This Young Man Will Make IPN Proud in Argentina

Reporter: Adda Avendaño // Photographer: Javier González

Francisco Nicolás Pérez is the only student from Mexico selected for an internship in Buenos Aires.

Talent from our academic community is taking knowledge beyond borders, applying and showcasing what students have learned at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN).

Such is the case of Francisco Nicolás Pérez Montes, a student at the Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Química e Industrias Extractivas (ESIQIE), who was selected by the Argentina Internship Program to participate in a professional internship from June 2 to August 8 at the refinery operated by Pan American Energy (PAE) in Campana, a province in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

According to Pérez Montes, a student of Industrial Chemical Engineering, the selection process began with a call issued by the Embassy of Argentina in Mexico. Members of Puentes Abroad conducted the first round of interviews, and the organization coordinated the recruitment. A second round followed, carried out by representatives from various companies involved in the internship program.

“In the final interview, they asked why I applied to Honeywell, Pan American Energy, and Aconcagua Energía. I told them I believed I had the knowledge needed to perform in any of those companies, and also because I’m a highly functional person,” Pérez Montes explained.

Out of 716 applicants, only 28 were selected—most of them Latin American students attending North American universities. This makes Nicolás Pérez the only participant from a Mexican institution, and one of just 17 chosen for training at Pan American Energy, specifically in the AXION energy division, where lubricants are manufactured.

Pérez is already well-versed in operating spectrophotometers, plastic injection molding equipment, solid characterization tests, lab-scale reactors, and physicochemical analyses of various materials. At AXION, he has been tasked with observing production processes and proposing improvements.

“Based on what I’ve learned throughout my studies, my work experience in several companies, and my social service at the Catalysis and Materials Lab at ESIQIE, I believe I have the tools to face any challenge that may arise. I don’t need to overprepare or speculate in advance—when the time comes, I’ll find the solution,” he said.

Originally from Atenco, State of Mexico, Pérez once resisted the idea of studying, thinking his physical skills were enough to make a living through local trades such as blacksmithing, carpentry, or small business work.

“Back then, the financial situation was tough, and I thought working was more important than school. That’s why I temporarily dropped out,” he recalled. However, his interest in finishing the degree persisted—along with his mother’s encouragement to return—so he resumed his studies at ESIQIE. This second stage, he confessed, has been more fulfilling thanks to a changed mindset. “Now I know that even if difficulties arise, I don’t need to solve everything immediately. It’s enough to do what I can—and that’s enough.”

Grateful for the experiences, professors, and classmates who have helped shape him, Nicolás Pérez emphasized that all the knowledge he has gained allowed him to seize this opportunity and prove that IPN students are prepared to meet the demands of top international companies.

In that spirit, he encouraged fellow IPN students to apply for international internship programs such as the Argentina Internship Program. While it may seem overwhelming at first, it’s a valuable opportunity to expand one’s horizons and deepen professional skills.

“We at IPN know and are very strong when it comes to hands-on practice. We have what it takes to take on the world—we just need to fuel that confidence and support one another more, because each of us is the result of a collective effort,” he concluded.