Tourism Studies and Exchanges: Before, During and After - An analysis on former exchange students from Federal University of Juiz de Fora (Minas Gerais, Brazil)

Abstract

Participating in an international exchange program is currently one of the main objectives for college students during their academic process. However, different aspects of this kind of exchange are still poorly studied in Brazilian Universities. This article aimed to evaluate the relationships in exchange studies performed by students of Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF) - Minas Gerais (Brazil), in the years 2011 and 2012. At the first moment the paper approached the concept of study interchange, its growth in Brazil, as well as in UFJF.  While being a theoretical research, the paper uses analysis of the conception about ritual and culture. In the documentary and practice part, the rituals and the constructions of travel reports were studied by self experiences and stories of other exchange students, where it discussed pre-trip preparations, events during the trip, as well as results of post-trip. For this purpose, a questionnaire was applied to a group of students who experienced the reality of study interchange from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora to universities worldwide. It was noticeable the need of preparation from for those who are involved, being it financial, emotional or even bureaucratic. The results presented here, arising from the experience of a student exchange program from the point of view of some exchange students, which could help to better understand the events that take place in the universe of this exchange programs and possible impacts in the area of study interchanges.