During our time in São Leopoldo, we visited Unisinos University, where we learned about their electrical engineering research and visited companies in partnership with the university. The professors at Unisinos were extremely kind and welcoming. I enjoyed visiting the campus and experiencing the cultural differences between college in the U.S. and Brazil. Outside of Unisinos, we visited a variety of companies such as Certaja Energia and CPFL. These tours taught us about the electrical grid and sustainability goals in Brazil, as well as how Brazil operates differently from the U.S. At the end of our stay, the professors at Unisinos cooked us a traditional Brazilian barbecue. The food was delicious, and I will always cherish the memories I made during our week in São Leopoldo.
Only thirty minutes away is the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre. During the weekend, we went on a cultural tour of the city with our amazing tour guide. During the tour, we saw beautiful churches, libraries, theaters, and markets. We also went to a soccer game where we experienced Brazilian sports culture. A highlight of the trip was trying traditional foods, drinks, and desserts. Overall, I had an amazing time and found the trip to be extremely rewarding.
Swanson School of Engineering 