrdia and Vivian-Lee Nyitray.
