ESSEC Alumni in Brazil: “This country is the best at mixing cultures”

A land of opportunities for expats from all around the world: Yvan Bernardin (E91), Head of ESSEC Alumni’s Brazil Chapter, tells us more about the local community and the services he offers.

ESSEC Alumni: What are the profiles of our alumni in Brazil?

Yvan Bernardin: 42% work in the corporate services industry: consulting, banking, insurance, investment, digital, IT, telecom… 29,5% are entrepreneurs or self-employed, 20% are CFOs, and 15% are CEOs. It is worth noting that 73% work in São Paulo while only 17,6% live in Rio de Janeiro.

EA: What opportunities are there in Brazil for our alumni? 

Y. Bernardin: Whatever the sector and function, our alumni bring significant added value to the companies where they work in Brazil because they often have a higher level of training than local employees. They usually get many opportunities in services, as stated before. Some have invested or found a job in fast-growing start-ups.

EA: What careers can our alumni have in Brazil?

Y. Bernardin: Our alumni can have a great career here – all the more since France is a great source of inspiration for Brazilian elites, both for the quality of its teaching, its historical and artistic richness, and its values, which reflects positively on us. However most of our alumni rather stay here for a short period and use this experience as a springboard for other projects in relation to the area. Remember that Brazil represents 50% of South America in terms of territory, population and GDP, so it acts as an interface or a platform between the continent and the rest of the world in many sectors.

EA: As a foreigner, what makes it interesting to live in Brazil? 

Y. Bernardin: Those who stay in Brazil for a long time usually do so because they nurture a personal attraction for the local way of life and people. This country is the best example of ‘miscigenation’ (mixing of cultures). It has been welcoming uninterrupted waves of immigration since the Portuguese colonization, constantly bringing together new influences. Hence, there is a great diversity between regions in terms of identity and development, which makes Brazil a territory never fully explored, a land of modern adventures… 

EA: What advice do you have for our alumni moving in Brazil? 

Y. Bernardin: First, learn Portuguese, as this will facilitate your integration and open more doors. If you are looking for a job, don't be too demanding; the most important thing is to get your first position. Once you are there, you will be more visible on the employment market and seem more desirable for recruiters. And don't worry, turnover is high in Brazil.

EA: How do you connect with Brazilians?

Y. Bernardin: Never forget that you have to adapt to the country, not the contrary. Be humble, patient and understanding towards the locals. Watch out for them: they’ll want to learn from you, but you also have a lot to learn from them. 

EA: What is the offer of ESSEC Alumni’s Brazil Chapter? 

Y. Bernardin: We welcome newcomers so as to facilitate their personal and professional integration in Brazil, and we organize gatherings with the local community – sometimes with alumni from other business schools – every month. After 2 years of interruption due to the pandemic, we have started our bimonthly dinner in São Paulo again, as part of a gastronomic "world tour" that has taken us to more than 180 restaurants of various culinary traditions since 2000. During the pandemic, we organized a monthly thematic Zoom with an expert, followed by a talk with one of our alumni sharing his story in Brazil. With the return of in-person gatherings, we stopped them but we may relaunch them in the future, because it was a rich and different experience. We also send a bimonthly newsletter about our events, arrivals and departures among the community, local appointments and success stories, special offers… You can also follow our news on our page on ESSEC Alumni’s website and in our groups on LinkedIn and on Facebook. Come and join us!

EA: Who are the members of your team? Do you need more volunteers to get involved? 

Y. Bernardin: We created a team of advisors during the pandemic. Jean-Noël Hardy (E75) and Ricardo Perez Nuckel (E00) were the first to join, and other alumni should join us too in the future.

Interview by Louis Armengaud Wurmser (E10), Content Manager at ESSEC Alumni 

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