Over the five weeks in Rio, we attended 4 classes at COPPEAD and did 3 company visits (Bio Rio, Shopping Nova America and TV Globo)

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!

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.

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!

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?

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!

Looking back at the last 6 weeks and cannot believe all of our accomplishments thus far in this GPMBA program.  We have had quizzes, midterms, projects, papers, homework, career coaching and so on, and so on.  We are only 6 weeks into this program and I already feel stretched and challenged mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  I have been through a roller coaster of triumphs, failures, ups, downs and everything in between in a very short time and it is exhilerating.  We have traveled far, avoided a major hurricane and met with the Board of Directors.  This is truly an all-encompassing program.

Despite the difficulty, I welcome these challenges.  Easy times are great, but the challenging times really let you know you’re alive.  I can assure you, I am DEFINITELY alive.

Yesterday marked a very important day for me quite unexpectedly.  We had rounds of group negotiations for our International Business Environments class and I learned a lot about myself, about improvements I need to make in myself and effective (and ineffective) ways of interacting with others.  We each represented various players in the Nissan-Renault-DaimlerChrysler negations in the late 1990s.  We saw the complexity of negotiation due to hierarchy, cultural differences, interests, financial standing and many other factors involved in the process.

Just like negotiations, our journey of self-discovery along this GPMBA road is a process.  This is not an easy process, but a process nonetheless.  I am learning to be more patient with myself and to acknowledge my own shortcomings and imperfections.  This increased understanding of myself will undoubtedly lead to a greater understanding of those around me.  I see my strengths and weaknesses a bit more clearly with each passing day of this program and these realizations and subsequent changes will make me a more effective leader.

Looking forward, I am really excited for the connections I am making with my classmates and with others I encounter through the GPMBA program.  Yesterday, in between rounds of intense negotiation, I met with an Executive Career coach which was a great experience.  My coach was a Director of Integration for a major healthcare provider.  I learned a great deal about digital marketing and the use of these tools to meet goals.  Her job sounds awesome.

Fingers crossed that I will find the right position on my career path that makes me happy to go to work every day like my coach has found.  Like Confucius said, “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life”.  Well played Confucius.  Well played.

Our last day in D.C. began with a meeting with the Honourable Ambassador of Brazil and several members of his team (his secretary as well as his economic, foreign investment and education experts).

In the afternoon we met with Partners, Senior Counselors and Trade experts at the law firm McKenna, Long & Aldridge. This firm represents a variety of clients locally and internationally primarily focusing on providing support around trade agreements and new U.S. market developments.

We had the honor of spending all morning with the UPS Vice President of Public Affairs, the UPS Vice President of International Affairs and head lobbyists discussing how their collaboration with various government bodies and agencies.

In the afternoon, we visited the US Finance Committee, which overlooks approximately 60% of the US budget.

Our day ended with a private tour of the Capitol building and its fantastic pieces of art.