‘IMPA Tech was a big decision in my life’, says student Yasmin Silva

When the desire to study is not limited to borders, there are no barriers to knowledge. Thanks to her love of mathematics, young Yasmin de Barros da Silva, 20, left Rio Tinto, in the interior of Paraíba (PB), to study at IMPA Tech, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Enchanted by the subject since childhood, it was through the OBMEP (Brazilian Public School Math Olympics) that she expanded her perspectives and saw mathematics as a career possibility. Read her story on #BeyondEquations.

Until the end of high school, the Paraíba native studied at EEEM Frederico Lundgren, where she had contact with the Olympiad and won two medals: a silver and a bronze. “Until a certain moment you see mathematics as very mechanical, but in OBMEP you have a different, more fun view. From then on, I saw a more logical part, a practical application of the subject,” he said.

While still in Rio Tinto, the young woman started a degree in Mathematics at UFPB (Federal University of Paraíba), but the desire to go further instigated Yasmin. “I never thought I’d leave home, but I signed up for the IMPA Tech selection process with no expectations and I was approved. When the results came out, I couldn’t believe it. I refreshed the website about five times and it wouldn’t go away,” she said.

It was time, then, to make a choice. “Coming to IMPA Tech was a big decision in my life. IMPA brings a very strong name. Where I was, it felt like I wasn’t making the most of my potential, I felt like I wasn’t going to develop much.” Yasmin left her family behind and packed her dreams in her suitcase, ready to fly for the first time.

Destined for a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation, she turned her OBMEP medals into an opportunity to change her life. “I had mixed emotions on the plane. I was afraid that I wouldn’t fit in, that I wouldn’t make friends, that I’d fail a subject… But everyone here is working for the same purpose, helping each other and sharing the good and bad times,” she said.

The first member of her family to go to university, she is proud of her achievements so far. “I’ve learned a lot in that time. People say I’m different, but it’s because I’ve changed. Here at IMPA Tech, opportunities ‘rain down’ and I go crazy wanting to do everything. It’s an intense degree, which is very worthwhile.”

Bachelor’s students receive accommodation, financial aid and a food allowance. In addition, the NAP (Psychopedagogical Support Center) and the NCE (Careers and Internships Center) work together to accompany young people and help them build long-term career projects. The aim is to promote interdisciplinary training that values technical, social and cultural skills.

“It’s great to have this support, it’s what allows me to be here. We have daily support from the NAP, with talks and lectures. NCE takes care of us with internship and career planning. All this support gives us security,” said Yasmin.

Now, after a year on the course, the young woman is thinking of following the emphasis on Mathematics, the subject that has accompanied her so far, and starting to include subjects from her master’s degree at IMPA in her bachelor’s degree curriculum. “I think that’s the path I’m going to take, but without giving up the job market.”

On March 16, the new school year begins with the arrival of 100 more students from all over Brazil. Together with the friends she made in Rio, Yasmin is planning the reception for her future colleagues. “We’re excited to welcome them and give them support. This initial support is very important. I want to do the same thing I did when I arrived here, because we were very well received,” she said.