Hayek Global College, an international higher education institution based in Brasília, welcomed Dr. Györgyi Mihályi, Director of the Palla Center for International Programs at Cumberland University, located in Lebanon, Tennessee, United States.
The visit was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the two institutions and marked another step toward deepening the academic partnership between Brazil and the United States. In addition to exploring Hayek’s facilities, Dr. Mihályi had the opportunity to meet with students and faculty members and discuss ways to expand students’ international academic experiences.
During her time in Brazil’s capital, Györgyi toured Hayek Global College facilities, met with the academic team, and joined students for breakfast. These activities provided opportunities to discuss university life, cultural adjustment, and the experience of studying abroad.
From the Classroom in Brazil to a University Experience in the United States
Founded in 1842 in Tennessee, Cumberland University is one of Hayek’s partner institutions within the American College program, which offers an undergraduate pathway with the opportunity to earn degrees in both Brazil and the United States.
Under the 2+2 model, students complete their first two years in Brazil following a U.S.-based curriculum, then spend the following two years studying in person at a partner university in the United States. Upon completing the program and meeting the academic requirements, students may earn a degree from the U.S. institution in fields such as Computer Science, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Marketing, International Relations, and other related areas.
The program connects students with different academic and cultural environments, allowing them to broaden their networks, gain new perspectives, and develop skills for an increasingly globalized job market.
When the International Experience Is Also About Feeling Welcome
For Györgyi Mihályi, internationalization involves more than moving to another country or attending classes in a different academic environment. It also involves adjustment, a sense of belonging, and building confidence in an entirely new setting.
Her own academic journey informs this perspective. Her education includes studies at the University of Szeged in Hungary and Kent State University in the United States, where she earned her doctorate and conducted research related to the experiences of international students.
Having experienced this transition herself, Györgyi says she understands some of the feelings students face when arriving in a new country.
“I experienced firsthand what students feel when they arrive in a new country, in a new place, with a new culture, when I first came to the United States.”
This personal experience also influences the way she works with international students. According to Györgyi, she strives to help students feel welcomed and integrated into the university community, recognizing that adjustment is an essential part of the academic experience.
This perspective was evident throughout her visit to Hayek, particularly during her conversations with students.
A Phoenix as a Symbol of Transformation
Among the stories Györgyi shared during her visit, one that particularly illustrates the idea of transformation is connected to Cumberland University’s mascot: the phoenix.
At the university, one tradition involves a symbolic bonfire. Students write down some of their fears on pieces of paper and then place them in the fire. The symbolism reflects the phoenix’s association with rebirth: letting go of what holds us back, facing our fears, and emerging transformed.
The tradition serves as a symbolic way to mark moments of change in students’ lives. For those arriving in a new country, learning another language, and navigating an unfamiliar culture and academic environment, this process of transformation can take many forms.
The story Györgyi shared reinforces an important dimension of the international experience: it is not only about crossing geographical borders, but also about overcoming personal barriers.
Internationalization as Part of the Educational Experience
At Hayek Global College, internationalization is an integral part of the institution’s educational approach. Connections with international institutions expand students’ opportunities to engage with different academic, cultural, and professional perspectives.
During her visit, Györgyi spoke with American College students, learned about student projects, and participated in meetings with Hayek Global College’s academic team and leadership.
Hannah Hämer, Academic Director of Hayek Global College, emphasized that the visit strengthens the partnership with Cumberland University and expands opportunities for students:
“Györgyi’s visit strengthens our partnership with Cumberland University and gives our students more opportunities to learn about the programs, opportunities, and campus life. It also opens the door to new partnerships and internship opportunities, reinforcing the intercultural education and academic skills sought by the international job market.”
The exchange between the institutions also provided an opportunity to discuss initiatives and ways to further enrich the international experiences available to students.
What the Visit Means for Students
For Hayek Global College students, having a representative from Cumberland University on campus provided an opportunity to speak directly with a professional who works closely with international students and their experiences.
The conversations covered topics such as university life in the United States, cultural adjustment, academic transfer, and opportunities to continue their studies abroad.
For Rebecca Borges Walker, a Hayek Global College student, Györgyi’s visits to the institution demonstrate the commitment behind the partnership and provide reassurance to students considering studying abroad.
“The fact that Györgyi Mihályi has personally visited Hayek not just once, but twice, shows how committed and dedicated they are to this partnership. We can feel that she genuinely wants us to go there and that we will receive all the support we need when we do. She is always very willing to answer our questions about living and studying abroad, even when they are not specifically related to Cumberland. Also, having been an international student herself, coming from Hungary to study in the United States, she understands our fears and curiosity better than anyone. She is also a very warm and fun person who represents the university so well and makes us feel that we would fit in very well there.”
Rebecca’s account highlights how direct contact with representatives from international universities can help students better understand the challenges of moving abroad and envision themselves adapting to a new academic and cultural environment.
Take the Next Step Toward Your International Journey
An international education begins long before boarding a plane. It starts with preparation, access to opportunities, and the decision to explore new possibilities.
Discover how Hayek Global College’s American College program can help you build your path toward an international academic experience.
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