During my course I met a director of FDC, who was on the PhD programme at the time. 

Having got to know him better, I decided to write my Master’s thesis on the internationalisation process of his company which enabled me to develop an in-depth understanding of the business – something that ultimately helped me secure my current role.

Since joining FDC, I have been responsible for developing strategy, corporate governance and the provision of customized education solutions to large enterprises.  I also manage the PAEX project which develops and implements management processes of over 439 mid-sized companies in South America.  I have developed a large network of relationships with many large and mid-sized Brazilian companies, as well as some multinationals.

Why Birmingham Business School?

I chose to study at Birmingham Business School as it has a good international reputation and offered two scholarships for Latin American students.  I was awarded one of these as well as a scholarship from the Alban Institute of the European Union.

I grew in many ways during my time at the university. In my opinion, the learning experience is something over and above the subjects or modules. When I look back on my time at the university, I fondly recall interesting lectures, a variety of sporting activities, international and local road trips, all the new friendships I made and the overall intercultural diversity of the university. In addition to this, all the modules I studied were invaluable with each one giving me new insights into each subject.

Making the most of the support available

When I began the course, I would answer exam questions in a direct and ‘to-the-point’ manner but with support from the Business School, I was able to develop a more balanced, sophisticated style of answering. I was delighted when I finally received a distinction at the end of the course.

Tips and advice

You cannot underestimate the importance of having lived and studied abroad, especially as multinational and mid-sized companies are looking for people who are able to work internationally and understand and adapt to different cultures and environments. My advice would be to study hard, make some good friends and try to enjoy and appreciate every moment of your experience at the University of Birmingham.