Top 5 reasons to study in São Paulo

For those looking to obtain a business qualification, overseas study presents an exciting opportunity. In addition to their academic enrichment, international business students have the chance to learn about a new culture and work alongside people from all over the world.

Today, Brazil is the fifth-largest higher education market in the world. This, combined with its vibrant culture and status as a fast-growing economy, makes it an attractive place for the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs.

Studying in São Paulo primes international students for exciting careers in an international landscape

In particular, Brazil’s largest city, São Paulo, offers a student experience like no other. The huge metropolis is known for its thriving business centre and for being a melting pot of different cultures, including Japanese, Italian and Portuguese. We list the top five reasons why São Paulo is an excellent choice for those looking to study abroad.

Business is booming
Brazil’s economy has seen tremendous growth in recent years, making it an exciting place for those with an interest in business to study. São Paulo contributes to 18 percent of Brazil’s GDP and is widely considered to be the financial capital of the country. As well as allowing students to develop their knowledge of the Portuguese language, studying in São Paulo primes international students for exciting careers in an international landscape.

On the one hand, by gaining a greater understanding of Latin American culture, students can find themselves well placed for careers in one of São Paulo’s booming industries, such as banking, finance or telecommunications. Alternatively, students can use their education in São Paulo to kick-start a global career, having gained experience in a multicultural environment working with people from around the world.

Hotbed of culture
Paulistanos, as São Paulo’s residents are known, have a wealth of cultural activities at their fingertips. The city has more than 100 museums and 300 cinemas, as well as an international film festival that takes place each year. Among the city’s most famous museums is the Pinacoteca, the oldest museum in São Paulo, which has around 9,000 artworks. It is situated in the centre of the old city and surrounded by the Jardim da Luz garden.

Another is the Museum of Art of São Paulo, which displays famous artworks by Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh, among others. The building is easily recognisable for its iconic design, courtesy of modernist architect Lina Bo Bardi. Outside the museum walls, the city also has a thriving street art scene, with the Beco de Batman (Batman’s Alley) displaying the city’s highest concentration of street art murals.

A global city
Modern São Paulo has been shaped by immigration. The city experienced a number of migration waves from the mid-19th century to the start of the 21st, with populations relocating from across Europe and Asia. Today, São Paulo has one of the most ethnically diverse populations in Brazil and is known for its cosmopolitanism. It has the largest Japanese population outside of Japan, which is mostly concentrated in the Liberdade neighbourhood, as well as a strong Italian heritage, particularly in the neighbourhoods of Bixiga, Brás and Mooca.

São Paulo continues to champion immigration today and is at the forefront of a Brazilian initiative to welcome refugees, helping these individuals learn Portuguese and find work in the city. Studying in São Paolo is therefore a highly multicultural experience, where students will experience a wealth of cultures beyond just that of Brazil.

Eat well
It’s perhaps inevitable that such an ethnically diverse city would give rise to a rich street food culture. Street markets have continued to thrive even as supermarkets spread across Brazil. The Municipal Market, a historic building stretching more than 12,000 metres, is a popular food market selling a wide range of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish and spices.

Cheese-filled pastries, churrasco (Brazilian barbecue) and the city’s famous mortadella sandwich are among the local delights that can be found at one of these markets, but visitors are just as likely to come across Asian street food like imagawayaki, a sweet treat from Japan. São Paulo is home to an array of excellent restaurants, including DOM, currently the only restaurant in Brazil with two Michelin stars, as well as thousands of pizzerias and high-quality sushi restaurants, thanks to its diverse population.

Work hard, play hard
It should come as no surprise that São Paulo has the non-stop energy that is characteristic of a sprawling metropolis. The sheer size of the city can be daunting initially, but this is also a key aspect of the city’s appeal. Many Paulistanos work in high-flying roles within the city’s main industries, and so studying in São Paolo means being right in the heart of Brazil’s fast-growing economy.

In recent years, the influx of people and rising wealth has led to an increasingly vibrant nightlife scene. Every evening a vast number of bars and nightclubs open their doors, many of which remain open late into the night.

The city is a venue for a number of high-profile music festivals. This year’s Lollapalooza, which took place in April, boasted a lineup featuring the Arctic Monkeys, Lenny Kravitz and more. For a more traditional music experience, visitors can take a trip to the Municipal Theatre, which is home to a range of shows, from ballet to opera, while those looking for a hands-on experience can visit a local samba school and learn Brazil’s signature dance.

As a city that welcomes all visitors, São Paolo is an enthusiastic host of one of the world’s biggest Pride parades, which also featured in popular Netflix show Sense8.

For those drawn to urban jungles, there is no better place to study abroad, developing the skills needed for a successful career in business.