Shaping Global Education Leaders: UC Chile Master of Education Drives International Impact
Jennifer Melo and Horacio Cornejo, both students in the UC Chile Master of Education program, share their experiences of globalization in Spain and Brazil.
photo_camera The UC Master of Education program aspires to the interdisciplinary training of specialists so that they can contribute collaboratively to the improvement of educational practices and policies. (Image: Designed by Freepik)
The Master of Education at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC Chile) has positioned itself as a leading program that not only trains educational leaders locally and internationally but also offers students the chance to broaden their academic horizons through global experiences, foster connections, and create new opportunities.
Many students in the program have had the chance to live abroad while pursuing their Master's degree. Jennifer Melo is one such student. In 2024, she participated in an exchange program at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in Spain.
Jennifer says this experience not only enhanced her professional development but also contributed to her personal growth. "It added new perspectives and discussions on education, as well as insights into the different educational frameworks of each country," she explains.
Another student, Horacio Cornejo, will also take advantage of the U C ChileMaster in Education's global opportunities. In early 2025, Horacio, who is enrolled in the Higher Education track, will attend the International Course on Portuguese Language Learning and Cultural Immersion at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Brazil.
"The program, which combines classroom instruction with cultural activities, aims to improve both oral and written Portuguese skills while also raising awareness of the discursive and sociocultural aspects that influence the use of the language," Horacio explains.
A Clear Vision for Educational Improvement
As Jennifer Melo was wrapping up her Final Graduation Project at UC Chile, she received the exciting news that her exchange application had been approved. This granted her the opportunity to enroll in the Master's Degree in Quality and Improvement of Education at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. While in Spain, Jennifer had the chance to pursue the full program, building upon the research experience she had gained at UC Chile.
She explains that one of her key goals is to specialize in public policy. This opportunity will allow her to complement "the solid foundation I received in the UC Chile Master of Education program, which focused on leadership with a vision of improving educational outcomes, and expand that focus to include the quality of education, striving for continuous improvement in the educational sector."
"I'm really excited and just waiting to see what happens next. The classes are incredibly motivating, and they've helped me expand on the solid vision of Education that UC Chile has given me," Jennifer says.
Meanwhile, Horacio sees his upcoming trip to Brazil as a chance to strengthen his language and cultural skills. "It will provide me with the linguistic tools I need to overcome my barriers with Portuguese while also broadening my conceptual framework and helping me build connections with educational institutions in the region," he explains.
Horacio notes that this experience will enrich his professional profile within the Chilean Higher Education System, allowing him to deepen his understanding of student mobility, appreciate intercultural diversity, and recognize the unique characteristics of national education systems and their public and private institutions.
A Gateway to Globalization
Horacio also emphasizes that the Master of Education at UC Chile consistently provide opportunities to explore internationalization. "Leading academics have been teaching about educational systems and practices in higher education on a global, regional, national, and local scale," he notes.
He adds that this learning is enhanced through comparative research, direct experiences shared by faculty members with international professional careers, and interactions with fellow students from international exchange programs.
Additionally, the program actively encourages participation in research and innovation projects, allowing students to join research teams led by faculty members.
"We've been studying the Chilean national quality assurance system, incorporating a comparative analysis perspective within the broader Latin American context," Horacio explains. "These opportunities reinforce the global nature of the Master's program, providing students with a challenging and internationally relevant professional experience," he concludes.
