Harvard Summer Program Welcomes Brazilians to Global Cohort
This year’s edition of Harvard Summer School brought together students from around the world for an intensive academic experience in Cambridge— including participants from the Brazilian institutions Inteli and Insper.
The Summer School’s Partnership Program, launched in 2022, was designed to position Harvard Summer School as a study abroad destination. It offers international students pre-program support with the application process and, once on campus, access to networking opportunities with Harvard faculty and peers through academic discussions, receptions, and related events. Participation has grown rapidly—from 40 students in its first year to nearly 300 in the latest edition—supported by more than 18 institutional partnerships, including Insper and Inteli in Brazil.
The DRCLAS Brazil Office coordinated with DCE Global, which visited Brazil with the aim to build partnerships, and played a role in fostering conversations between DCE Global and Brazilian institutions.
A few of the Brazilian students shared reflections that highlight the academic depth, cultural exchange, and personal growth that the DCE Global program fosters:
For Matheus Meirelles da Silva, the program surpassed every expectation. Before arriving, he was skeptical of the idea that one academic experience could be “life-changing.” That changed quickly—“I couldn’t have been more wrong,” he said. Matheus enrolled in a course on Negotiation and Organizational Conflict Resolution and was struck by how engaging and applicable the learning was. “The professor’s real-world activities were truly memorable, and I used the negotiation techniques I learned on my very first day back in Brazil.” But beyond the content, it was the atmosphere that left a mark. “It’s not just the course—it’s the people you meet, the environment, the feeling of walking where the greatest minds in history have walked. It made me want to study, explore, and grow every second I was there.”
Pedro Pelligrino, who took a course on Generative AI, emphasized how the program pushed him to think beyond the technical. “Studying AI at Harvard has been an immersion that goes far beyond the classroom,” he said. “Walking through Harvard Yard and engaging in heated debates in historic rooms made it clear how much the academic culture breathes curiosity and intellectual rigor.” For Pedro, the biggest takeaway was learning to confront technological challenges with a human-centered lens. “The hardest—and most important—part was addressing AI problems without losing sight of context: questioning biases, putting ethics at the center, and building prototypes that create real value.” The experience also expanded his sense of global connection. “I gained confidence working with peers from more than six countries and left with a deeper belief in Brazil’s role in shaping the future of innovation.”
Carol Magario, who took courses in Game Theory and Corporate Finance as part of the seven-week program, described her experience with both affection and awe. “Harvard had always seemed like a distant dream—studying at such an important and prestigious university felt like a fantasy that could only exist in my imagination. I believe the greatest beauty of chance is that dreams can become reality.” Carol chose the longer session to spend more time on campus and immerse herself in everything the university had to offer. “It was wonderful to be in a classroom with such a diverse group of people, each bringing something valuable to the table. The professors were incredibly kind and passionate, which made every class deeply engaging. Even though it’s a summer course, the academic commitment is real—you need to balance study and leisure, but it’s worth every second.” Reflecting on her time in Cambridge, she added: “Knowing you are part of something so big and unique is the best feeling in the world.”
The partnerships reflects Harvard’s commitment to Latin America, where efforts to deepen academic collaboration—through research, mobility, and institutional partnerships—continue to expand. It shows how academic exchange can create meaningful opportunities for students and foster lasting connections between institutions across borders.
For more information about the Harvard Summer School International Partnership Program click here.