Ohio State Brazil Gateway News

Fisher's Global Applied Project in São Paulo

For three weeks in May, 10 MBA students from the Ohio State Fisher College of Business were in Brazil to work on projects with Brazilian companies as part of the Global Applied Projects (GAP) program.

GAP is an opportunity for MBA students to gain international experience by working on real world business challenges in global locations with Fisher corporate partners and project sponsors. a seven-week, client-sponsored global consulting experience with a 3-week, immersive, project experience at a global location.

In addition to their projects, the group joined the Brazil Gateway and Visagio during a social hour that took place May 9, where they shared their experience in Brazil with prospective MBAs and alumni. Students also had the opportunity to explore Rio de Janeiro and Iguaçu Falls.

To be eligible to apply you must be a first-year FTMBA student who will complete the MBA core curriculum by spring semester of their first year. All WPMBA students who will complete 18 hours of graded course work - including data analytics and excluding electives and independent studies- by the time they leave for the in-country portion of GAP are also eligible.

For more information on the program contact Heidi Eldred, director of the Office of Global Business and Graduate Global Programs.

Brazil Gateway Team Participates in the 7th Brazilian Congress on Industry Innovation

The Seventh Brazilian Congress on Industry Innovation took place in São Paulo June 27 - 28. The Brazil Gateway team participated both days learning with and supporting its industry partners.

"The event brought interesting talks from industry and government leaders who offered updated information on how industry is tackling innovation in Brazil, even during economic and political hardship," said Jane K. Aparecido, academic relations and alumni community manager at the Brazil Gateway.

The congress was organized by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) and by the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE). CNI is an Ohio State partner in the Acceleration in Innovation and Advanced Manufacturing Program.

"Ohio State has resources and knowledge to support Brazilian industry implementing and developing advanced and innovative technologies" said Luke Barbara, director of the Brazil Gateway.

In addition to talks and panels, there were booths for companies to present their innovative products and ideas, as well as opportunities for start-ups to pitch their businesses.

Brazil Gateway and Ohio State College of education Participate in Third Seminar on Internationalization at USP School of Education

On May 25, Ohio State participated in the Third Seminar on Internationalization at the University of São Paulo School of Education (FEUSP).

Robert Bennett III, PhD, special assistant to the executive director and program specialist, and James Moore, professor in the College of Education and Human Ecology, spoke about their successful Higher Education in Brazil education abroad program in Salvador. Their program enables students to appreciate and participate in the rich and dynamic aspects of Brazilian culture and educational systems, to understand how race, socioeconomic status and gender impact educational opportunities for Afro-Brazilian youth.

Jane K. Aparecido represented the Brazil Gateway team and explained Ohio State's physical presence in Brazil and its internationalization efforts.

The School of Education at USP holds this yearly seminar to discuss how internationalization has been done in their department, how opportunities to study abroad have influenced students and how partnering with international universities can be beneficial.

Opportunity for Faculty: USAID Grant

The United States Agency for International Development USAID intends to provide up to $7.5 million over a three-year period for "Brazil Environment Program- Territorial and Environmental Management of Indigenous Lands"

This grant is to support to territorial and environmental management of indigenous lands in selected areas of the states of Maranhão, Rondônia and Roraima

Learn more and apply online.

Testimonial: Alumna and English Teaching Assistant, Calla Sneller

Calla Sneller is an Ohio State alumna and an English Teaching Assistant with the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, who spent two years teaching in Brazil.

During my two years living and working in Brazil, I relished the opportunity to not only develop professionally but personally as well. I started my journey in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, where I worked as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) at the federal university. Uberaba is a small city in the heart of rural Brazil. While there, I took advantage of the wonderful churrasco, warm and welcoming people and the opportunity to make an impact in my community and with my students. As an Ohio State alumna and Ohio resident, I felt right at home in this setting and loved learning about the subtle cultural differences present in my new life.

At the university, I planned and conducted engaging lessons and facilitated conversation clubs, including "Snack and Chat" where my students utilized casual English and tried new foods from the United States. Part of our grant involved creating a side project to engage with our community outside of the university. At the local bi-national Brasil USA center, I led workshops on U.S. art, music and holidays in and recruited students to attend the EducationUSA College fair in São Paulo. One of my fondest memories was watching the students' eyes widen in awe as we pulled into São Paulo and spent hours exploring American colleges and speaking with representatives. One of my students told me that he now felt like "the world was his oyster," a phrase I had taught him.

One of the most rewarding experiences of my time in Brazil was working with Luke and Jane at the Ohio State Brazil Gateway. From the first year I was in Brazil, Luke made it a point to get in touch with the Ohio State alumni in my program and to treat us to a taco dinner in São Paulo. This little taste of home was just what I needed! After moving to the city, I enjoyed learning about the internationalization of higher education, planning workshops about Ohio State admissions and cultivating connections between USP, EducationUSA and Ohio State. Working with the Ohio State Brazil Gateway was truly a full circle experience, bringing my own education to life and allowing me to apply it to my Fulbright experience. Brazil is such a diverse, expansive and vibrant country and Ohio State is lucky to have such a dedicated team working to create connections there.