Hayek Global College, a higher education institution based in Brasília, Brazil, 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 the ongoing engagement between the two institutions and marked another step toward strengthening their academic partnership between Brazil and the United States. In addition to exploring Hayek’s facilities, the director had the opportunity to speak with students and faculty members and discuss ways to expand students’ international experiences.
During her time in Brazil’s federal capital, Györgyi toured Hayek Global College’s facilities, met with the academic team, and joined students for breakfast. These meetings provided an opportunity to discuss university life, cultural adjustment, and the experience of studying abroad.
From the Classroom in Brazil’s Federal District to a University Experience in the United States
Founded in 1842 in Tennessee, Cumberland University is one of Hayek Global College’s partner institutions in the American College program, which offers an undergraduate pathway with the possibility of earning degrees in both Brazil and the United States.
Under the 2+2 model, students complete their first two years in Brazil, following an American curriculum, and then spend the following two years studying on campus at a partner university in the United States. Upon completing the program and meeting the academic requirements, students may earn an undergraduate degree from the American institution in fields such as Computer Science, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Marketing, and International Relations, among others.
This approach connects different academic and cultural experiences, allowing students to explore new university environments, expand their professional networks, and develop skills to succeed in an increasingly globalized job market.
When International Experience Is Also About Feeling Welcome
For Györgyi Mihályi, internationalization is about more than moving to another country or experiencing a different classroom. It also involves adjustment, a sense of belonging, and building confidence in an entirely new environment.
The director’s academic background informs this perspective. Her education includes studies at the University of Szeged in Hungary and Kent State University in the United States, where she completed her doctoral degree and conducted research related to the experiences of international students.
Having experienced this journey herself, Györgyi says she understands some of the emotions students face when arriving in a new country.
“I experienced firsthand what students feel when they arrive in the United States: coming to a new place, with a new environment and a new culture".
This experience also shapes her approach to working with international students. According to Györgyi, her work focuses on helping students feel welcomed and integrated into university life, while understanding that adjustment is part of the academic experience itself.
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 best represents this idea of transformation is connected to Cumberland University’s mascot: the phoenix.
One of the university’s traditions involves a symbolic bonfire. Students write some of their fears on pieces of paper and later place them in the fire. The symbolism reflects the idea of rebirth represented by the phoenix: leaving behind what holds us back, confronting our fears, and emerging transformed.
The tradition serves as a symbolic representation of the changes students experience throughout their lives. For those arriving in a new country, facing another language, and encountering an unfamiliar culture and academic environment, this transformation can take many forms.
The story shared by Györgyi reinforces an important dimension of the international experience: it is not simply about crossing a geographical border, but also about overcoming personal barriers.
Internationalization as Part of Education
At Hayek Global College, internationalization is an integral part of the institution’s educational approach. Building relationships with international institutions expands students’ opportunities to engage with different academic, cultural, and professional perspectives.
During her visit, Györgyi spoke with American College students, learned about projects developed by students, and attended meetings with the academic team and the leadership of Hayek Global College.
Hannah Hämer, Academic Director at Hayek Global College, emphasizes 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 doors to new partnerships and internship opportunities, supporting intercultural education and the academic skills sought after in the international job market".
The exchange between the institutions also provided an opportunity to discuss new initiatives and ways to expand the international experiences available to students.
What the Visit Means for Students
For students at Hayek Global College, having a representative from Cumberland University on campus provided an opportunity to speak directly with a professional who supports international students throughout their academic journeys.
During the meetings, discussions covered university life in the United States, cultural adjustment, academic transfers, and opportunities to continue their studies abroad.
For Rebecca Borges Walker, a student at Hayek Global College, Györgyi’s presence at the institution reinforces the commitment behind the partnership and provides 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 feel that she genuinely wants us to go there and that they will provide all the support we need when we do. She is always very willing to answer all 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 incredibly warm and fun, representing the university very well and making us feel that we would adapt really well to that environment".
Her statement highlights how direct contact with representatives of international universities can help students better understand the challenges of moving abroad and envision the opportunities to adapt 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 paths.
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