The College of Development Communication congratulates four BS Development Communication students who are serving as exchange students at universities abroad for one semester. These students are Jan Derrick Pertez and Kate Maybelle Abulad (Mendel University in Brno in Czech Republic, as well as Darelle Anne Ebron and Kyla Felise Ventura (Kasetsart University in Thailand).
Interested in becoming an exchange student? Learn from the experiences of our students.
Jan Derrick Pertez
Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic
Winter Semester (September 2022-February 2022)
Erasmus + Exchange Program
Student organizations
Ahon Batang CALABARON (ABACA) – UPLB (Founding President)
Society of Exchange Students U.P.
UPLB Development Communicators’ Society, Inc.
UPLB Gabay Volunteer Corps
Rotaract Club of Alabang Madrigal Business Park
Why did you apply for an exchange program? What inspired you to pursue this endeavor?
I applied for this exchange program because I know it will provide me with a life-changing experience, and of course, it would ensure my personal growth and abundant learning only offered by this opportunity. For my inspiration, it started during my sophomore year when I met former exchange students in our college, namely Kuya Keirth Manio, Ate Sophia Romilla, Kuya John Warren Tamor, and Ate Rainielle Guison. They inspired me to try it for myself. Their stories about experiencing a new culture, and seeing how education attained from a different environment are something to be treasured and shared. If they can do it then I am certain I can do it too.
How will your experience as an exchange student complement and enrich your Devcom education?
Through our program BS Development Communication, we are trained to view life from different perspectives, like how everyone’s growth is unique. My exchange program under the Faculty of Regional Development and International Relations will help me broaden my understanding of our practice on a much larger scale, increase my current awareness regarding the significance of development communication, and hopefully attain new approaches to tackling underdevelopment that can aid in handling our stakeholders.
Kate Maybelle Abulad
Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic
Winter Semester (September 2022-February 2023)
Erasmus + Exchange Program
Student organizations
UP Alliance of Development Communication Students (UP ADS)
UP Banahaw
Christ Youth in Action UPLB (CYA UPLB)
Why did you apply for an exchange program? What inspired you to pursue this endeavor?
Aside from the opportunity to experience the education system abroad, I applied for this exchange program to broaden my perspective as I immerse myself to foreign cultures and meet people from different parts of the world. I like to challenge myself to go out of my comfort zone in the pursuit of personal growth. I also aim to cultivate a greater sense of independence and adaptability in an unfamiliar environment. I always believe that the world is so much more and I would not miss this chance to learn its complexity while making precious memories in the process.
How will your experience as an exchange student complement and enrich your Devcom education?
“This experience will definitely develop my cultural competence and build my confidence in dealing with different types of situations. I will learn how to better connect with people and understand their worldview. My learnings from my courses at Mendel University will help me in honing my critical view of development in an international/globalized context. I hope to be a better development communicator after this exchange.”
Darelle Anne Ebron
Kasetsart University, Thailand
August 2022-December 2022
One Semester Scholarship Program for ASEAN Students (KU OSSPAS)
Student organization
UPLB Development Communicators’ Society, Inc.
Why did you apply for an exchange program? What inspired you to pursue this endeavor?
I applied for this exchange program mainly because I wanted to gain a new and exciting experience, in a new location where I could meet different people from all walks of life. I specifically chose Thailand because I had already been living here for 7 months prior to being accepted into the exchange program, and had already fallen in love with the country. Other than that, I saw being given the chance to study in one of the most prestigious universities in Thailand as a wonderful opportunity that I could not pass up.
How will your experience as an exchange student complement and enrich your Devcom education?
“I hope to enrich, not just my Devcom education, but my learnings as a student in general by gaining insights about other disciplines such as tourism and agriculture through the five courses that I am currently taking. Other than that, being able to meet other students from different countries and different cultures will broaden my perspective on the world, and help me further in my studies as a development communication practitioner in-training.”
Kyla Felise Ventura
Kasetsart University, Thailand
August 2022-December 2022
One Semester Scholarship Program for ASEAN Students (KU OSSPAS)
Student organizations
Ahon Batang Calabarzon (ABACA-UPLB) – Founding Creatives Head, Development Communicators’ Society, Inc. – Member
Why did you apply for an exchange program? What inspired you to pursue this endeavor?
The reason why I applied for this exchange program was because I just wanted to try to explore other countries for the first time in my life. I believed that in pursuing this opportunity, I would be able to enrich my experience as a student and be able to learn and grow as an individual.
How will your experience as an exchange student complement and enrich your Devcom education?
My experience as an exchange student so far has led me to learn about different cultures and make different connections. The degree program I am currently taking in marketing also helps me understand how to communicate a message better to people, which has elements that complement my studies as a development communication student. I believe that my experience here will help me explore other ways of learning about people and how to use these ways effectively.
(Miguel Victor T. Durian)
