[{"jcr:title":"An academic journey that spans continents and broadens horizons","cq:tags_0":"area-de-conhecimento:ciência-da-computação","cq:tags_1":"tipos-de-conteudo:pesquisa-na-graduação"},{"richText":"The student Vinícius Rodrigues de Freitas, from Computer Engineering, participated in a summer program at the University of Illinois and returned to Brazil determined to deepen his work in data science applied to education  ","authorDate":"16/12/2025 09h10","madeBy":"Por","tag":"area-de-conhecimento:ciência-da-computação","title":"An academic journey that spans continents and broadens horizons","variant":"imagecolor"},{"jcr:title":"transparente - turquesa - vermelho"},{"themeName":"transparente - turquesa - vermelho"},{"containerType":"containerTwo"},{"jcr:title":"Grid Container Section","layout":"responsiveGrid"},{"text":"A native of Juazeiro do Norte (CE), Vinícius Rodrigues de Freitas, 25 years old, a 7th-semester student of Computer Engineering at Insper, spent last American summer immersed in one of the most prestigious universities in the United States: the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). In this program in partnership with Insper, the student experienced his first academic experience abroad and returned to Brazil transformed — personally and professionally. Vinícius is a full scholar at Insper and has long been interested in topics related to education and social impact. This inclination was decisive for him to apply to the public notice that selects undergraduate students for a research period in the United States. “I still hadn't done academic research here at Insper, but I was already diving into topics like data science and natural language processing. When I saw the public notice, I realized it was the ideal opportunity to have a first real contact with research, in a highly qualified and international environment,” he says. For two months, between June and August 2025, Vinícius was involved in projects led by professor Yael Gertner, a professor in the data science department at UIUC, focused on computational education. The researcher is responsible for courses aimed at students in the iCAN program — an initiative that helps students without prior knowledge in computer science transition to a graduate program in the area. “My work there focused on two areas within the field of education. In one, we developed educational materials aimed at high school students. In the other, we worked on teaching fundamental mathematical concepts, like induction, to undergraduate beginners,” explains Vinicius. In addition to working on the development of content and conducting a foundational literature review, Vinícius contributed to the preparation of questionnaires, class scripts, and proposals for interactive activities. Even after returning to Brazil, he continued collaborating remotely with the team — which is composed of students from different nationalities, education levels, and cultures. Learnings, challenges, and connections Despite his enthusiasm, Vinícius faced important challenges. The first was the language. “Even though I have good English, it’s not the same as being a native speaker. Initially, I struggled to express myself clearly, especially dealing with academic topics. But, over time, I gained fluency, mainly thanks to constant interactions with other students and professors,” he recounts. Another adaptation point was the food. “I really missed Brazilian food. I longed for a dish of rice, beans, and salad. It’s curious how this also affects daily comfort.” However, the overall experience was extremely positive. Besides deepening his technical knowledge, Vinícius returned to Brazil with new friends and a fresh perspective on academic research. “The group of Insper students became very united. The experience was intense, and we formed real friendships. But it was also very valuable to have contact with students from other countries, with different cultures. I met people from India, African countries... this really broadens your perspective.” Outside academic activities, the group took the opportunity to explore the environment and local culture. The students participated in trips, visited fairs like the Farmers Market, and even ventured into bouldering, a form of indoor climbing. “It was one of the coolest times. We gathered, had fun, and even made friends like Michael, an American who became our climbing partner,” he recalls. A seed planted for the future Motivated by the experience, Vinícius joined the Insper Institutional Scholarship Program for Scientific Initiation (PIBIC), where he is currently developing a project focused on data analysis applied to the legal field. Under the guidance of professor Tiago Tavares and supported by professor Mariana Chies, he investigates biases in judicial decisions related to drug trafficking, using machine learning tools. “Although the current topic is different from what I researched in Illinois, what I learned there was essential to understand the research process, from literature review to structuring experiments. I definitely arrived much better prepared.” His interest in education isn't new. Even in high school, he participated in social projects for democratizing access to knowledge, especially in Scientific Olympiads. Today, at Insper, he integrates the Pertencer project, an initiative led by scholarship holders to assist low-income students in the college admission process. “The idea is to offer academic and emotional support, provide access to materials, and create a welcoming bridge. They arrive and already know someone inside, which makes a huge difference.” And what comes next? Regarding his professional future, Vinícius is still considering paths. He doesn’t rule out academia but primarily sees himself applying data science in educational or social contexts. “I’ve interned at an education company, Arco, precisely in this intersection. I’m also considering consulting, where I can work on projects that have a direct impact on society.” Even without plans to pursue a purely academic career, he recognizes the value of research experience. “Today, to stand out in data science and artificial intelligence, having a solid foundation is crucial. Many professionals leading this field have a doctorate or master's degree. Research teaches you to think deeply, to go beyond the surface. This is essential for innovation.” Asked about what tips he would give to students interested in participating in the summer program at UIUC, Vinícius is straightforward: “First, apply, even if you’re not 100% confident about being selected. It’s totally worth it. Secondly, make the most of the opportunity to meet people outside your bubble. When traveling as a group, it’s natural to stick with familiar people, but the richness of the experience is in expanding. Talk to other students, professors, explore the city and academic spaces... These connections make everything even more worthwhile."},{"jcr:title":"Vinícius Rodrigues de Freitas (center) with other Insper students and Professor Luciano Soares (right)","alt":"Vinícius Rodrigues de Freitas (center) with other Insper students and Professor Luciano Soares (right)"}]