Global Opportunities

Overview

Begin or continue you study of Portuguese, while taking business-related courses at in one of the most economically significant countries on earth.

In Sao Paulo, take advantage of a specialized language learning program and direct enrolment options at two of the most prestigious business schools in Latin America. And with homestays, cultural activities and company visits to some of the country’s largest institutions and companies, studying abroad in Brazil allows you to build foreign language fluency, cross-cultural understanding and negotiation skills, which are increasingly important in the world or globalized business.

Study abroad in Sao Paulo and you will:

 

• Experience the unique academic atmosphere of Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV), and Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing (ESPM)  two of the most prestigious and important business schools in Latin America
• Take business courses taught in English or Portuguese alongside Brazilian and other international students
• Live in São Paulo, the most important cultural and economic center in Brazil shaped by globalization, diverse social and economic heritages, and influential cultural and social movements
• Enjoy museums, concerts, a samba school, a soccer match, and two weekend trips
   

The CIEE Difference

Coursework

Enroll directly in courses that combine theoretical learning and practical knowledge at Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo da Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) and Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing (ESPM). At both schools, you’ll be able to debate and discuss innovative management issues, analyze case studies, and participate in role-playing exercises to better understand business principles in management, marketing, negation, and more.

Company Visits

A series of company visits is organized to complement academic study, offering you unparalleled insight into business in Sao Paulo and Brazil. Visit such places as Natura (a large Brazilian cosmetics company focused on environmental production and sustainable business practices), General Motors, Bloomberg, TV Cultura (the São Paulo State Government network) and Bovespa (the São Paulo stock market), among others.

Excursions

The study abroad program includes one weekend field trip and an overnight trip in Brazil and cultural visits to sites of historical and cultural importance in São Paulo. In the past, students have visited the colonial city of Paraty; a community of Brazil’s social agrarian Landless Movement; Aparecida do Norte, the most famous center of devotion for the Brazilian Catholic population; and a Carnival Samba School. Students have also participated in community service projects in disadvantaged communities, attended concerts, Brazilian movies, museums, and soccer games.

Credit

Total recommended credit for the semester is 16–20/24–30 quarter hours. Total recommended credit for the year is 32–40/48–60 quarter hours.

IPM courses at FGV have 30 contact hours per module and recommended credit is 2 semester/3 quarter hours.

FGV-EAESP Direct enrollment courses have 15–30 contact hours and recommended credit is 2–4 semester/3–6 quarter hours.

CIEE course hours are 72 and recommended credit is 4 semester/6 quarter hours.

Program Requirements

All study abroad students take a CIEE Portuguese language course for the duration of the semester. At FGV, during each module, students are required to take a minimum of three courses. Students take a minimum of seven courses total during the semester. Students may take one or two additional IPM courses at FGV.

Students who place into Advanced Portuguese language, or those who are fluent in Spanish, may enroll in regular direct enrollment courses taught in Portuguese, with the approval of the Resident Director and the host institution’s international office.

Selection is based on maturity, seriousness of purpose, and appropriateness of match between program and applicant. Students on disciplinary probation during program period are not eligible.  You must not only meet the minimum eligibility criteria, but also show the type of intellectual curiosity, personal maturity, academic rationale and social flexibility necessary for a successful study abroad experience.

About São Paulo

Multicultural São Paulo is the second largest urban area in the Americas and an important South American economic and cultural center and includes a modern subway system, shopping malls, beautiful parks, nightlife, and open-air fruit and flower markets. Often compared to New York City because of its distinct ethnic neighborhoods and excellent cultural venues, the city offers South America’s best and most diverse cultural entertainment opportunities including theater, cinema, museums, concerts, Carnival samba schools, and soccer teams.

Where You’ll Study

The Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo da Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) was founded in 1954 through a joint effort of the Brazilian government and community with cooperation from Michigan State University. Designed to meet the needs for business education in Brazil, FGV holds worldwide recognition as a highly reputable private college focused on business administration and economics. With more than 70 international partner schools, FGV is one of the only institutions to earn the “triple crown” of international accreditations from AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA.

Housing & Meals

Housing and two meals per day are included in the study abroad program fee. One meal per day, usually lunch or dinner depending on class schedules, is not included in the fee and is the responsibility of the student. During orientation, students are housed together in a hotel. During the remainder of the semester, students are placed in carefully screened Brazilian home stays. For academic and calendar year students, housing during the respective two-month break ( mid-December—early February) and the one-month break (July) is not included in the fee and is the responsibility of the student.

Academic Program

The Business and Culture study abroad program offers students with varying levels of Portuguese language skills and interests in business and the Latin American region the opportunity to begin or continue their study of Portuguese, and while taking business-related courses at one of two top institutions in one of the most economically important countries in the world. Students in the program choose to enroll in one of CIEE’s two local host institutions: Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo da Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) and Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing (ESPM). At each school, students take courses alongside Brazilian and other international students, in English, in a variety of business-related disciplines. Students with advanced Portuguese language skills may directly enroll in regular courses taught in Portuguese at both FGV and ESPM  on a case-by-case basis and with prior approval. The FGV and ESPM   international office staff, in cooperation with CIEE resident staff, work with students on course selection and registration prior to arrival and during orientation. In addition to business coursework, all students enroll in one Portuguese language course at an appropriate level.

Company Visits

A series of company visits is organized to complement academic study, offering study abroad students firsthand exposure to business in Sao Paulo and Brazil. Students visit such places as Natura (a large Brazilian cosmetics company focused on environmental production and sustainable business practices), General Motors, Bloomberg, TV Cultura (the São Paulo State Government network) and Bovespa (the São Paulo stock market), among others.

Academic Culture

The academic culture at FGV and ESPM  focuses both on theoretical learning and practical knowledge. In the classroom, students are able to debate and discuss innovative management issues, analyze case studies, and participate in role-playing exercises to better understand business principles. Each IPM course at FGV meets for an eight-week module and is taught in English. The normal course load is three to four courses per module plus the CIEE language course. Students receive an IPM Diploma when they choose to take four courses in each module. Students should expect challenging coursework and a rigorous program of study. Under the supervision of the Resident Director, and the International Office at FGV, students may enroll in any IPM course. For students with sufficient Portuguese skills, CIEE strongly encourages direct enrollment in regular FGV and ESPM  semester courses offered to Brazilian students and taught in Portuguese.

FGV and ESPM   follow a Southern Hemisphere academic calendar: the first semester of the academic year begins in late February and finishes in mid-June; the second semester begins in early August and ends in early December.

Academic year students have an eight-week break between the fall and spring semesters. Calendar year students have a break of approximately six weeks between the spring and fall semesters.

Information for Wash U Applicants:

Areas of Study
Business

Dates

Eligibility
3.0 GPA. 3 semesters of micro-or macro-economics, accounting, finance, management, marketing, or statistics coursework.

All students participating in Olin semester programs are required to enroll and participate in pre-departure and post-departure coursework. INTL 300A Planning for International Learning is a 1.5 credit mini-B course designed to prepare students for their experience overseas the semester before they actually travel. INTL 300B Applying International Experiences is a required mini-A post-departure class that will discuss what students learned while abroad and help students articulate those lessons for employers, graduate schools, etc.

Questions?
Email Tammy Orahood at orahood@wustl.edu or call (314) 935-6315 to schedule an appointment.