Former student from the Faculty of Education and Psychology at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (FEP-UCP) secures a place at a top international university.
The academic excellence of the Faculty of Education and Psychology at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (FEP-UCP) is once again making its mark beyond borders. This time, it is Ana Carolina Silva who, after completing a Bachelor's degree in Psychology at FEP-UCP, is preparing to embark on a new academic and professional chapter in the United States of America.
Ana Carolina, a FEP-UCP alumna, has been admitted to the prestigious Master's programme in Industrial/Organisational Psychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), an institution widely recognised for its applied programmes and strong connections to the world of work.
Her interest in Organisational Psychology began in the very first year of her undergraduate degree and continued to grow throughout the course. “I’ve always been curious about how companies operate and how people behave in organisational settings,” she shares.
In her second year at Católica, Ana Carolina had the opportunity to spend a semester at UMBC through the Erasmus+ mobility programme. Upon returning to Portugal, she took the initiative to complete a summer internship in Human Resources at Serlima. Her goal was clear: to begin building her CV early on — something she greatly admires in American academic culture, where students are encouraged to combine their studies with practical experience from the outset.
“Studying abroad — especially in the US — has always been a dream. I was fortunate to experience it during my undergraduate studies, and now I’ve decided to take the next step and apply for a Master’s. This opportunity represents a lot of hard work, but also hope for a future with greater opportunities for personal and professional fulfilment,” she adds.
Education at the Faculty of Education and Psychology: a solid foundation for a borderless career
According to Patrícia Oliveira-Silva, Vice-Dean and Global Positioning Lead at the Faculty of Education and Psychology at UCP: “Internationalisation is not an extra in the education offered at FEP-UCP — it is an integral part of our curricular and extracurricular activities. All our students have access to international mobility opportunities, intensive programmes (BIPs), internships, summer schools and other initiatives with our academic partners across all continents. This international dimension is part of the academic identity of all our programmes, because providing a global perspective is a choice we make for everyone.”
Ana Carolina is a shining example of a generation of FEP-UCP students who combine academic excellence with global ambition — an ambition nurtured and encouraged throughout their journey at Católica. She leaves an inspiring message for those considering an international academic experience: “Católica offers a solid academic foundation and many opportunities. Make the most of them. Studying abroad means stepping out of your comfort zone, but it is also a path of self-discovery and growth that is truly worthwhile.”
The global impact of FEP-UCP students
FEP-UCP believes that preparing students for the world begins long before any international opportunity arises. The faculty’s academic offering combines scientific rigour, practical engagement, and concrete opportunities for international mobility.
“We educate for the country’s challenges, but with our eyes set on the world. The present and the future demand partnerships, collaboration, respect for difference, and the ability to learn and adapt to diverse and multicultural environments. Ana Carolina represents this generation of students — of whom we are very proud — who are ready to represent us in any international institution, demonstrating not only the necessary academic skills, but also the courage and sense of purpose to face the future and make a difference,” concludes Patrícia Oliveira-Silva.
