NEXUS is a Physis mentorship program for international students attending Physics, Engineering Physics or Astronomy and Astrophysics courses at the Universities of Minho, Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra, Beira Interior, Lisbon and Nova de Lisboa.
The program is based on a Mentor, that is a student used to Portugal who gives mentorship, and a Nexa, who is the international student who receives the mentoring. This dynamic is intended to assist international students in Portuguese Higher Education, while allowing the creation of bonds and the opportunity to experience new adventures for both sides. This program lasts from 1 to 2 academic semesters, depending on the international student’s regime in Portugal, but it can always be extended if they both agree.
If you like exchanging intercultural experiences, get to know different traditions and people, be taught about the world and contact with international environments then this program is perfect for you.
And don’t worry, Physis will also help Mentors and Nexa all the way in the program!
Mentors
Registration Link: Mentor enrollment
To be a Mentor it is quite simple, you only have to meet the following criteria:
- To be a university student in a course of Physics, Engineering Physics or Astronomy and Astrophysics at a Portuguese university.
- To study in Portugal for at least one year (high school or university education)
- Being open minded and appreciate to help students academically and socially, namely international students (in Erasmus, from PALOP, etc.)
Being a Mentor means that, above all, you like to help and guide your colleagues, whether academically or socially, to know about the outside world and to show the city and the traditions where you study! This is your opportunity to conjugate your need to help others with the advantage of getting to know people from around the world and to make them feel like Portugal is their second home!
By being a Mentor you will develop social and academic skills, able to improve your multilingual and communicative abilities, learn to be flexible and dynamic, to make new friends and contacts around the world, get to know different types of cultures and perspectives, and for some cases, ECTS credits may be granted by your university.
Nexa - International Students
Registration Link: Nexa enrollment
Nexa are the international students who wish to get the mentorship and guidance provided by the Mentors. Nexa are the international students:
- Who come to a Portuguese university to attend Physics, Engineering Physics or Astronomy and Astrophysics courses, with a duration of 1, 2 or more semesters/cycles (see below).
- Who needs some sort of academic or social guidance and support, while studying in Portugal
- Who want to connect with a lot of different people and get to know Portugal, namely its traditions and people
This program will help you to overcome difficulties that you may face while studying in Portugal, and will promote your social connection and proximity with other students from the Physics community in Portugal by establishing different intercultural contacts. It will grant you valuable insight into a different culture, and most important, will allow you to grow as a person with the development of your personality.
To apply for the Nexus mentorship program as an international student and become a Nexa, you must fill the following criteria:
- You must be attending, in a Portuguese university, some classes, a semester cycle or the full course in the areas of Physics, Engineering Physics or Astronomy and Astrophysics.
- Attend to those studies for at least 1 semester
- Have willingness to learn and to be guided by another student
If you are an international student who identifies with all the above statements, then don’t lose more time and apply to the program! Let us help you!
Assignment process and Infos
The assignment between Mentors and Nexa is done by taking into account the following general guidelines:
- The Mentor and the Nexa will be from the same University – in order to be closer and better understand the university environment
- When possible, the Mentor and the Nexa will be from the same course – that will help to further improve the integration in the course
- Around the same level of education and age – to avoid a Bachelor international student having a much older Doctoral Mentor and vice versa, a Doctoral international student having a much younger Bachelor Mentor
- The Mentor and the Nexa will be from the same University – in order to be closer and better understand the university environment
- Takes into account the answers given in the Registration forms
This guidelines will help Physis on the match of students. Furthermore, Physis will also stay in current contact with the students to help them in every way needed and promote a good educational and social environment.
Physis will also grant, to all the participants, a “Survival Guide” with a lot of useful information.
If you missed the application process but you still want to join the program, either as a Mentor or a Nexa, you can do so by contacting us on recursoshumanos@physis.com.pt. Any questions or other subjects connected to the program that you may have can be answered on Physis social media (see at the bottom of the page the hyperlinks) or by the same email address.
Current universities eligible for the program:
- UM – Universidade do Minho
- FCUP – Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto
- UA – Universidade de Aveiro
- UC – Universidade de Coimbra
- UBI – Universidade da Beira Interior
- FCUL – Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa
- IST – Instituto Superior Técnico
- FCT-UNL – Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Activities and Awards
Physis will help both Mentors and Nexa along the program, by supporting them in every way needed, as well as providing valuable insight in the education system and different types of contacts when needed. We will also promote different activities and competitions, and also the opportunity to join a WhatsApp group with all the other Nexus participants, when requested. Specific university chats will also be available to bring closer Mentors and Nexa in the same place!
At the end of the mentorship, Mentor and Nexa will be awarded with a participation certificate that can be used either for your CV or just for a good memory!