Blog: A Day in the Life of a Global Partners MBA Student

Globo Spotlight!

As most people who know me can tell you, I loved my time in Brazil! My only truly negative comment is that I could not stay longer. I know that there are issues there, just as in every place, but I still had a great time.

I noticed a lot of differences (not necessarily good or bad, just different) between the United States and Brazil as far as culture is concerned. Rather than voice these observations again here, please read the article where I am featured in Globo! Globo is the premier publication for Brasil and this company also produces the majority of programming on television in Brazil. We actually visited the Globo production lot as one of our company visits.

You can read the article here

If you do not read Portuguese, don’t worry! You can just copy the text and paste it into Google translate. Enjoy!

Bonjour!

We arrived in Paris about 3 weeks ago and time is already flying by! We are nearly at the midpoint of our time in Paris before going to China and discovering yet another new world. I have seen so many new things and places in this program and I am very appreciative of all I have experienced.

That is not to say that the GPMBA program has been an easy road. Most of us gave up jobs to start the program. Some people have spouses and kids (even as young as 6 months old!). Some moved thousands of miles away from home to join our cohort. We have a heavy workload. We never settle in one place too long. We are sleep deprived. We are stressed out sometimes. This GPMBA program is a challenge. But, this is also one of the best times of my life.

This program has stretched me to, and past, my limits. I have learned a lot both in the classroom and outside. Our many (many) group projects have taught me a lot about myself and about working with others. So, yes, I may sleep a little less from time to time. I may see my friends and family a little less often. Still, what I have gained here and the leader I am being molded into is well worth any sacrifice. As I sit here in Paris, among some of the greatest architecture and art the world has ever known, I can say I am happy to be here.

Back in Atlanta!

Back in Atlanta, it definitely takes time to readjust to life here. Unfortunately, time is our most scarce resource this semester. We returned to Atlanta on a Saturday and went back to class that Monday. Now, a few weeks later, we are in the midst of midterms and a few weeks from now we will be in Paris. There are a lot of assignments and exams between now and Paris, but I know we will all make it through somehow. I am just glad we are blessed with Spring Break next week!

It is still hard for me to believe that the Rio module has come and gone and that I am back in Atlanta. At the same time, Rio seems like such a long time ago even though we returned quite recently. time is funny that way.

I will say that the highlight for me back here in Atlanta has been all the visits we have had from CEOs, presidents and other high level executives. My favorite visit so far was from Kat Cole, President of Cinnabon. Her story inspires me. She went from being a server at Hooters, to open many stores for them, to Vice President of the company all by the time she was in her mid-20s. Now, she is The president of a major company and took the brand to billion-dollar status. She is successful and still so accessible and down-to-earth, with a heart that wants to help people through her philanthropy work. Hope that as I climb the corporate ladder, I can maintain an attitude and character like she does.

Looking forward toward midterms, I am a bit excited to see what I have learned and retained. I know, I am a nerd! Wish me luck!

Novo America

We visited 3 companies while in Rio and I must say that the visit to Novo America was the most impactful for me. Novo America develops multipurpose malls throughout Brazil and is growing quickly. This energy of growth and development is apparent even in the employees we encountered during our visit.

Normally, I am adverse to such huge projects especially in regions like the Amazon, but it is hard to ignore the demand for such structures. When McDonald’s came to the Amazon region with the opening of a new Novo America mall, for example, people stood in lines for hours and came by the busloads just to get a Big Mac. People stared in awe at the “new” technology of escalators. The local people around these malls seem to want and support these projects, so who am I to speak against them?

The most impactful part of the visit was not necessarily the mall itself, but the work that Novo America does in the communities where they build. The site we visited, for example, is located in a favela area called Leopoldina. We watched a video made by Novo America employees about the area and it is hard to believe how far this area has come in such a short time.

Two years ago, Leopoldina was in the midst of a violent civil war. The video we watched showed machine guns and other high-powered arms in the hands of the Unidade de Policia Pacificadora, Police Pacification Unit, also known as the UPP. These same arms, however, were in the arms of the opposition which was led mostly by the drug lords that ruled this favela (and others in Rio). The film showed the violence, terror and death that plagued this area in recent times.

Can you imagine being a Novo America employee going to work every day with all this going on so close to your job?

Bem-vindo a Rio!

It is raining in Rio…can you believe it! It has been raining off and on for the last week and the rain has hit storm levels this evening. Yet, despite the rain and crazy weather I still love this city. O place is perfect, but I believe Rio is the perfect city for me if I have to be in a city. I get to look at the ocean every day, I do not need a car and the cariocas (people from Rio) have been super helpful.

After a week in the most beautiful paradise, I was a little worried to come to Rio. I spent some time in Bahia, specifically in Itacare and absolutely love that place! I think I found myself in Bahia. If you ever want to go to a heavenly place where the Atlantic Rainforest collides with volcanic rock, white and black sand, and beautiful water then Itacare is for you! Everyone should visit at least once in a lifetime. I will definitely go back.

After Bahia, Rio is a totally different place in the world, but the Brazilian culture and Portuguese language that connects these places is the same. I have had my share of difficulties here (such as a landlord canceling my Air BnB booking 2 days before arrival even though it was fully paid), but no place is perfect. Every place is full of people and all people are imperfect. If I still love this place and the country so much even through challenges and trials, then that speaks volumes. I feel at home here. I can’t wait to come back and I haven’t even left!