Known for its cultural vibrancy, infamous Carnaval celebration, the Amazon, and sustainability, Brazil makes the short list of many adventurers, or at least it was on mine. That’s why when I was given the opportunity to go to Brazil as part of a graduate school study abroad program, I jumped at the opportunity to study in Brazil. While living in Sao Paulo, I will be completing my second Master’s degree.
A beautiful white sandy beach in the Galapagos Islands
Although I have never been to Brazil before, I did study abroad in Ecuador in college, but never ventured outside of the Ecuadorian borders. I had a great study abroad experience in Ecuador; following Darwin’s steps in the Galapagos Islands, swimming with piranha in the Amazon, living with a host family in Quito, and, my favorite, living in a small rural village of 100 people with no electricity, no hot water, and no modern technological devices for 1 month.
But being in Brazil this time will be quite different for several reasons:
- I am not studying through a study abroad program but am directly enrolled in a top graduate school,
- I don’t know the language of the country even though my entire degree is in Portuguese, and
- I will be working for a social entrepreneur while here.
In addition to studying, I am participating in an exciting program called the Frontier Market Scouts Program (FMS), which places young professionals in the impact investing field around the world. Through FMS, I will be working as the third employee for a small social start-up called F123, which creates affordable software for the visually impaired, based in Curitiba, Brazil.
I look forward to sharing my adventures and experiences working in the social entrepreneurship sector in Brazil with you!
Off to New Heights
