Pedro (right) with Roberto Abramson, president of the Alumni Club of Brazil.

Pedro Pereira, originally from Brazil, has worked in various roles at The Ohio State University, including the Brazil Gateway. Currently, he works for The Ohio Program, part of the Ohio State College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

I graduated in engineering in 2012 in Brazil, but my venture to the United States began in October 2018 as a The Ohio Program (TOP) intern at a hog farm in Missouri. TOP is an office within the Ohio State College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences that offers agriculture-related internships in the United States for international students and recent graduates in the field. This experience not only provided me with a firsthand understanding of the intricacies of American agriculture but also served as a transformative period both professionally and personally.

In 2020, I moved to Columbus to join TOP as an assistant. During this time, I engaged with the Brazil Gateway through virtual events promoting TOP. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, in December 2021, I joined the Brazil Gateway as the business development manager. In this role, I played a pivotal part in highlighting Ohio State's significant presence in Brazil. The Brazil Gateway focuses on building industry connections, developing partnerships, nurturing existing relationships and attracting new undergraduate and graduate students. Its efforts not only strengthened ties between Brazil and Ohio State but also enhanced the university's global impact.

In September 2023, I was invited to return to TOP as a horticulture program coordinator. In this role, I oversee internships in greenhouses, nursery operations, landscaping and botanic gardens. My return to TOP reflects the recognition of my expertise and the valuable contributions I bring to the program.

As a proud Buckeye who has been with the university for four years, I look forward to continuing my role as a Brazil Ohio State ambassador. My goal is to elevate the international standing of the university and contribute to its global recognition. My success at Ohio State exemplifies the university's commitment to fostering diverse talents and creating a global impact through education and innovation.