# Brazil Office Fellowship: Past, Present and Future August 29, 2024 ![BO Fellows](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/2024-09/578A8FEA-66CF-42DC-AEE7-32414E74E52E.jpeg?itok=dzgEJmTd) *From Left to Right: Gabriella Gordon (Brazil Office Fellow 2023), Luis Jimenez-Ramirez (Brazil Office Fellow 2024), Liz Silva (Brazil Office Fellow 2024) and Daniela Betancourt (Brazil Office Fellow 2022).* The [Brazil Office Fellowship](https://drclas.harvard.edu/brazil-office-fellowship) is a unique opportunity for professional exchange at Harvard University’s Office in São Paulo. Lasting between six months and a year, the program is designed to align the Fellow’s background and interests with the needs of the Office. Fellows take on various roles, such as organizing programs, analyzing data, supporting faculty and students, and building connections between Harvard and Brazil. In this interview, we'll learn a bit more about the opportunity from past and current fellows. Interview with Gabriella Gordon (AB ‘23), and Elizabeth (Liz) Silva (AB ‘24) and Luis Jimenez-Ramirez (AB ‘24). This interview has been edited for length and clarity. **Every journey has a beginning. Can each of you tell us what initially sparked your interest in applying for the Brazil Office Fellowship? What was the key moment or experience that made you realize this was the right opportunity for you?** Liz: I knew from early on in my undergrad years that I wanted to have more contact with Brazil and Brazilian culture and have the opportunity to fully immerse myself in not only the culture that I was raised in, but also the culture that I profoundly connected with during my time at Harvard. However, getting to participate in various DRCLAS programs, particularly the ones in Brazil really helped solidify that desire. Participating in [SIP](https://drclas.harvard.edu/summer-internship-programs-sip) and [MLAB](https://drclas.harvard.edu/mentoring-and-language-acquisition-brazil-mlab) in São Paulo opened my eyes to a different, more cosmopolitan side of Brazil that greatly piqued my interest. Luis: Initially, my interest in coming to Brazil was sparked during my first Portuguese language class at Harvard. I then participated in SIP and MLAB through the Brazil Office, and with those experiences I began to develop a diverse relationship with the country. I think for me, the decision to apply for the Brazil Office Fellowship was inspired by a combination of my previous experiences with the Office, my interest in Brazil, and my uncertainty of what I wanted to be doing after graduation. The Brazil Office Fellowship seemed, to me, a great opportunity to explore the country in yet another unique way and gain valuable work experience. In other words, it felt like the perfect bridge between my college graduation and my long-term postgraduate track. Gabriella: I knew I wanted to spend a year post-graduation doing something meaningful but wasn’t sure what that might be. At the beginning of senior year, I began to engage more with the [Harvard Portuguese department](https://www.instagram.com/portuguese.harvard/) and learned about various Brazil Office programming such as MLAB where I was a mentor in the 2023 cohort. This experience really allowed me to glimpse into the work the Brazil Office does as well as gain more insight into Brazilian society. Participating in MLAB made me confident that I wanted to dive deeper into pursuing an opportunity in Brazil and interacting with the team really sealed the deal that this fellowship was what I wanted. **For the upcoming fellows, Liz and Luis, what specific projects or aspects within the fellowship are you most passionate about, and what draws you to them?** Liz: I am most drawn to the degree of exposure to Brazilian culture that I will have. I am not only interested in getting to know and understand more about the Brazilian realities in São Paulo, but also to learn about different aspects of Brazilian life through the various programs and events hosted by DRCLAS. Luis: As for projects, I think I am genuinely excited for all of them. I am certainly drawn to the possibility of organizing programs that I previously participated in, but I am just as intrigued by the prospect of becoming involved in programming that I am not yet familiar with. If I had to choose one project, I would probably say MLAB because of its emphasis on community-building that has a large impact on both the mentees and the mentors. I really appreciated the opportunity to bond with other mentors and work together to establish meaningful connections with and between the mentees that will hopefully aid them in their personal, academic, and professional endeavors. **Gabriella, as you look back on your year-long experience, what advice would you give to yourself at the start to better navigate the challenges and opportunities you encountered?** Gabriella: I would tell myself *fica tranquila* and not to worry because in any activity or period in life there are ups and downs but there is always support available to ensure success and good outcomes. **For Liz and Luis, as you prepare to embark on this journey yourselves, what learning experiences are you most looking forward to? And for Gabriella, was there a key moment in the fellowship that marked your professional and personal growth?** Liz: I am most looking forward to interacting with the people who attend and help organize the DRCLAS events in Brazil. The opportunity to engage with scholars and community members who are deeply involved in Brazilian studies and initiatives is incredibly exciting. I know that I have plenty to learn about Brazil's rich culture and history, and learning directly from those who have dedicated their lives to studying these topics, as well as from those who have personally experienced them greatly excites me. Luis: Through this Fellowship, I hope to pursue a variety of personal and professional ambitions. Personally, I would really like to solidify my cultural and linguistic fluency, learning how to navigate Brazilian systems and relationships as well as reaching a high level of proficiency in the Portuguese language. I also hope to explore the nuances of being a resident of the enormous metropolis that is São Paulo. Professionally, I am really looking forward to forming part of the Brazil Office team, learning from and working along others while we bring these diverse programs to life. Gabriella: I would have to say that supporting the MLAB program had a significant impact on my experience. Having previously participated in the program as a student, I was able to provide a student perspective in planning while also understanding the logistics of such a colossal endeavor. Getting this 360-degree view of the program was eye-opening, giving me a greater appreciation for the program’s purpose and a greater sense of my professional abilities. **Finally, to all three of you: how do you foresee this fellowship influencing your long-term career goals? And what legacy do you hope to leave behind?** Liz: I think this fellowship will influence my long-term career goals by opening my eyes to new forms of interacting with Brazil on a professional level. Gabriella: This fellowship has provided me with invaluable Portuguese language skills, a network of amazing individuals and organizations operating in Brazil, and an expanded understanding of the diverse opportunities and areas of work/study that are of interest to me. Long-term, I hope to use all I’ve gained in advancing sustainable development in South America and the Caribbean, mainly in health and education. Luis: Along the lines of what I have responded to the previous questions, I hope that the experience of transitioning into the real world, especially in a place like Brazil that is so culturally and linguistically distinct from what I grew up with, enables me to navigate the world independently and confidently. Additionally, I expect that the relationships I build during my time here will help me acquire a more comprehensive understanding of humanity and will be something I carry with me when assessing who I want to be and what role I want to play in life. As an aspiring professional, I am looking forward to the skills I will develop through this Fellowship—all of the things I will learn from different members of the team and through my own work. I look forward to diversifying and enhancing my work experience so that when I figure out my next steps, I am prepared to present myself as a capable candidate. As for what I would like to leave behind in exchange, I think it is a matter of really fulfilling the role of a Brazil Office Fellow to the best of my ability. I want to do my part to ensure that the Office’s fantastic programs continue running so that we can add on to the long list of students who have participated in and benefitted from the unique experiences these programs provide. I hope to contribute continuity and offer insight for potential enhancements of the work the Brazil Office does for Harvard students each year so that they, too, can perceive and become enamored with the uniqueness of Brazil. Interview conducted by Maria Lidiane Rodrigues, Communications Analyst, DRCLAS Brazil Office. See also:- [ Brazil ](/locations/brazil) - [ Brazil Studies ](/programs-initiatives/brazil-studies) Share on:- [ Facebook ](#) - [ Twitter ](#) - [ Linkedin ](#)