‘I’ve never been in such a good environment’, says IMPA Tech graduate

18/6/2025

“I’ve never been to a better place than here. The facilities, the people, the classmates. It’s all very good, a very special experience.” That’s student Nicole Freire’s overall impression of IMPA Tech. Approved for the bachelor’s degree in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation at the beginning of the year, she is excited about the next steps studying in the heart of Rio’s innovation, Porto Maravalley, in Rio de Janeiro’s port area.

Nicole, 20, is from Campo Grande, a neighborhood on the west side of the city, and has been fascinated by math since childhood. “Since elementary school, I’ve always been very questioning, so seeing how things work and how we arrive at the results is very good.” Thanks to her efforts and the encouragement of her parents, who didn’t finish school until she was an adult, she went to a private high school on a full scholarship.

“I’m the first person in my family to go on to higher education. I love studying. That’s the phrase of my life, because studying makes you learn and that’s my main passion. In mathematics, it’s the challenge that attracts me. Like it or not, it’s an area that doesn’t have many women, so the challenge is even greater,” she said.

The student even took part in the selection process for the first IMPA Tech class, but was unsuccessful. At the end of 2024, she applied again through the Enem (National High School Exam), at the same time as taking part in other selection processes. “I applied to UERJ for Technology and Shipbuilding, Chemistry and I even applied for Medicine. I wasn’t focused on passing IMPA Tech, but if I did I’d be very happy.”

Nicole was successful in her applications and came in 1st place for Chemistry at UERJ and in 8th place among the girls for EsPCEx (Army Cadet Preparatory School), while the IMPA Tech selection process was in progress.

The young woman even went to Campinas, where she attended EsPCEx for two days, but when she saw her name on the list of IMPA Tech candidates, she decided to return to Rio de Janeiro. Here, she completed the subsequent stages and was approved to attend IMPA’s undergraduate program.

The surprise delighted Nicole’s entire family. “My parents are very supportive. When my mother saw the structure of the college and all the support we receive, she was very happy and saw the opportunity I had grasped, because everything here is very good. For my brother, I’m a reference point in his studies, he feels inspired because he’s seen that it’s possible. When I heard that from him, I was very moved.”

At IMPA Tech, the graduate is excited about the interdisciplinary basis of her training. “The classes here train us to be interdisciplinary professionals. Nowadays, in the world we live in, this is very important, it makes a big difference. We’re also able to understand many everyday things from a new perspective. That’s really cool. It’s important to have subjects that go beyond the exact sciences in general,” he said.

The degree has a one-year basic cycle with subjects from different areas, divided between theoretical and practical classes. English, Language Skills and Programming are also part of the curriculum. Students then choose one of four emphases to complete their bachelor’s degree: Mathematics, Data Science, Physics or Computer Science.

For Nicole, the adaptation process was smooth, despite the homesickness. “I adapted very well. As I already had a course routine, I was used to studying all day. The difference is that here the study is more focused and more dense. I read the books that form the basis of the course and exchange a lot with my colleagues, but it’s the practical classes that make the difference. I can talk a lot with the monitors and clear up my doubts.”

The student highlights the student benefits and the support of the Careers and Internships Center (NCE) as crucial to her academic performance so far. “The aid brings enormous dignity to our studies, increasing our performance in the classroom. I feel that living here has given me a lot of responsibility. It’s a great experience! I also attend all the NCE events. I never imagined myself at a job interview and I can see that all this preparation is going to make a difference in the future.”

Before arriving at IMPA Tech, Nicole had already had contact with IMPA’s work through the OBMEP (Brazilian Public School Math Olympics), but she didn’t win any prizes. “The test was very difficult, but I enjoyed taking it, especially because of the challenges. After the test, my friends and I would go out and discuss the questions.”

She is now planning her future as a student. “I’m thinking of pursuing an emphasis in Mathematics. The next few years will be very challenging and maybe that’s what encourages me every day. I never thought I’d be a researcher, but after I came here and had contact with some of them and saw what they do, this desire was awakened in me. It will be a happy cycle, with success and many challenges,” concluded Nicole.

Read more: Common Root: project brings students together in conversation circles
See also: Pizza and networking mark students’ participation in Tech Nights