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Coming to UC Berkeley was an easy decision for Fatio from São Paulo, Brazil, who, at the time of applying, was a finance student at Insper Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa. “I decided to apply to BGA because of the name — everybody knows about Berkeley and how great of a university it is,” he says.
He saw it as a chance to enhance his knowledge. And that’s precisely what he did by joining specialized courses such as International Trade, Advanced Financial Accounting, Technology Firm Leadership, and Asset Pricing and Portfolio Choice.
Fatio found himself deeply engaged in the high-level discussions that characterized his classes, particularly enjoying the debate culture that contrasted with his past experiences in Brazil.
“Berkeley students are committed to their classes, so the discussions are at a really high level,” he says.
To unwind, he thrived in Berkeley’s diverse community, making lifelong friends from around the world. By joining a German soccer team, he experienced new cultures firsthand through practice and social gatherings, like a memorable dinner at a rabbi’s house in San Francisco.
“This experience is really different because it offers an exchange of cultures and communities, and you start learning new things about different countries and being exposed to different beliefs,” he says.
Fatio also embarked on adventures throughout Northern California, cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge, wine tasting in Napa, and hiking in Yosemite.
After his program ended, leaving life in California behind was tough, but Fatio had a lot to look forward to back home.
His time at Berkeley directly contributed to his success in landing and navigating his internship at igc partners in Brazil. “Berkeley definitely helped me gain experience and the knowledge to do it,” says the final-year student. “I believe I'm going to be doing this type of work for some years ahead.”
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