Brazilian Student Gains International Experience at GCC

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Brazilian student and GCC Scholarship winner, Daniel Kreling

BATAVIA, NY (10/06/2011)(readMedia)-- Brazilian student Daniel Kreling remembers his reaction to being able to come to study in the United States as pure disbelief. A student at FATEC Americana, a technology college near Sao Paulo, Brazil, Daniel won a full scholarship to study at Genesee Community College from a pool of 1100 applicants. He is spending the fall 2011 semester studying at GCC and enjoying the opportunity to be immersed in American culture.

Dan, (33) is studying computer information systems and computer technology at FATEC Americana and hopes to finish his degree by the summer of 2013. While at GCC he is taking a full course load including computer technology classes, French and public speaking. He is gaining a wealth of knowledge while at GCC including learning a new language.

"I'm really gaining a lot of new experiences and knowledge because I'm taking classes that are not offered at FATEC back in Brazil," Dan said. "I'm enjoying Public Speaking and French, although French is difficult to learn because I'm learning it in my second language."

Dan chose to study at FATEC Americana after deciding to switch careers. Dan originally studied psychology and had his own psychoanalysis/counseling practice. After his practice's business slowed, he decided to return to school to study computer programming. While studying at FATEC, he worked for IBM. He hopes when he returns to Brazil in December that he will be able to acquire another position at IBM. His dream job would be to work in a software company where he could be involved in computer programming and software development.

Sponsoring Dan's scholarship was Grupo Santander Bank, a well known Spanish bank. Dan competed in the areas of English skills, academic record and background experience when he applied for the scholarship. In addition to the scholarship to study in the United States, Dan won a three-day all expense paid trip to a Formula One race, his favorite sport, and the opportunity to sit in the "pit" with the drivers and be presented with his scholarship in front of the race crowds.

"When I heard that I had won, I was very surprised! I kept asking 'are you kidding me?' I was lucky my wife supported my decision to study abroad. I realized I had nothing to lose."

Dan is originally from the state of Sao Paulo and still resides there with his wife Cibele, a teacher back in Sao Paulo. Together they have a Dalmatian named Lana, whom Dan misses very much. Dan is grateful for his experiences so far at GCC.

"I have felt so welcomed here at GCC," Dan said.

This was not Dan's first opportunity to study in the United States. While he studied psychology previously, he spent a year studying at a Florida University.

"Coming here has really changed a lot of my perceptions of American culture and studying in the United States. I'm really grateful to have this opportunity."

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