From Mexico to Finland: Discovering UX Design at Aalto University Summer School

José Paulo Velez Ortiz is a computer science bachelor’s student at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Puebla, Mexico. Curious by nature, he enjoys taking part in projects and courses that challenge him to learn something new. This summer, that curiosity brought him to Finland to study Human-Centered UX Design (HC-UX) at Aalto University Summer School. 

Finding his way to Aalto

Paulo had already spent a part of his summer studying abroad in Spain, where he attended an entrepreneurship boot camp. When looking for another international learning experience, he discovered Aalto. The combination of Finland and UX design immediately caught his attention. Paulo had always wanted to visit the Nordic countries, and he was particularly interested in learning more about user experience because of his background in computer science.
 

From building technology to understanding people

As a computer science student, Paulo is used to focusing on the technical side of projects. The HC-UX Design course gave him a different perspective: instead of focusing only on how to build technology, he learned to think more deeply about the people who will use it and how they experience it. During the course, the students worked on group projects where they developed mobile apps using Figma, with final demonstrations on the last day of the course.

One of his favourite aspects of the course was its practical approach. ‘Often as a technician, you only focus on theoretical things. This was not the case in this course. We got into the room and put our hands into the project,’ Paulo describes. 

The course also changed the way he thinks about the design process itself. At first, some of the methods used in the course seemed unnecessary to him. But when his team began interviewing users and gathering feedback, he saw the value of testing ideas rather than simply relying on his own assumptions. ‘Sometimes you think that something is not going to work. But then you get an outside response and realize that people actually like it,’ Paulo comments. 

For Paulo, this was one of the biggest lessons of the course. A good app is not simply about what the developer thinks is best. It is about understanding the people who will use it. 

Learning with a global group

The international environment added another dimension to the experience. Paulo worked with classmates from different countries, including Germany and China, and quickly saw how different perspectives could strengthen their work. His classmates introduced him to new ways of thinking and gave him ideas he could take back to his own projects.
 

The connections also extend beyond the classroom. By the end of the course, Paulo had built friendships with people from different parts of the world that he hopes to stay in touch with long after the summer ends.

A new favourite country in the North

Paulo had never visited Finland before the summer. His first impression was that the country was beautiful, clean, and highly organised. But Finnish culture surprised him the most. 

‘I had heard that Finnish people could be a bit distant. But not at all – everyone I met was very kind and helpful,’ Paulo emphasises.

He was also struck by how accessible nature, sports and public spaces are, as well as the sense of safety and trust in everyday life. Through the Summer School social program and time spent exploring with his classmates, he experienced Finland beyond the classroom.

By the end of the summer, Finland had made a lasting impression. In fact, Paulo found himself wondering whether Finland could become more than just a summer destination.
 

For future Summer School students, Paulo’s recommendation is simple: ‘It is a great opportunity. You get to meet great people from all around the world, learn useful things, and get to know Finland, which is an amazing place.’