Details

• Brazil
• MACEMS-25
• Graduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

The preparation process was generally smooth, and I was quite satisfied with the information provided beforehand. I applied for my visa in person at the Brazilian embassy in Vienna. The staff was very friendly, and as a German citizen, the visa was completely free of charge. I highly recommend starting the visa process early and going to the embassy in person. I would not rely on online procedures for this. Regarding health preparations, I didn't get any specific vaccinations before leaving. I later got the yellow fever vaccine directly in Brazil before traveling to the Amazon (which is an absolute must-do!). Fortunately, I didn't experience any strong side effects (though that is not medical advice, of course!). When it came to university registration and course selection, Chander from FGV was incredibly helpful. As with any exchange, things can feel a bit confusing at the very beginning, but everything was explained clearly, and the overall process went very well.

2. Accommodation

My accommodation search was a bit different from most exchange students. Many people chose to stay in a student residence called Uliving. I visited it a few times and it seemed really nice with a great community and a lot of social interaction, though the rooms did not offer much space. If you are looking for that kind of housing, I recommend checking out other exchange reports for more details. I personally decided to rent an Airbnb for the entire semester, which cost me around 500 EUR per month. I found a lovely little bungalow with one or two rooms situated in a garden behind a house. It was located in the Pacaembu neighborhood, right near the Estádio Pacaembu and the football museum. This setup was quite unique since most apartments in São Paulo are in high-rise buildings. Even though it was at ground level, it felt completely safe because the property was fully walled off. I was very satisfied with this choice as it offered much more privacy than the student residence. The location was great. It was about a 30-minute walk to the FGV campus, but I honestly ended up taking an Uber to university most of the time. Uber is very affordable in São Paulo, so the convenience was absolutely worth the money.

3. Academic life at host university

I was part of the CEMS program, so I took the mandatory CEMS courses. The Business Project (I did mine with Google) was quite intensive, but the workload was still very manageable. Overall, the academic workload was definitely a bit lighter compared to my home university, WU Vienna. The language of instruction for my main courses was English, and all the professors I dealt with spoke it well. I also took a Portuguese language course on the side, which I recommend. Regarding attendance, there was generally no strict mandatory policy, although a few specific classes did use attendance checklists. It really just depends on the individual course and professor. The FGV campus is located right in the middle of the city. Despite the urban setting, it has a couple of nice chill areas to relax between classes. One feature that completely blew my mind the first time I saw it is an outdoor area that feels easily accessible from the street, but it is actually located up on the seventh floor. The people on campus were consistently nice. Brazilians in general are known for being very friendly and welcoming, and that was exactly my experience at the university.

5. Every day life in the host country

For public transport, I pretty much relied entirely on Uber. São Paulo does have a metro network, and friends who used it were generally satisfied with it, though I also saw wild pictures of flooded stations at times. Some people raised safety concerns regarding pickpocketing on public transit, so you need to be mindful of your belongings. Since Uber is cheap and practical, I personally never used the metro once. Regarding safety, I never felt threatened or had an outright bad feeling, and my phone was never snatched. However, you have to stay alert and simply not be careless. The only incident I experienced was during Carnival in São Paulo at a Calvin Harris block party. I was chatting with some friendly locals about football in a dense crowd, but they turned out to be a distraction. In the middle of the crush, someone managed to reach into my bag. Luckily, there was only about 5 EUR inside, so no harm done, but it proves how quickly pickpocketing can happen. Some friends had their phones stolen in Parque Ibirapuera. If your phone gets stolen, filing a police report is an option, but the reality is that the police usually can't do much and it will be gone. When traveling to Rio, be mindful of where you go. Visiting certain favelas there can be an interesting cultural experience, but do it with proper respect and local guidance. In São Paulo, avoid favelas entirely; they do not cater to tourism at all. Beyond caution, everyday life is incredible. São Paulo offers endless options for dining, nightlife, and going out. The energy of the people is amazing, and you can easily have a great time anywhere. The country as a whole is enormous and fantastic for traveling, whether heading to Rio for Carnival or visiting places like Trancoso and the Amazon. For sports, there are plenty of activities available. I tried out different martial arts around the city, which was a great experience, and FGV itself offers sports options like basketball and football.

6. Testimonial

My exchange in Brazil was an absolute 10 out of 10. It genuinely changed my life, allowing me to meet wonderful people and see incredible things. Looking back, it was probably the best time of my life so far. The country offers an unbelievable quality of life. I am definitely planning to return, likely later this year. I was lucky enough to get this spot by lottery, but if I had to do it again, FGV and Brazil would absolutely be my number one choice. When it comes to my highlights, experiencing Carnival in real life was amazing, and the restaurant scene in Brazil is top-notch. My two absolute favorite experiences were my trips. First, the Amazon: traveling beyond Manaus deep into the jungle for a safari, where we even caught and ate piranhas. Second, a tour along the stunning beaches between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The nature there is simply breathtaking. As a mentor, my best advice is that I do not want to give too much away. Everyone has to make their own experiences, and my journey was very unique compared to others. Just go with an open mind, enjoy the ride, and embrace whatever comes your way.