Unicamp registered a record number of international student enrollments for the second semester of 2026, according to data released this Thursday (13) by the Executive Directorate of International Relations (DERI). There were 201 registered – of which 188 had confirmed their enrollment by Thursday afternoon – compared to 123 registered in August 2025. According to Deri, these are students from 26 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa, who are at the University for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in all areas of knowledge. Among the new students, there are 155 undergraduates and 33 postgraduates.
“This demonstrates that the internationalization strategies and outreach to universities around the world are working,” said the director of Deri, Rafael Dias. “We even have a student from Uzbekistan,” he added.
Peru and Colombia lead the ranking of countries with the most exchange students at Unicamp, each with more than 30 enrolled.
“For us, it is an honor to be here at Unicamp, a university recognized as one of the best in Latin America,” said Colombian student Shaiel Villa, who came accompanied by her brother Estevan. They both enrolled in the Institute of Economics. “We are very grateful to Unicamp for welcoming us,” he added.
Peruvians Luis Angel Tullume and Naomi Loaiza didn't know each other, but they also decided to do an exchange program at Unicamp. Tullume will begin a master's degree in mechanical engineering. "My professors recommended Unicamp to me, a university with a great reputation in Latin America," he stated. Naomi Loaiza, in turn, will work with environment, technology, and development. "To study the environment, there's nothing more suitable than Brazil," she explained.
Japanese anthropologist and musician Takeshi Suzuki says he came to Brazil to study music. He claims to have been involved with Brazilian music for a long time, but now wants to study choro music in depth.
“Thank you very much for trusting Unicamp,” said Rector Paulo Cesar Montagner at the welcoming ceremony, held in the GGBS (Social Benefits Management Group) auditorium. “Welcome. I hope you will be very happy in Brazil, but above all in our community,” he added.
“I hope you make the most of your time at Unicamp, which is very rich in activities. May you acquire knowledge not only of our university, but also of Brazilian culture, so that when you return home, you can take a little piece of Brazil with you,” said the Pro-Rector of Graduate Studies, Cláudia Morelli.
“We are very proud of our University,” stated the Vice-Rector for Undergraduate Studies, Mônica Cotta. “We are proud of our research, teaching, and outreach activities, but also of our progressive character, which will enable rich cultural exchanges,” she assured.
The program to welcome new students began in the morning with the planting of flamboyant tree saplings near the Lake House. In the afternoon, the group received guidance on the functioning of the University's departments and services, as well as information about courses, subjects, and procedures.
In the late afternoon, at Praça das Bandeiras, the international students were introduced to capoeira – an Afro-Brazilian cultural expression that blends martial art, game, dance, music, ritual, and ancestral traditions.
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