by Gregory Paige (’14)
In the southern hemisphere, approximately 45 Anderson students joined Professor Leonardo Bursztyn and FEMBA International Programs Office managers Patty Johnson and Manuel Burgos for a week in Rio de Janeiro to gain firsthand exposure to business practices in Brazil. The “Doing Business in Brazil” global immersion elective course aimed to explore the opportunities and challenges involved with starting or expanding a business in the nation’s high-potential yet complex economic environment.
Throughout the week, guest speakers from startups, small businesses and government agencies complemented company visits to large organizations like Cisco and Petrobras. “I appreciated the candor of the speakers,” said Wei-Shine Chien (FEMBA ’14). “It gave me an idea of what it takes to even consider doing business in Brazil.”
Outside of business hours, however, the class managed to find its fair share of fun (plus some). Tourist activities included a fútbol game at Maracanã stadium and ascents to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain. Among other highlights were Caipirinhas and Samba dancing in the renowned Lapa neighborhood, as well as group shopping sprees at Havaianas for flip-flops. Ultimately the group returned home a bit tanner and a lot more knowledgeable about doing business in Brazil. “The companies were great,” said Adel Hajrasuliha (FEMBA ’14), “and the professor being a local made a huge impact.”
Learn more about the global immersion programs, head to Anderson's Center for Global Management's webpage.
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