The Stanford Business Reporter

Brazil Study Trip group.

A view of an iron ore mine in Brazil.

Sam Keating, MBA2, sat slowly back in his Tourmania Bus seat, his eyes glazing over as he descended into a maniacal laughing fit. Like his trip-mates, Sam had been averaging about 3 hours of sleep per night for the past week. He had on his favorite shiny Brazilian pants and slip-on black shoes that, due to people inadvertently hiding his luggage, he had been wearing for the past 3 days. He had been afflicted by a strange illness that caused coughing spasms if he did not have a narcotic Brazilian lozenge in his mouth at all times. We had all just been informed that our upcoming early-morning three-hour meeting would feature neither a plant tour nor the scheduled appearance of the CEO – an announcement that pushed Sam over the edge. As Sam’s high-pitched, insane laughter finally subsided and he reclined back into his chair, one could barely make out his whisper: “The horror, the horror.”

      Despite the difficulties experienced by Sam and his trip-mates during our journey into the rain forest and back, the trip bore little resemblance to a Conrad novel. Rather, the 2001 Brazil study trip provided a rich picture of business and culture in Brazil and featured unforgettable experiences and glimpses into this remarkable, diverse country.

Rio de Janeiro

      From our base on Copacabana beach, the group explored Rio’s cultural offerings such as dancing with a Samba school, touring Brazilian favelas (impoverished Brazilian communities), sampling the local museums, and visiting the famous Corcovado, which (we are told) usually affords marvelous views of the entire city. Of course, the group was also busy meeting with entities such as The Committee for Democracy in Information Technology (a non-profit that works to provide students with access to information technology), McKinsey, Globo (a conglomerate that dominates media in Brazil), and Armínio Fraga (Governor, Banco Central do Brasil).

      Mr. Fraga presented a lucid and insightful view of Brazil’s current economic situation and his plans to further improve his country’s economic health. Most impressive, however, was his exit – a sudden, lightning-quick “Goodbye, thank you, I need to go now” that fit seamlessly onto the end of his answer to the last question. Luckily for us, Vanessa Freeman, MBA1, the designated thank-you-gift-giver for the meeting was up to the task; she immediately popped up from her chair and sprinted down the hall after the finance minister, dodging armed guards to ensure that he was properly thanked.

      Another highlight was the exclusive tour of Globo TV’s studio that magically transported the group to settings like Morocco, 18th century Brazil, and a small fishing village. We also witnessed the filming of a tele-novela (Brazilian soap opera) that culminated in our tour guide running up and kissing one of the apparently famous actors.

Carajás

      Tucked away in the middle of the rain forest, the mining town of Carajás proved to be our most spectacular stop, thanks to the hospitality of the Companhia Vale Do Rio Doce (CVRD). CVRD, the world’s leading producer of iron ore and former employer of Claudio Galeno de Araujo Filho, MBA2, truly provided VIP treatment. Their army of hostesses explained their mining operations and environmental policy, gave us tours of their gigantic iron ore mines and facilities (featuring a climb up on one of the world’s largest trucks), and showed us their impressive planned community, including zoo, residential area, schools, and botanical garden.

      The company housed us in their guest lodge – a picturesque resort complex perched on a plateau in the middle of the rain forest. Along with enjoying the steam room, pool, dedicated bartender, and tennis courts, our group was also treated to Brega dance lessons, with some questionable results.

São Paulo

      Our stay in the world’s second largest city was packed with meetings, including Endeavor, AES, Embraer, Ford, Promon IP, and CARF (Children at Risk Foundation), but also afforded us the opportunity to go clubbing with Maria Anita Martinez, MBA2 and barbecue at the residence of Philip Reade, MBA2.

      Highlights included a tour of Embraer’s airplane manufacturing plant (which affixed a permanent smile on Randy Schwemmin’s, MBA2, face) and a view of AES’s control center. Our last meeting with CARF, a non-profit that works to detoxify and socially reintegrate Sao Paulo’s street children, featured amazing student performances of the Brazilian martial art, capoeira.

And, to top it all off, Sam even got his luggage back on the last day.

     

     

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