Fifty Ohio State students studied abroad in Brazil during winter break 2024. The Fisher College of Business Honors Cohort Global Lab visited local companies and participated in a case competition during their 10 days in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Students on the Mosaic Brazil: A Panorama of Social Justice program collaborated directly with local students, worked on real-world projects addressing current challenges and developed skills to work in a global environment. By supporting these study abroad opportunities, the Brazil Gateway strengthens the connection between Ohio State and Brazil and helps students build global business connections.
Fisher College of Business Honors Cohort Global Lab
The 27th Honors Cohort of senior business students traveled to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and immersed themselves in the emerging market and in Brazilian culture. The students heard from insightful speakers, participated in cultural immersion activities and worked with Brazilian university students on a global case competition in partnership with campus b, a local non-profit.
They visited local companies such as Deloitte, Procter & Gamble and Sinal do Vale. While in São Paulo, the cohort attended presentations from the Ohio State Brazil Gateway team and Fisher alumni Tristan Davis and Gustavo Ribeiro, who shared valuable insights from their personal and professional experiences both in Brazil and abroad. They also participated in a case competition with students from FIA Business School in São Paulo.
Mosaic Brazil: A Panorama of Social Justice
A non-credit program organized by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of International Affairs, based in Rio de Janeiro, Mosaic Brazil provided students the opportunity to do a community-defined project and gain exposure to sustainable development projects. The program allowed students to collaborate directly with local students and develop essential skills to work in an interconnected and global environment.
“My Mosaic Brazil experience was truly unforgettable. What made it stand out was the chance to immerse myself in Brazil’s culture while working with the NGO Meu Copo Eco, which focuses on sustainability and reducing plastic waste,” reflected Arni Patel, a psychology major. “Collaborating with their team to brainstorm ways to address social disparities within their operations was both heavily eye-opening and rewarding. Beyond that, building connections with the local community and sharing these experiences with my peers made it all the more meaningful.”
“The Mosaic Brazil study abroad program was an unforgettable experience. We participated in several activities that I wouldn’t have been able to experience if I had only visited for tourist purposes,” shared Karen Gallego, a finance major. “For example, visiting Patota do Galo, an organization that works to create a space for children to be able to participate in traditional Brazilian dance and music.”
Sydney Dennison, an early childhood education major, learned how adaptable she could be on the program. “When it comes to traveling, there are going to be things that do not go as planned. The best way to handle this is to continue being optimistic and remember how much of a privilege it is to visit another country. I also learned how useful it is to be adaptable and open to change. I learned how to adapt to this new environment and culture to not only be considerate but also to learn from the people living there. This adaptability will help me quickly respond to and assist my future students from various backgrounds.”
