18/06/2025

'I've never been in such a good environment,' says IMPA Tech graduate student.

“I’ve never been to a place as good as this one. The facilities, the people, the classmates. It’s all very good, a very special experience.” This is the overall impression of student Nicole Freire about IMPA Tech. Accepted into the Bachelor's degree in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation at the beginning of the year, the undergraduate is excited for the next steps studying in the heart of Rio de Janeiro's innovation hub, Porto Maravalley, in the port area of Rio de Janeiro.

Nicole, 20 years old, is from Campo Grande, a neighborhood in the western part of the city, and has been fascinated by mathematics since childhood. "Since elementary school, I've always been very inquisitive, so seeing how things work and how we arrive at the results is very rewarding." Thanks to the efforts and encouragement of her parents, who only finished their studies as adults, the young woman attended high school at a private school on a full scholarship.

“I am the first person in my family to reach higher education. I really enjoy studying. That's the motto of my life, because studying makes you learn, and that's my main passion. In mathematics, it's the challenge that attracts me. Whether we like it or not, it's a field that doesn't have many women, so the challenge is even greater,” she said.

The student even participated in the selection process for the first class of IMPA Tech, but was not accepted. At the end of 2024, she applied again through the ENEM (National High School Exam), while also participating in other selection processes. “I applied to UERJ for Naval Technology and Construction, Chemistry, and I even applied for Medicine. I wasn't focused on getting into IMPA Tech, but if it happened I would be very happy.”

Nicole was successful in her applications and was accepted into the Chemistry program at UERJ (Rio de Janeiro State University) in 1st place and into the EsPCEx (Army Cadet Preparatory School) in 8th place among girls, while the IMPA Tech selection process was underway.

The young woman even went to Campinas, where she dedicated herself to the EsPCEx (Preparatory School for Army Cadets) for two days, but when she saw her name on the list of those selected for IMPA Tech, she decided to return to Rio de Janeiro. Here, she completed the subsequent stages and was accepted into the IMPA undergraduate program.

The surprise delighted Nicole's entire family. “My parents are very supportive. When my mother saw the college's facilities and all the support we receive, she was very happy and saw the opportunity I had seized, because everything here is very good. For my brother, I am a role model in his studies; he feels inspired because he saw that it's possible. When I heard that from him, I was very moved.”

At IMPA Tech, the graduate student is excited about the interdisciplinary foundation of the program. “The classes here train us to be interdisciplinary professionals. Nowadays, in the world we live in, that's very important, it makes a big difference. Plus, we get to understand many everyday things from a new perspective. That's really cool. It's important to have subjects that go beyond the general sciences,” she said.

The undergraduate program has a basic one-year cycle with subjects from different areas, divided between theoretical and practical classes. English, Language Skills, and Programming are also part of the curriculum. Afterwards, students choose one of four specializations to complete their bachelor's degree: Mathematics, Data Science, Physics, or Computer Science.

For Nicole, the adaptation process was smooth, despite missing home. “I adapted very well. Since I already had the routine of a preparatory course, I was already used to studying all day. The difference is that here the study is more focused and more in-depth. I read the books that are the basis of the course and exchange a lot with my classmates, but it's the practical classes that make the difference. I can talk a lot with the tutors and get my questions answered.”

The student highlights the student benefits and support from the Career and Internship Center (NCE) as crucial to her academic performance so far. “The assistance provides enormous dignity to our studies, increasing our performance in the classroom. I feel that living here has made me develop a great sense of responsibility. It's a really cool experience! In addition, I attend all the NCE events. I never imagined myself in a job interview, and I see that all this preparation will make a difference in the future.”

Before joining IMPA Tech, Nicole had already been exposed to IMPA's work through the OBMEP (Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad for Public Schools), but she didn't win any awards. "The test was quite difficult, but I enjoyed taking it, especially because of the challenges. After the test, my friends and I would go out and discuss the questions."

Now, the student is planning her academic future. “I plan to pursue a specialization in Mathematics. The next few years will be very challenging, and perhaps that's what motivates me every day. I never thought about being a researcher, but after coming here and interacting with some of them and seeing what they do, that desire was awakened in me. It will be a happy cycle, with success and many challenges,” Nicole concluded.