For the majority of the people in our group, it was a long and special day of exciting activities. Many have grown closer than before and as the week is ending, it will be hard to imagine the reality of our short but hopefully leading to long-term relationships as students living in two very distinct countries and overall completely different lifestyles yet can find common interests and goals for connecting and understanding each other. On the fifth day, we started with a great presentation and debate-discussion session at B3, which is the largest stock exchange in South America. Followed by a guided tour of a recently opened museum showcasing the history of the stock exchange in Brazil with important historical objects, figures, and documents. UNIFESP’s very own Professor Bolivar G. De Oliveira Filho started his career as a broker for Noroeste which did business at the predecessor of B3, The São Paulo Stock Exchange (Bovespa). I asked how stressful was your position and how long you worked. He stated, « My position I believe was regularly very stressful, as I had to negotiate for the clients and made trades with people on the trading floor simultaneously using one phone in each ear. I worked for approximately 10 years and then worked as a banker for 33 years. » I am grateful to have been able to talk to him briefly and am thankful he was able to answer my questions. Due to time constraints, no special lunch arrangements could be made however got the opportunity to experience the Brazilian McDonald’s McCrispy Deluxe Combo with Chocolate Shake. After eating lunch, we could have an appropriate 1 hour bus drive to learn about Instituto by
de Campinas (IAC) and its work in Brazilian Agriculture research. Following that, we visited the Coffee farm. A guided tour was given, interesting facts such as the visit to Campinas young Queen Elizabeth (1960’s) as well as how Brazil went from high GDP dependency on coffee and now it is minuscule for brazils GDP as the oil and gas industry has taken over through oil and renewable energy. The day ended with a visit to a park which was very interesting and scenic. Lastly had an excellent dinner at Consagrado's. Three more full days left in São Paulo. I do miss home but also it will be a bit emotional yet a great motivation to come back soon.
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