“Coming in contact with Brazilian society will change your way of thinking: it could be more useful than dozens of lectures on the same theme.” International Relations graduate Giuseppe Macca will speak about his experience in San Paolo at the November 23, 2015 celebration of the new partnership between LUISS and Brazil.
While completing his bachelor’s degree program in Political Science, Giuseppe spent a semester in Argentina, studying at the Fundaciòn UADE in Buenos Aires. “After that experience, I became fascinated with South America. I wanted to learn more about the region’s most important economy and add Portuguese to the Spanish that I already knew.”
Therefore, during the first year of his master’s program, Giuseppe applied for a semester at San Paolo’s Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado (FAAP). “This university is located in a great part of the city, near its heart, Avenida Paulista. It’s not too big of a school and it’s well organized. Foreign students are given lots of support and there are excellent facilities including a gym, computer labs, libraries and modern study areas. I tried to be really active on campus. Playing sports, joining clubs and participating in extracurricular activities are the best ways to meet Paulistanos.”
In July 2015, Giuseppe graduated with full marks and honors, writing a thesis on Brazilian Sustainable Development with Professor Marcello Di Paola. I think the experience abroad helped me adapt to new situations easier, and to work better with people from different cultures and lifestyles. Besides learning two foreign languages in addition to English, these skills will surely be an advantage in the globalizing job market.”
Giuseppe recalls, “Brazil is in a phase of rapid expansion. It is really positive that LUISS is working with countries increasing in relevance not only from an economic point of view, but also political. For example, Brazil is a model for green energy policy, promoting alternative sources as a viable area of development. In other aspects, however, Brazil still has a long way to go, creating partnerships with European universities is an excellent strategy to exchange know-how.”
Giuseppe has already begun his career in the international development sector, collaborating with a Canadian startup within the MIT world. "To those interested in an exchange or work experience in Brazil, I would advise them to pay close attention to the culture, lifestyle, current events and society. Security is certainly an issue to keep in mind, but the city is very livable, fun and stimulating. My final piece of advice would be to talk to people! Brazilians are very open, even when meeting you for the first time. Even in stores, people are happy to chat with newcomers, even it if means making other customers wait!”