Zapopan, Jalisco, July 25, 2025.— Universidad Panamericana ’s Guadalajara campus is reinforcing its commitment to academic internationalization by offering international academic summer programs, an initiative that gives students the opportunity to have a global experience without compromising their personal or professional commitments.
Managed by the Office of International Affairs, these programs represent a strategic opportunity to acquire key intercultural skills in today’s professional environment.
Expand international and intercultural competencies
Captain Leoncio Monjarás Wintergerst, director of International Affairs at the Guadalajara campus, explains that the main objective of international exchange programs is for students to develop global competencies through cultural and academic immersion at foreign institutions.
“The experience of interacting with classmates and professors of different nationalities allows students to broaden their worldview and prepare themselves to work in multicultural environments,”, he says.
Unlike long-term exchange programs, international summer programs are ideal for students who cannot take a full semester off. “Many of our students work while they study, and this format allows them to gain an international education without disrupting their daily lives,”, the director notes.
In addition, for those who are unable to travel, the university offers “internationalization at home” options, which allow students to take courses online with foreign universities, thereby expanding access to international mobility.
Academic and Personal Impact of International Mobility
Students who participate in international summer programs at the Universidad Panamericana have the opportunity to take courses at institutions with different teaching methods, which enriches their academic education. At the same time, experiencing a different culture enhances their ability to adapt, their critical thinking, and their resilience.
Cultural immersion also presents challenges that foster personal development: “Facing a different culture presents a significant challenge that contributes to students’ personal and academic development, especially when dealing with cultures that speak a language other than Spanish and teachers from different continents. These situations foster adaptability, critical thinking, and cultural openness,” notes Monjaras.
Impact on the Universidad Panamericana
The international academic summer programs are part of the comprehensive internationalization strategy of the Universidad Panamericana, which contributes to the institution’s standing both nationally and globally.
Monjarás Wintergerst emphasizes: “International academic summer programs contribute significantly to the reputation of the Universidad Panamericana , as they are part of its comprehensive internationalization strategy, which is considered a fundamental pillar of the institution.”
The result is an improvement in the profile of our graduates: “By increasing the number of students with a global education, we raise the academic and professional standards of our graduates, who are better prepared to successfully enter international work environments”.
How can I participate in Panamericana's international academic summer programs?
Those interested can view the available opportunities on the exchange microsite via UP4U. Registration is done by submitting a formal application to the International Affairs, which handles communication with the host university.
“To apply, students fill out an application and submit their documents to the International Affairs office, which will put them in touch with the foreign university so they can be accepted into the program,” explains Leoncio Monjarás.
Universidad Panamericana ’s international academic summer programs are an investment in students’ futures, as they provide students with a global education and the tools they need to excel in any professional setting, thanks to the development of various skills acquired in other global contexts.
