LAS6905/4905

With its economy booming in recent years, Brazil has joined China, India, and Russia as one of the leading emerging markets in the global economy. Today more than ever international companies are looking for business graduates who understand the Brazilian market and are familiar with the language and culture of Latin America’s largest country.

The Retailing in Brazil Academic Internship program is a 4 credit course consisting of an online pre-departure module and a hands-on experience through work in a Brazilian company or business association.

Through the Academic Internship students will have the opportunity to…

–Apply academic knowledge through a hands-on experience
–Learn how to adapt in a new culture while working on a project in a foreign country
–Expand their professional network internationally
–Gain exposure to new perspectives and ideas

 
The School

The Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR) is a private, not-for-profit Catholic University located in Curitiba. The campus houses five academic units, including the Business School. The university caters to over 27,000 students, offering business courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. For more information, visit http://www.pucpr.br/escoladenegocios/

The City

Curitiba is the capital and largest city of the state of Paraná. With over 1,700,000 inhabitants, it is considered the cultural, economic, and political center of region. The city offers a variety of museums, theaters, festivals, and tourist attractions for visitors. Curitiba is renowned for its successes in urban planning, boasting a number of preserved green spaces and highly efficient public transportation system.  It is also an attractive destination for business students due to its high concentration of national and multinational industries. Finally, Curitiba’s large university population infuses the city with a youthful atmosphere and vibrant music scene. To learn more, visit: http://www.braziltour360.com/#curitiba

Student Life

Students receive faculty advisor support from the local partner institution. They are also paired with a student “buddy” from the partner academic institution to take students on cultural excursions, and are provided with assistance from the partner international center.

Language Requirements

Portuguese would be helpful. Optional language courses available.

Accommodation

Housing for students will be provided through either a homestay with a Brazilian family or university residence.

Internship

Placement: Students interview about interests, skills, and experience to match with Brazilian firm and their needs. (We will try to match student interests to company as much as possible.) Industry Placements can be in a franchise or major retailing firm, chamber of commerce, or other industry association.

Requirements: Student s will conduct pre-research on their assigned company, and complete a student project for their designated firm according to the work assignment and company’s needs. Students will also regularly contribute cultural observations to a wiki, present their project results to the firm and other stakeholders involved, and produce a final report with the implications of findings to be used as a future Brazil retailing resource.

Visa Information

Brazil requires all United States passport holders to have a valid visa. This visa must be applied for (usually by mail, but sometimes in person) at the passport holder’s consulate in advance of travel to Brazil. A list of consulates, their websites, and their areas of jurisdiction is provided here: Brazil Embassy and Consulates.

Estimated Costs

Contact

For more information, please contact Mary Risner.

Course/Program Sponsored by:

David F. Miller Center for Retailing Education and Research at the University of Florida
http://warrington.ufl.edu/centers/retailcenter/

University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies
http://www.latam.ufl.edu

Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) at the University of Florida
http://www.cba.ufl.edu/ciber