FGV Double Diploma: Get to know the international experience of a student in Italy
Luiza Amorim chose to enter a professional master's degree after accumulating a decade of professional experience, finding herself at a strategic moment in her career. Their goal was to broaden their knowledge of public policy and establish a more robust and diverse network of contacts. With a degree in International Relations, she chose the Professional Master's Degree in Management and Public Policy (MPGPP) from the School of Business Administration of São Paulo (FGV EAESP) as the next step in her academic and professional career.
During the selection process, he discovered the option of a double degree – in which it is possible to study one year in São Paulo and another year at a partner university, receiving two diplomas, one from each institution. At Luiza's time, the Program offered two options for double degrees – with Columbia University, in New York, and with Luigi Bocconi University, in Milan. Currently, the MPGPP already has a partnership with the Institute of Development Studies, in Bristol, and is negotiating with Georgetown University, in Washington, HertieSchool, in Berlin, and Fudan University, in Xangay.
Wanting to broaden her academic and professional horizons, Luiza opted for Bocconi for the presence of internationally recognized professors, all at no additional cost to her FGV tuition. "Bocconi is the Harvard of Italy. I studied a lot about it before choosing it and saw that it has an impeccable tradition, especially for those who want to work with international organizations and the economic area, whether in Europe or globally", adds Luiza Amorim.
This choice was strategic, in line with Luiza's professional goals of migrating to global positions in international organizations, such as the UN. He saw in Bocconi an opportunity to differentiate his curriculum for this purpose. "I already knew that the UN had two agencies in Italy and that Bocconi would be a differential in my curriculum. The double degree is a fantastic opportunity to have all this cultural exchange, two diplomas from two very solid organizations and potentially make a career transition to work outside Brazil," explains Luiza. She further states that her transition to her current position as Senior Manager of Private Sector Partnerships at the United Nations World Food Programme was facilitated by the experience of her double degree at FGV, which provided a solid academic foundation.
About her year at FGV, Luiza highlighted the quality of the professors, the disciplines and the coordination of the course. "The subjects are very well structured, have a variety of very pertinent topics for those who want to delve into public policies and specialize in specific areas, in addition to extremely qualified professors, events on pertinent topics and numerous international opportunities, whether for exchange or double degrees," he adds. The MPGPP stands out for being a course with a very qualified and experienced audience, which generates debates of the highest quality. By going to Bocconi with her FGV baggage, Luiza was able to make comparisons of cases between Brazil and European countries, expanding the knowledge acquired here.
Tips for studying abroad
In the case of Luiza, who studied at Bocconi, her first recommendation is to acquire basic notions of Italian. Although classes at Bocconi are taught in English and there are introductory Italian courses, mastering the language makes everyday life easier in Milan, a cosmopolitan city that is culturally rich and full of professional opportunities, and in Italy.
Other suggestions from Luiza include dedicating herself to reading to choose between the two programs offered by Bocconi, as they are different – the PPA, with a greater focus on Political Science, and the GIO more focused on public management. In addition, she encourages talking to the MPGPP coordination, FGV's international programs team, and alumni to obtain information about the college, the city, and bureaucratic procedures in Italy. It is crucial, according to her, to carry out strategic and financial planning for the next steps when moving to another country, whether it is seeking scholarships, internships, or jobs in the local public or private sector. Having clarity about the topic of the dissertation is also essential for better communication with advisors in both countries. In short, it is essential to make the most of the opportunities provided by the double degree.
Finally, Luiza points out that Bocconi's program is complementary to FGV's in several aspects. For example, the program requires full-time dedication, has an international student community, and has its own educational approach. For her, the experience of the double degree is enriching for anyone interested in broadening their academic and professional horizons, enabling a career transition to the global market. "On top of that, you'll get two degrees from renowned institutions, combining that with amazing life experience and meeting fantastic people along the way. Certainly, this will transform your life", concludes Luiza.
To learn more about the MPGPP, visit the website.
