Emerging Markets Student Profile: Marina Silva

Name: Marina Silva

Program/major: Bachelor of Commerce (International Business)

Career aspirations: My career aspirations include working with exports and business development and collaborating with my family business to expand operations and reach for new markets.

Why were you interested in taking this course, Doing Business in Emerging Markets?

I considered this a unique opportunity to participate in a course with a select set of students in which I could share experiences and take a much more hands-on approach to learning than in regular courses. Also, I am particularly interested in emerging markets. I am from Brazil and part of my career plan is giving back to my country someday through doing business with Brazilian companies. That being said, this course was the perfect opportunity to be part of a course to push myself to reach higher standards and gain knowledge and experience doing business in emerging markets.

What do you expect to learn from your visit to Chile and Argentina?

Being an international student brought me awareness of how countries and people differ and how rich these relationships can be rather than scary. Through meetings with business people from Chile and Argentina I expect to learn about aspects they value in a business relationship, cultural values that are part of doing business in their region, and how much they differ from my own Brazilian culture. Also, I do expect to learn about their regions, capabilities, perceptions of the Canadian culture and ways of living.

How do you think this experience will impact your future career?

I believe this experience can impact my future career by bringing me confidence and knowledge on business relationships with Latin Americans. I am fortunate to be chosen to be part of this group and for having Latin roots, which will ease any future business development with Latin American countries. Moreover, exchanging experiences and information with our professors, partner companies, EDC and other Canadian officials is enriching my network of contacts, which is a valuable and unique resource students can bring with them after graduation.