Raphaela Pinheiro came to the United Stated from Brazil to obtain a graphic design degree. She didn’t let University of the Arts’ closure stop her, and she graduates from Temple next semester.
Photo by Betsy Manning
Name: Raphaela Pinheiro
Major: Graphic and interactive design
School/college: Tyler School of Art and Architecture
Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Rio de Janeiro
Previous institution: University of the Arts
When the University of the Arts closed its doors in June of 2024, graphic design student Raphaela Pinheiro knew she had to decide where she would continue her education—otherwise, her educational visa would expire. Between Temple’s campus, faculty and the community she found in other students, Pinheiro quickly knew it was the only choice for her. Now a senior, she is the vice president of the Brazilian Student Association, a member of the Design and Illustration Club, and a student worker in the Strategic University Events Office.
When you realized you had to transfer from University of the Arts, what made you choose Temple?
I talked to my professors at University of the Arts and they all said, “I really think Tyler’s the best fit for you because we really love the faculty there, and we think it would be a great fit.” They said that if I liked the community aspect of UArts, then I would really love Tyler.
I did several tours at Temple, and they invited us to come to campus a couple of times to see what it was like. We had the chance to talk with faculty, and when I saw the campus and I really had a chance to talk to people here, it felt so nice. Everyone was so welcoming.
I remember a specific moment during the tour when, after two months of stress, we passed the wall that says “Perseverance Conquers,” and it was, like, mind-blowing. I was like, “that was like a sign from the universe actually.” It was such a crazy moment, and it was in the last few weeks that we had to make the decision, but that’s when I knew.
How did you go about finding community and making friends not just as a transfer, but as an international student as well? In the weeks before classes started, I went to an event for international students and I met another Brazilian out of the blue. I hadn’t spoken Portuguese in person in a few months; I went almost a year without speaking Portuguese with someone in person. And they told me we have a small community of Brazilians here, the Brazilian Student Association. And not just Brazilians, but so many international students that give you the sense that someone else understands this other part of the process. That was the first community that really made a difference.
And I ended up joining it! I became president, and now I’m a vice president for communications, which is more in my niche. But I found a way of getting involved in the Brazilian and international communities, so, that made me feel like I’m contributing to Temple as well in the ongoing process of coming here.
I’m really glad that I’m able to participate in so many different communities for my major and my heritage and other things that I’m interested in, like the Design and Illustration Club. I can find clubs for every interest that I have.
What has been the best part of transferring to Temple (so far)?
I would say the faculty and my classes. I feel like I found really good professors that make me learn so much through practice. I feel very comfortable and welcome every class that I walk into, and I feel like Tyler really has this feeling like we’re not that small, but we make you feel like you’re in a small class.
What does being a Temple student mean to you?
Transferring to Temple meant the chance to not let the dream of pursuing a bachelor’s degree abroad die. I am a first-generation college student, and my parents in Brazil did not have a chance to complete a formal degree. So, the opportunity to study abroad was a dream coming true for me and my mother, especially.
As the first one in my family to pursue a dream like that abroad, and after the entire process of moving alone here, receiving the acceptance letter for a place that felt so right since the first moment was very special. It felt like I was given back the chance to prove what I could do with the opportunity.
As an answer I keep choosing to persevere and honor the opportunity by giving all I can to complete this bachelor with excellence and contribute to the community around me.
Do you have any advice for current or future transfer students?
Don’t be afraid to jump into every single opportunity that you have to make connections to new people here. Just try everything that you want. I had the opportunity to meet so many different people because we are on a campus that has so many majors and schools and people with so many different interests. I feel like you will find what you’re looking for, and even if it wasn’t your first door into college life, I feel like you will find a really good path here.
