Do you want to study at FAU, but still have questions about this international experience? Check out the interview with our student Luís Gomez.
1. What motivated you to take a course abroad? How did you learn about IBS Americas?
The desire to learn new things is in my DNA. This, combined with my aspiration to experience in-person classes at a university in the United States, was what motivated me to take this course. I first learned about IBS through a promotion at the university where I completed my master’s degree in project management and through social media.
2. What is your academic background, and what were your expectations for the international program?
I am a civil engineer with a master’s degree in project management. My expectations, which were fully met, included experiencing cultural exchange, expanding my professional network, and mastering financial evaluation of companies, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and the stock market.
3. How did you choose the course and university? What were the key factors in your decision?
I chose the course easily thanks to the scholarship. The key factors in my decision were cost, accessibility, and the prestige of FAU.
4. What were the main challenges you faced in a foreign country, with a different language and classmates from various nationalities?
The biggest challenges were daily transportation to the university and adapting to the course topics, as some subjects were not directly related to my career. However, given my managerial position in recent years, acquiring this knowledge was essential. My classmates were amazing, representing a diverse range of nationalities—mostly from Brazil, with a smaller presence from Guatemala, Venezuela, Poland, and the Dominican Republic.
5. How would you evaluate the quality of teaching, infrastructure, and resources provided by the university?
The quality of teaching was excellent, with no wasted time in either the Finance program or the Business English course. The professors’ patience and dedication to each student were crucial to the program’s success.
6. What were the key learnings and skills you developed during the course?
Some of the key takeaways include basic terms related to mergers and acquisitions, understanding of financial indicators (KPIs), key concepts for stock market evaluation, and business case studies and real-time project analysis.
7. What places did you have the opportunity to visit during your free time?
I had the chance to visit family and friends living in Florida. During my stay, I also explored local attractions and shopping centers, including Aventura Mall and Dolphin Mall. Additionally, I spent time in Boca Raton, Brickell, Fort Lauderdale, and South Beach.
8. How were your experiences with lectures and company visits?
I found the visits to three companies fascinating, each with its own unique market approach.
1. Avenue is a company that serves as a bridge, connecting Brazilian investors to the U.S. stock market.
2. Phoenix International Towers is a real estate company that acquires land, installs towers and antennas, and leases it to telecom companies worldwide. The insights from founder Dagan Kasavana were truly inspiring, capturing the entrepreneurial spirit. This visit was the most valuable to me, as it provided access to a financial analysis model for project approval by stakeholders.
3. ManaTech is a company dedicated to supporting startups, helping them reach their full potential. To qualify, startups must offer innovative solutions, address a real problem, and have a technology-based foundation.
9. Did you expand your network during the course? Could you share a bit about that experience?
Absolutely! I expanded my international network of friends and professional contacts through the course. I connected with many people, and I still keep in touch with them today. This experience also opened new doors for exploring different business models in the future.
10. How will this international experience impact your career?
I noticed an immediate impact on my career: an expanded professional network across different industries and a fresh perspective on business—both personally and professionally.
11. What advice would you give to students and professionals interested in studying abroad with IBS Americas?
My advice is: do everything you can to participate in these programs! It’s an opportunity that every student should take advantage of.
