The Panamanian student pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education highlights the human warmth, academic organization, and sports culture of the Industrial University of Santander during his international mobility experience.
Emigdio Murillo’s Caribbean accent blends with the hustle and bustle of the corridors of the Universidad Industrial de Santander. For several weeks now, this young man from the University of Panama has been enjoying an experience that, he confesses, “has exceeded all his expectations.” He arrived in Bucaramanga as part of an international academic mobility program and, from day one, he says, he felt at home.
“The experience in the residences has been excellent from day one,” he says with a smile. “I’ve been very comfortable and adapted very quickly, largely thanks to my fellow residents here; they’ve helped me a lot, I like them, they distribute the tasks among us, and everything is very well organized.”
Emigdio is in his eighth semester of the Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education, and he says that the UIS not only opened the doors of its classrooms to him, but also those of an academic and human environment that fosters coexistence, learning, and personal development. His stay in the recently inaugurated UIS student residences has allowed him to interact with young people from different regions of Colombia and abroad, which he describes as “an enriching experience, both inside and outside the classroom.”
When asked what has impressed him most about his time at UIS, he does not hesitate to answer: “The kindness of everyone, their dedication, how they organize themselves to carry out so many activities, and how interesting each program within the university is.”
His passion for physical education and sports finds a perfect home on the Santander campus. “I love the sports culture at UIS. The spaces for students to enjoy their free time and the different activities they do are incredible,” he says, highlighting the importance of having an institution that promotes holistic well-being.
From his experience, Emigdio draws lessons that go beyond the academic sphere. “The UIS offers you the environment, the infrastructure, the classrooms, the friendliness of the people… it makes you feel comfortable. Academically, it is excellent; the level of demand helps you grow as a teacher,” he says.
Emigdio, a student who, like many others, has been embraced by the UIS culture, leaves a message for other young people who, like him, dream of studying abroad: “To foreign students who are thinking of coming to Colombia, I say choose UIS. It is a university that challenges you, teaches you, and welcomes you. Here you learn as much in class as you do in everyday life.”
Today, between classes, training sessions, and new friendships, Emigdio Murillo experiences his academic mobility as a transformative experience, one that shapes not only his professional path but also his personal one. From Panama to Bucaramanga, his story reflects the meaning of internationalization with a human touch promoted by the Industrial University of Santander.
