Five nationalities, 55 students, and 10 days of challenge: Global Business Experience begins at ESEG.

This Monday (May 13th), 55 students and seven professors from five different nationalities gathered at ESEG – Faculdade do Grupo Etapa to continue the in-person phase of the 2024 Global Business Experience. Now, visiting Brazil until next week, the students must develop a business plan for a partner company. To do so, they will participate in immersion activities during the event.

The Global Business Experience began with an online introductory class in early March. Students met virtually and developed approach techniques, business analyses, and partnerships over two months. This in-person meeting is the starting point for visits to companies and, subsequently, the project's culmination with a presentation at ESEG.

Participants in this edition come from five countries: United States (Washburn University), Belgium (PXL University College), Netherlands (Zuyd University of Applied Sciences), China (Wuhan University of Applied Sciences), and Brazil (ESEG and UMESP).

In addition to gaining experience in Business, students will also experience a cultural immersion in Brazil, enhanced by direct contact with ESEG students.

What is Global Business Experience?

The Global Business Experience is an activity promoted by five universities located in the USA, Belgium, the Netherlands, China, and Brazil. The countries alternate hosting each edition. In 2024, ESEG is responsible for organizing the event that brings together students from all over the world.

Divided into mixed groups, students are invited to solve challenges proposed by companies in the host country. The experience lasts about three months and is divided into an online phase and an in-person phase that concludes the activities of this edition.

Each challenge encompasses a different business area, such as Marketing, Sales, Management, etc. The idea is to understand the company's local and global context and develop solutions collaboratively.

This year, the challenges were permeated by digital changes in the business world. Examples include the development of live commerce platforms, e-commerce platforms, and an app aimed at dentists, proposals from the companies IEST, Higimed, and Grupo Salus, respectively. In addition, challenges involved improving manufacturing production by MIDEA and developing a marketing plan for the Commercial Merit award.

Cultural immersion in exchange programs.

International education goes far beyond academic studies. By experiencing situations that bring together diverse nationalities, students have the chance to live and interact with various cultures and people they would not otherwise encounter.

Understanding and interacting in multicultural settings brings numerous benefits. Beyond the more obvious ones, such as broadening one's horizons and knowledge, these opportunities enhance skills like empathy, solidarity, sisterhood, compassion, and understanding. Because, by interacting with people from different backgrounds, it becomes easier to understand others.

People who are constantly exposed to differences end up being more resilient and creative, adapt better to adverse situations, and have a sharp mind for problem-solving, since they get used to being in situations of differences.

Here at ESEG – Faculdade do Grupo Etapa, we continuously promote the internationalization of our students because, in addition to career and market advantages, it also contributes to the effective and complete development of the individual.