Anyone else going to COPPEAD in Brazil for the MBA??

Hi Rico, I am considering an EMBA at Coppead. Are you already doing your MBA there right now?

Hi there,
The Global Partners MBA is great, goes without saying. But if you speak Portuguese, you can as well do an executive MBA, I did that last year, and I was quite satisfied with the level. Its all in portuguese though.

Hello Denise,
I am from Paris and I plan to study in COPPEAD from January 07 on, for a bit more than a month, in the framework of the GPMBA.
Are you from Rio or do you still live there? As I've never been to Rio, I would be very grateful if you could tell me where I should look for a flat, in order to reach COPPEAD easily, but live in a nice and not so dangorous area.

Thanks! Greetings from Paris
Laurent

Laurent, you should not worry about housing, as far as I remember housing is provided by the GPMBA organisers. Which makes sens, you have such a tight schedule in that program and on top of it you have to move several times from one place to another, there will be no time to look for a flat in each place.
Ask them about it, or have a look at their website again, there should be some info.

As for Rio being a dangerous place, sure, its different from European cities in terms of crime and violence. But there are many areas which are guarded day and night by private security, so its very safe. As well houses usually have a "concierge" (not like in Paris, here they control everybody coming in) and its almost impossible for criminals to enter.

So don't worry, you will be able to forget about the danger! I guess something completely different will be more of a problem for you: Its incredibly hot in January, and you'll have to study hard..

Thank you very much for these insights denise.

And something else I would like to ask you, as you seem to know Brazil quite well: Can I get around without speaking Portuguese, do people understand English?

You're right, I know Brazil, especially Rio i know by heart - since I am Brazilian and live here.
I have to dissappoint you about the English, not very common, but depending on the area. I would say its like in France :) I was in Paris some years ago, and it was nightmare in that sens, nobody in the street would understand me!

But here in Brazil you'll always manage, because people make a big effort to communicate somehow, with or without words

Hello Denise,
Not so pleasant to hear, but true - French do not make much effort with speaking other languages. But its slowly changing, I hope. It has to!
Have a wonderful day! Laurent

Hi denise, i'm interested to do an mba in brazil. would you go to rio or to sao paulo to do that?
i heard that in sao paulo all the economical activity of brazil is concentrated (whereas in rio its about beach and party, to go into the cliché).

but, does that mean its more advisable to go to sao paulo for mba? whats your view on that?

Hi, in Sao Paulo is more offer to do an MBA.
But to give you more detailed information, please let me know what kind of MBA you're interested in.
Important to know as well: how is your Portuguese? I guess you're from a SPanish speaking country? In Sao Paulo you have more study possibilities in English that why I ask.
Denise

Hi,
My Portuguese is at an ok comprehension level (of course, its not so far away from Spanish), but writing, studying would cost me a lot of effort.
As for which kind of MBA, Iam not so sure yet, strategic management or something. I work in the film business, and Brazil is interesting for me because you have more intense contact with US and Europe in that field than us.
I am from Colombia, and there is almost nothing going on..

I see, cinema! It's not my field, but I know some things about film business.
First thing I can tell you: The activity is really shared between Sao Paulo and Rio, I would even say, most of the companies which have an activity going outside regional market, are in both cities. Either they have 2 offices, or they travel a lot back and forth. Connection between Rio ans Sao Paulo is quick and cheap, timewise it is like a (longer) metro trip in London or something.

Let me see for more details about MBAs that would be suitable. I'll come back to you Lucho!

Think about it, if Portuguese would be doable for you, then check out Universidade de Sao Paulo, they offer a whole list of programs in specialized fields, which could be interesting for your career goals. I have heard good things about the level.
Are you interested by Executive MBA or not? SOme more infos?

A part time MBA would be the best.
Besides, I am more orientated towards the technical apects of film business, like new technologies in distribution of media. Brazil is very interesting here, I am impressed. We could learn a lot from you in Columbia! Well, that's why I want to have a closer look :)

Anyways, thanks so much Denise, you are being very nice and helpful!

Hello, I don't have good news for you..
Actually, the choice of English MBAs in Brazil is VERY limited. There are only three, as far as I know:

In Rio: The Global Partners MBA at COPPEAD
In Sao Paulo: at Universidade de São Paulo, FIA
and at BSP.

Those are good programs, but very internationally orientated, with integrated studying periods in NOrth American or European schools. And the tuitions are high, international standards.
Maybe you should consider going to Mexico? You can fin some good MBA programs there, and you'll have a big choice because of language. Besides, cinema business is not bad there I think!

Ok, denise, how you decribe it, there is nothing for me in Brazil! That's a pity!
As for Mexico, I don't know, I am not really tempted. Better Argentina, I will have a look.

I didn't want to scare you off, Lucho. Maybe you can manage to do one of these good MBS in English, like COPPEAD, by finding a way to finance it. Did you have a look on sponsorship possibilities? Please share, I would like to know more about that! Thanks

Hi Denise,
the problem is that the company I work for now, will never finance my MBA, not even participate a bit.
Anyways I want to change and find a new, more interesting job. The MBA could open some doors...

I will check out the websites of the schools to see what sponsorship possibilities they have - and let you know!

Hi Lucho,
I've been checking this question regarding COPPEAD. For the global partners MBA, which is the one in English, a sponsorship is not really an option I think. You can try to achieve a loan, but that's of course not the same thing. And tuition fees are quite high, more than 35 000 USD, you might not carry the burdon of this kind of loan...
And after all it would be good to be US citizen or European, I don't know if a loan will be granted to you coming from Columbia. That is where you live right now, no?

I have looked through the websites of English MBAs in Brazil, to investigate about fees and possibilities of sponsorships. Most of the time there is not even information about the fees. And really nothing about sponsorships.
I guess I can forget it - or did anyone else get sponsorship for a brasilian MBA??