University of Sao Paulo, Class of 2012
Undergraduate Major: Business Administration

During the program, I learned that any student from any academic background can succeed in business school. As long as you’re willing to commit to the coursework and work hard on the projects, you can do just as well as any student from a business background. I realize now that I have what it takes to succeed in that environment despite my liberal arts background. I feel strongly that any dedicated student will feel the same confidence after completing the program.

What was the best part about the Yale SOM Pre-MBA Leadership Program for you?

Definitely the people: motivated students, talented professors, solicitous staff and hospitable local community. There were students from the US, Mexico, Ecuador, Panama, Brazil and different countries in Africa, showing that the diversity was really in the scene which helped to provide people with a broader vision of things and to enrich the discussions. On the other hand, professors really knew how to approach to topics in a practical and clever way that made classes interesting and more productive.  Everyone was reachable and I can say I also learnt a lot from the contact I had with all of them.

How has the program changed your perspective? Your future plans?

It opened my mind to the vast world of opportunities available for my career. Within case studies and class discussions, I got in contact with different business models, social works and entrepreneurship initiatives which showed me many ways I can cause a positive impact on society. That will clearly drive my decisions from now on and thus, apart from my work I want to also get more involved with my local community and help more actively at social projects.

What was your most important “takeaway”?

Apart from the case studies, the program gave students the challenge of working in groups in order to put a Business Plan together in less than two weeks. The scarce time made necessary that the team would get involved quickly and would focus on every task to propose a feasible project. For me it was the most important takeaway because it helped me to developed team work skills and learn how to make the most of each one’s capabilities for the benefit of a group and a project.

Why should people consider this program?

Because it is a two weeks learning and development immersion. Students will be exposed to theories of all business fields, discussions about how to put them in practice appropriately and how to consider different aspects of a situations in order to make a step. Also, they will be in contact with successful people in various careers: financial market, non-profit, entrepreneurship, consumer goods industry… Thus, it is the chance to develop skills, start a network and get aware of the infinite world of existing opportunities, specially for the ones who are better prepared.