Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil
What is something on your bucket list?
I want to go on a bicycle adventure through the vineyards of Italy with my husband. Enjoy the yards, wine, and food. I can picture myself enjoying this moment.
What’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to and why?
Paraty, Brazil. It is a small town backed by mountains on Brazil's Costa Verde, between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. My husband and I visited there for our little honeymoon. We drove for four hours from Sao Paulo and settled into a charming, cozy inn. Each morning, breakfast awaited us on the balcony, allowing us to start our day with a scenic meal. Our days were filled with a boat excursion, swimming, and exploring the historic city. This getaway was a special experience, providing us with relaxation and fond memories.
What is a favorite family tradition?
We have a Secret Santa tradition during Christmas at my grandmother's house. More than 15 of us from the family gather to play. It's really enjoyable, and everyone, including the kids, joins in. Even family members from different cities come together at my grandmother's house for this special reunion. We prepare a big supper, and each one brings their favorite dish. We start eating before 12 p.m., and then after 12 a.m., we start the game.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Attending an MBA program abroad was something I never thought could happen to me, especially being at one of the top universities in the U.S. It's still a bit unbelievable, but I'm really proud of myself for always being brave and achieving something that significant.
What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
Moving to a new country, coming from Brazil, was the hardest thing I've ever done. I moved to the U.S. with my husband just a few months before the pandemic started. When we got to Atlanta, we had to live on our friend's couch for nine months because our visas got delayed due to the pandemic and our savings could last for only three months. We had to decide whether to wait for the visa here or go back to Brazil.
We stayed here. After nine months, we got the visa and our lives started flowing. Living in a new country sometimes is very hard because of the culture and missing family and friends. But I don't regret the choices we made. Our experience has been really good and valuable. We are building our family and community here. Having trustworthy friends is the most valuable part of living in a foreign country.
What is your latest book recommendation?
“The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg. This book explains why habits exist and how they can be changed, showing how we can use this knowledge to improve our lives. The book inspired me to create a new habit that I was procrastinating—working out at 6 a.m. Initially, waking up early for the gym was quite challenging. But after a month, I've successfully kept up with it.
Your life story in one sentence:
Nothing is impossible if you have faith and determination.
Why did you want to come to Scheller?
I want to boost my career in the education sector, and getting an MBA from Scheller makes perfect sense. They emphasize leadership and hands-on experience, including an International Practicum, which is great for someone like me. Plus, the Georgia Tech program has been ranked as the top part-time MBA program in Georgia.
