Harvard University
David Rockefeller Center
For Latin American Studies
Brazil Office
MENTORSHIP AND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION IN BRAZIL PROGRAM
MLAB’S RETROSPECTIVE 22
12 YEARS AT A GLANCE 24
SURVEY RESULTS 34
WORD CLOUD 36
TRAJECTORIES AND TESTIMONIALS 38
OUR PARTNERS 52
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 62
PHOTO GALLERY 64
APPENDIX
MLAB IN THE MEDIA 86
STAFF & PARTICIPANT DIRECTORY 88
12- YEAR REPORT
DRCLAS BRAZIL
The David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS) at Harvard University established the Brazil Studies Program (BSP) in Cambridge and the Brazil Office in São Paulo in 2006. The BSP and Brazil Office work in tandem to expand research, teaching and learning opportunities for Harvard faculty and students across the University, as well as to increase opportunities for Brazilians to study at Harvard and to strengthen ties between Harvard and Brazil.
STUDENT MENTORSHIP
Mentorship programs provide invaluable support and foster growth for both mentees and mentors. They connect students with mentors who offer tailored advice, empowering high school students to pursue their goals with determination. These programs are crucial for preparing students for higher education and beyond. College mentors also gain significantly, enhancing their communication and feedback skills. By engaging with mentees’ unique challenges and aspirations, mentors develop empathy and stronger interpersonal connections. Ultimately, mentorship prepares college students to become compassionate, effective leaders ready for future professional and personal success.
I’m a big supporter of mentorship programs. In my view, they help mentees open new doors and possibilities. At the same time, they give mentors some insights into their own strengths and areas for growth. I’m extremely proud of the MLAB which has brought over the past 12 years many Brazilians closer to Harvard and Harvard students closer to Brazil. It´s been a very rich language and cultural exchange. The Harvard Brazil Office leadership and coordination since the beginning was fundamental for the success of the program”
WOLFF KLABIN HARVARD DRCLAS BRAZIL OFFICE ADVISER
THE MENTORSHIP AND LANGUAGE IN BRAZIL PROGRAM – MLAB
In 2012, the DRCLAS Brazil Office launched the Mentorship and Language Acquisition in Brazil (MLAB) Program, to provide oneto-one mentorship from Harvard students to high-achieving, lowerincome Brazilian high school students. This initiative offers Harvard mentors a cultural and language immersion in Brazil while supporting Brazilian students’ university aspirations. MLAB combines personalized mentorship with engaging content curated by the Brazil Office staff, mentors, and local partners, fostering enriching experiences and shared learning. By pairing individuals based on their skills and goals, the program promotes mutual growth. Mentees gain knowledge and confidence, while mentors gain fresh perspectives and the fulfilment of contributing to other’s journeys.
TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT ON MENTEES: EMPOWERING HIGH-ACHIEVING, LOWERINCOME STUDENTS
The MLAB Program significantly benefits high-achieving, lower-income Brazilian high school students by building confidence, enhancing critical thinking, improving English language skills, and setting educational and personal goals. Among the 150+ mentee alumni, many have progressed to prestigious Brazilian universities, including the University of São Paulo (USP), the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), and the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA). Additionally, some mentees have gained admission to renowned institutions in the United States, like Harvard University, Brown University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This program serves as a transformative experience, showing students the breadth of possibilities available to them and helping to bridge the gap between their current circumstances and their future ambitions. By participating in MLAB, these students not only gain valuable skills and knowledge but also expand their horizons, opening doors to both domestic and international educational opportunities.
ENRICHING IMPACT ON HARVARD MENTORS: LEADERSHIP, CULTURAL IMMERSION, AND LASTING CONNECTIONS
The MLAB Program provides Harvard mentors with hands-on experience in mentorship, enhancing their leadership, empathy and communication skills. They improve their Portuguese language proficiency and gain a nuanced understanding of Brazilian culture. The program also serves as an entry point to Brazil for many Harvard students. Often, MLAB alumni return to Brazil for internships and fellowships fostering ongoing engagement with the country’s academic, cultural, and professional landscapes. This cultural immersion enriches mentors’ global perspectives and personal growth. Additionally, they expand their Harvard contacts through relationships with fellow mentors, leading to lasting collaborations and friendships. Mentors also build international connections with their Brazilian mentees, broadening their networking horizons. In summary, the MLAB program is a transformative experience that helps Harvard students develop as leaders, improve linguistic and cultural competencies, and establish meaningful international connections.
Connecting with MLAB students and sharing my own story was a deeply touching experience. It served as a powerful reminder of the inherent potential and resilience present in our youth. This interaction reinforced my belief in the extraordinary capabilities that lie within each young individual and highlighted the significant impact that guidance, support, and encouragement can have on their journeys.”
MARCIA CASTRO ANDELOT PROFESSOR OF DEMOGRAPHY AND CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL HEALTH AND POPULATION, HSPH; CHAIR OF DRCLAS BRAZIL STUDIES PROGRAM
ABOUT MLAB
Program Coordinator Camilla Roberts with the 2023-2024 mentee cohort
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
VIRTUAL MENTORSHIP
Virtual mentorship leverages digital platforms to facilitate mentoring relationships regardless of geographic distance. This form of mentorship typically employs video conferencing tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, along with instant messaging, email, and collaborative online workspaces. MLAB´s virtual mentorship sessions, which run from October to February, combine group interactions with personalized individual mentorship. This dual approach enables participants to benefit from the collective insights of group meetings while offering mentees support tailored to their unique needs and goals through one-on-one sessions.
INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS
Individual mentorship sessions are conducted online and are flexible in frequency, occurring either weekly or bimonthly based on the schedules and needs of each mentor-mentee pair. These sessions, planned by the mentors, focus on the mentee’s specific goals and aspirations. This personalized approach ensures that each mentee receives tailored guidance and support. To support effective mentorship, mentors receive monthly guidance from the program coordinator, which includes benchmarks and activity recommendations.
GROUP MEETINGS
In addition to one-on-one sessions, group meetings are held to foster a sense of community among participants. These gatherings include icebreakers, mentorship skill-building exercises, reflection and goal-setting sessions, fun game nights, and preparation for in-person immersion experiences. The activities and discussions are designed to facilitate sharing experiences, collaborative learning, and building a supportive network.
REGULAR CHECK-INS
Throughout the program, mentors and mentees have individual checkins with the program coordinator to ensure continuous support and effective progress. These meetings allow students to voice concerns, share suggestions, and discuss aspirations, addressing any issues promptly. Participants also have access to resources curated by the MLAB coordinator, including information on scholarships, educational opportunities, virtual session support materials, personal growth activities, and language-learning tools. By maintaining regular check-ins and providing these resources, the program ensures participants are well-supported, motivated, and equipped for success.
IMMERSION EXPERIENCE
In January, the Program culminates in a transformative two-week immersion experience in São Paulo, Brazil. During this period, students engage in hands-on activities and site visits that explore significant themes such as education, public health, technology, science, and social change. Alongside these explorations, mentors and mentees participate in dynamic and thoughtprovoking activities designed to be both entertaining and challenging, fostering teamwork, problem-solving skills, and cultural appreciation. This immersive experience builds lasting bonds and offers a memorable, impactful journey that is both educational and enjoyable.
STUDENT SELECTION AND PAIRING
MENTEE CRITERIA
The Brazil Office collaborates closely with partner high schools in Brazil to identify and select suitable students for the program. These schools pre-select candidates who meet MLAB’s criteria. Following this, the program coordinator conducts a structured application process with the preselected students. This assessment evaluates their aspirations, interests, and English proficiency to ensure a good match for the program. Typically, MLAB mentees are first or second-year high school students who receive needbased scholarships, exhibit aboveaverage academic performance, have conversational English skills, aspire to attend university, and are interested in learning about different cultures. By adopting a comprehensive selection process, the Program ensures that candidates are not only academically capable but also motivated and eager to expand their horizons.
MENTOR CRITERIA
The MLAB program invites Harvard students to serve as mentors offering a unique opportunity for meaningful mentorship and cultural immersion in Brazil. Aspiring mentors are required to submit their academic background, resumé, and responses to questions about their mentorship experience and motivations for joining the program. Typically, MLAB mentors are undergraduate or master’s level Harvard students with an interest in Brazil, often enrolled in Portuguese classes to deepen understanding. These mentors are committed to providing virtual mentorship to their Brazilian mentees over five months. Ideal candidates are academically strong, have mentorship or leadership experience, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to fostering a supportive environment. By selecting motivated and dedicated mentors, the program ensures mentees receive high-quality guidance and support, making the careful selection of mentors essential to the MLAB program’s success of the MLAB program.
MENTOR-MENTEE PAIRING
After selecting the participants, the program coordinator carefully pairs each mentee with a mentor. This pairing process considers several factors, including the mentee’s goals, interests, and language proficiency, as well as the mentor’s strengths, areas of expertise, and availability. The objective is to create matches that foster productive and supportive relationships, maximizing the potential for meaningful mentorship. By ensuring a thorough selection and pairing process, the program establishes a strong foundation for successful and impactful mentorship experiences.
MLAB CALENDAR
August:
• Outreach in Brazil
Early September:
• Outreach at Harvard
• Application Period
Mid-SeptemberEarly-October:
• Participant selection
• Program starts
Mid-October-December:
• Virtual mentorship
• Check-ins
January:
• Sao Paulo Immersion
February:
• Continued Virtual Mentorship
• Certificate Ceremony & Program Conclusion
FUNDAMENTAL PILLARS
MLAB 2015-2016 Immersion
MENTORSHIP AND COMMUNITY 1
At the core of MLAB is the pillar of mentorship and community, aimed at breaking down barriers and enhancing opportunities for highachieving, lower-income students. This pillar embraces a holistic approach to mentorship focused on personal transformation and mutual learning, creating a sense of community that extends beyond virtual interactions into real-world connections. The mentorship goes beyond academics to promote self-discovery, confidence-building, critical thinking development, communication skills, relationship building, self-awareness, time management, and stress coping skills. This comprehensive approach equips both mentees and mentors to tackle various challenges and seize new opportunities.
The program combines oneon-one mentorship with group engagements, encouraging participants to learn from both their mentors and peers, promoting collective growth. Interaction in varied settings provides diverse perspectives and collaborative experiences. The mutual growth of mentors and mentees highlights the transformative power of mentorship, fostering a ripple effect of empowerment. The mentorship and community pillar of MLAB builds a resilient network that supports personal and collective advancement, helping students achieve immediate goals and preparing them for future success, creating a legacy of empowerment and opportunity.
My MLAB experience has profoundly shaped my vision of mentorship by reinforcing the importance of reciprocal learning and growth. I have come to appreciate that it is not a one-way street; it is a dynamic exchange of knowledge, perspectives, and insights. My mentee challenged my assumptions, broadened my understanding of different cultures, and inspired me to continually grow as both an individual and a mentor. My experience with the MLAB program has left an indelible mark on my approach to mentorship, shaping me into a more compassionate, open-minded, and effective mentor for years to come.”
JOCELYN HERNANDEZ
MENTOR MLAB 2016-2017
MLAB has been one of the most transformative experiences by showing me how a mentorship is a learning experience going in two directions. My mentee’s curiosity led me to do personal research, develop myself and helped me become aware that this constant development needs to be part of any healthy relationship.”
LEONARDO PÁRRAGA
MENTOR MLAB 2017-2018
By working with my mentee and helping her navigate various challenges, I learned how to communicate more effectively and how to think creatively when faced with obstacles. These skills have proven invaluable in my personal and professional life, as I continue to tackle new challenges and pursue my goals. Overall, serving as a mentor taught me the importance of clear communication and creative problem-solving, which has had a positive impact on my personal and career endeavors.”
COMFORT ABUWA
MENTOR MLAB 2018-2019
CULTURAL AND LANGUAGE EXCHANGE 2
The cultural and language exchange pillar of MLAB fosters interconnectedness and mutual growth, emphasizing responsible engagement with Brazil. Participants benefit from structured language courses led by experienced professors, enhancing language proficiency and cultural understanding. A key feature is the immersive January experience in São Paulo, where Harvard students gain insights into Brazilian culture and Brazilian students are exposed to global perspectives, fostering a sense of global citizenship and cultural competence. This mutual exchange allows participants to share and rediscover their own cultures through other’s eyes.
The experience extends beyond the classroom through visits, conversations and workshops, instilling a lifelong appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives. It also forges enduring connections, motivating mentors and mentees to continue the cycle of learning and exchange. This pillar develops socially aware individuals equipped to navigate and contribute to the multicultural world, building a legacy of cultural appreciation and mutual respect.
Participating in MLAB helped me broaden my worldview by getting in touch with people from different nations and cultures. It was an experience I didn’t think I would have while still in high school. I am grateful for the bonds I formed and the knowledge I gained through the program.”
KATHERINE FIGUEIREDO PILEGGI
MENTEE MLAB 2020-2021
It not only helped me with my proficiency with the English language and understanding cultural differences between Brazil and USA, but also with my confidence in myself, my ability to interact with others and to share my ideas, which contributed greatly for my personal, academic, and professional growth.”
LETÍCIA GABRIELLY DOS SANTOS SILVA
MENTEE MLAB 2018-2019
Participating in MLAB inspired me to learn more about Brazil and engage with global health and social justice initiatives in my career. Specifically, hearing about my mentee’s struggles growing up in Brazil motivated me to play a larger role in ameliorating inequities in healthcare and education. At the same time, participating in the immersion deepened my appreciation for cultural humility and open-mindedness.”
JANNELY VILLARREAL
MENTOR MLAB 2019-2020
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS 3
The final pillar of MLAB exposes students to diverse academic and professional pathways, aligned with both mentors’ and mentees’ aspirations. The program connects students with leaders from various industries and initiatives in São Paulo, such as the Natura factory, the META office, the University of São Paulo main campus, and the G10 Favelas headquarters.
Through MLAB, mentees are introduced to mentors who often share similar academic and professional interests, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. The diverse mentor cohort, representing various educational backgrounds and industries, enables both mentees and mentors to explore new areas and envision potential academic and professional pursuits related to Latin America.
These experiences also encourage them to contemplate future engagement and opportunities within the region.
The relationships built in the program help mentees refine their academic goals and chart new trajectories, both in Brazil and globally. For those aspiring to study abroad, mentors provide invaluable insights and guidance. The program broadens perspectives and empowers participants to pursue their ambitions, envisioning limitless possibilities with the support of a dedicated network.
During MLAB, I learned about career paths that I didn’t realize existed or were even accessible to me. I also got a better understanding of myself, my goals, my values, and who I am. It improved my confidence in making important decisions that shaped my future.”
GIOVANNA VENDRAMINI
MENTEE MLAB 2013-2014
When I joined MLAB, pursuing higher education in the US felt like a distant and vague possibility. Bonding with the Harvard mentors helped me find commonalities with them – they were generous, down-to-earth, interesting, and came from all walks of life. I realized I could belong in a space like Harvard. My mentor, Matthew, offered me advice and feedback through my college applications, celebrated with me when I was approved at Dartmouth. I owe MLAB, and Matthew specifically, a great debt of gratitude for helping me get to where I am today.”
GUSTAVO ALMEIDA DA SILVA
MENTEE MLAB 2014-2015
MLAB expanded my passion for educational equity, for education as a means for social mobility, and for helping mitigate inequality in Latin America, which heavily shaped my extracurricular involvement and academic work throughout undergrad and my professional plans. MLAB also helped me develop my interpersonal skills and self-confidence as a leader.”
DANIELA BETANCOURT
MENTOR MLAB 2019-2020
MLAB 2019-2020 Immersion
BETWEEN 2012-2024, MLAB HAS WELCOMED 299 PARTICIPANTS 299
PARTICIPANTS
145 MENTORS
154 MENTEES * (Including cases where one mentor was paired with two mentees during the online programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
2 Online editions of MLAB during the COVID-19 pandemic
12 Editions of MLAB Local partners selecting and sponsoring mentees
16
Brazilian organizations and companies
FOR EXAMPLE:
MUSEU DA LÍNGUA PORTUGUESA, ESTAÇÃO DA LUZ, INSTITUTO BUTANTAN, UNIVERSIDADE MACKENZIE, FÁBRICA DO FUTURO – USP, MERCADO MUNICIPAL, TISSUELABS, FAROL SANTANDER, ESCOLA DE SAMBA VAI-VAI, FUNDAÇÃO
ESTUDAR, SOU DA PAZ, G10 FAVELAS, INSTITUTO FHC, FUNDAÇÃO MARIA CECILIA SOUTO VIDIGAL, GERANDO FALCÕES, MUSEU DO FUTEBOL, MEMORIAL DA RESISTÊNCIA, EDUCATION USA, MUSEU AFRO BRASIL, MASP, META, GEEKIE, INSTITUTO ALANA, ISMART, REDE NOSSA SÃO PAULO, SÃO MATEUS EM MOVIMENTO, INSTITUTO BACCARELLI
20 Home countries and territories among mentors
6 Harvard schools represented:
• HARVARD COLLEGE
• HARVARD KENNETH C. GRIFFIN GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
• HARVARD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
• HARVARD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF DESIGN
• HARVARD JOHN A. PAULSON SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES
• HARVARD T.H. CHAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
36
Different academic and professional concentrations among mentors
60
Mentors studying STEM subjects
22+ Languages spoken among participants
ENGLISH, SPANISH, PORTUGUESE, JAPANESE, IGBO, ARABIC, TAMIL, INDONESIAN, FRENCH, GERMAN, ITALIAN, GIKUYU, LUO, SWAHILI, CAPE VERDEAN CREOLE, MANDARIN CHINESE, LATIN, URDU, CATALAN, RUSSIAN, MARATHI
24+
U.S. home states among mentors
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BRAZIL OFFICE
The David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies establishes the Brazil Office in São Paulo, aiming to serve as a supportive base for Harvard community members with interests related to Brazil.
Aug. 2011 CONCEPTUALIZATION OF MLAB
MLAB is conceptualized to provide one-on-one mentorship from Harvard College students to high-achieving, lowerincome Brazilian high school students. Designed to benefit Brazilian students interested in studying abroad, the program also offers Harvard mentors an immersive cultural and language experience in Brazil. MLAB partners, such as Colégio Bandeirantes and Primeira Chance, play a crucial role in the program’s viability and implementation.
Jason Dyett on the creation of MLAB
Jan. 2012
INAUGURAL
MLAB PROGRAM
The first MLAB program takes place as a three-week immersion in São Paulo, involving 15 Harvard students and 15 Brazilian high schoolers. Activities focus on educational experiences and opportunities in the U.S. and Brazil, site visits, career conversations with Harvard affiliates in Brazil, and community building activities. Participants also engage in Portuguese and English courses run by Brazil Office staff.
2013-2014
IMPROVED
PROGRAM DESIGN
The second edition of MLAB is redesigned into a hybrid five-month program. It incorporates consistent online one-onone mentorship meetings between mentees and mentors, along with workshops for mentors. The immersion component continues to cover diverse career pathways, such as science and technology, leveraging Harvard and partner connections in Brazil.
2014-2017
EXPANSION AND INCREASED DIVERSITY
During this period, the MLAB program experiences significant growth in both application numbers and diversity of participants’ backgrounds. Additionally, language courses during the immersion are held by a Harvard Portuguese preceptor and a Brazilian English professor, enriching the bilingual learning experience. A two-day retreat at a farm in rural São Paulo is introduced, focusing on bonding and team building activities. This retreat becomes a significant highlight of each annual immersion experience.
2017-2020
BROADENING HORIZONS AND ENHANCED MENTOR INVOLVEMENT
The program begins to include a broader range of student interests when selecting activity themes, extending beyond just career pathways and study abroad opportunities to more holistic personal and professional development. In-depth discussions and group bonding activities are incorporated, providing richer, more engaging experiences for all participants. Mentors gain a more significant role in designing immersion activities, enhancing their leadership skills and enriching the program content. Additionally, the program opens its doors to graduate students, further diversifying the mentor pool.
Manuela Parisi Braga on MLAB
2020-2022
ADAPTING TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The 9th and 10th editions of MLAB are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring a shift to a completely online format. This adaptation includes more frequent group sessions and a week-long remote immersion. The online setting offers advantages such as engaging with speakers from different regions of the world and enabling the participation of Harvard students who cannot travel abroad. Despite the challenges, the virtual format maintains the program’s core values of mentorship, cultural exchange, and personal growth.
2022-2023
RETURNING TO IN-PERSON IMMERSIONS
In 2023, MLAB returns to its original format with an inperson January immersion, albeit with post-COVID-19 restrictions. Mentors are challenged to create and lead workshops on relevant topics of their choice, including narrative building, mental health and wellbeing, & food and cultural identity.
2023-onwards
LOOKING AHEAD
The program now enjoys a sustainable position with consistent support from Brazilian partner schools and ongoing interest from Harvard students. The commitment to fostering meaningful connections, expanding horizons, and providing rich educational experiences remains at the forefront of MLAB’s mission. Looking forward, the program is poised for continued success and impact over the next 12 years and beyond.
Camilla Roberts on MLAB
COMMENTS FROM THE TEAM
As the Executive Director of the Brazil Office, I am immensely proud of the MLAB program’s transformative impact on our participants. Over the past 12 years, MLAB has not only fostered academic and professional growth but also built lasting relationships and a deep appreciation for diverse cultures. Our commitment to mentorship and skill development has empowered countless mentees and mentors to reach their full potential and become global leaders. We look forward to continuing this journey of learning, exchange, and mutual growth.”
HELENA MONTEIRO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HARVARD BRAZIL OFFICE
Working with MLAB has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my career. This program ignited my passion for creating transformative experiences for students and pushed me to engage with each unique cohort, addressing their interests and goals. Managing various aspects of the program – such as outreach to local partner schools, curating cultural activities, supporting students, and handling administrative details – has helped me grow as a well-rounded professional. Witnessing the program’s impact and transformation on participants motivates me to continue evolving it and to share this successful model with other educators.”
CAMILLA ROBERTS
MLAB COORDINATOR (2019-PRESENT)
As a coordinator, I learned how to manage and design MLAB from the ground up. This experience allowed me to gain a much richer understanding of all the steps necessary to implement such an enriching, yet complex program. Knowing just how transformative MLAB is for both mentors and mentees was the driving force that pushed me to design the strongest program possible.”
TIAGO GENOVEZE
MLAB COORDINATOR (2017 – 2019)
It was a great and rewarding experience to lead the MLAB participants. This program was very energetic, multicultural and diverse. I still have contact with some of the students who were in the program and seeing how much they developed through the years is amazing. I am sure all of them will take this course in their lives and hearts. I wish more and more students have the chance to participate in such an amazing program.”
MARINA DE MOURA MLAB COORDINATOR (2012-2014)
[MLAB] was a wonderful leadership opportunity for me immediately after undergrad, and I made a lot of friends with whom I’ve kept in touch for this decade since. It was fun to help create something from scratch, and it’s amazing that the program has continued for so many years. I believe Jason Dyett and Marina de Moura had the initial idea, and I was happy to support however I could as a Fellow in the office. I knew from the start that the potential for inspiration would be enormous simply by bringing together incredible students with inspiring stories, and it turned out even better than I could have imagined.”
MATEO CORBY POSTGRADUATE FELLOW, HARVARD BRAZIL OFFICE (2011-2012)
MLAB literally changed my life. As a mentor, I had never had such a transformative experience of crosscultural immersion, mutual mentorship with mentees, and language learning. This program confirmed my commitment to pursuing a career in education, with a particular focus on Latin America & Brazil. I returned to São Paulo as a DRCLAS Public Policy Immersion Program intern with EducationUSA the following summer. With newfound insights on the challenges faced by Brazilian students dreaming of pursuing expansive learning opportunities, I opted to return as the Brazil Office Fellow. I wanted to not just revive MLAB, but help it evolve for longer-lasting impact.”
ISAMAR VEGA
POSTGRADUATE FELLOW, HARVARD BRAZIL OFFICE (2013-2014) & MLAB MENTOR (2011-2012)
SURVEY RESULTS
THE BRAZIL OFFICE CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF MLAB PARTICIPANTS AND RECEIVED 90 RESPONSES FROM FORMER STUDENTS AND 11 RESPONSES FROM PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS.
MENTEES
CURRENT LOCATION
MENTEES ANSWERED
EDUCATION
5 in the United States 2 in the United Kingdom 45 in Brazil
The majority of mentees pursued university careers in fields such as engineering, mathematics, and business. 11 mentees indicated that they went to study abroad: 9 in the United States.; 1 in Italy; 1 in Abu Dhabi. At the time of the survey, 15 respondents indicated that they were still in high school.
SKILL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PARTICIPATING IN MLAB
Survey respondents rated their improvements on a scale from 0 to 5 (0 = NOT AT ALL; 5 = EXTREMELY WELL): English Proficiency: 4.5 out of 5
Critical Thinking: 4 out of 5
Self-Confidence: 4.5 out of 5
LEARNINGS & BENEFITS THROUGH PARTICIPATING IN MLAB
Strengthened English language skills
Clarity on the study abroad process Long-Term Mentorship Relationships Increased selfconfidence
These responses highlight the comprehensive and multifaceted impact of the MLAB program on students, underscoring its effectiveness in fostering essential skills and personal development.
MLAB ALUMNI INTEREST are interested in contributing financially and/ or providing inkind donations
want to stay connected to the program in some way expressed interest in actively participating in MLAB activities
38 RESPONSES MENTORS
CURRENT LOCATION
33 in the United States
2 in Brazil 1 in Canada
1 in Mexico
1 in Colombia
LEARNINGS & SKILLS GAINED THROUGH PARTICIPATING IN MLAB
Ongoing engagement in mentorship roles
Meaningful relationships
Continued interest in and connection to Brazil and Latin America
Future careers connected to mentorship, education, and public service initiatives.
PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
Mentors rated their improvement in Portuguese language skills 4 out of 5 (0 = NOT AT ALL; 5 = EXTREMELY WELL).
These insights underscore the value of the MLAB program in enhancing mentors’ leadership and language skills, fostering meaningful relationships, and inspiring sustained interest in international cultural engagement.
MLAB ALUMNI WERE ASKED TO SUBMIT 1-3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT MLAB MEANS TO THEM...
After high school, I didn’t receive enough financial aid to study abroad, which was my main objective. However, I was accepted into UNICAMP, one of Brazil’s and Latin America’s top universities, where I currently study. In addition to receiving high-quality education, I’ve had the chance to fulfill my childhood dream of working on an automotive team and designing a high-performance race car. I’ve also met incredibly dedicated people who share this dream with me. MLAB significantly helped me improve my English skills – especially speaking – which have proven to be immensely valuable in my academic and professional careers. I am grateful to MLAB for enabling this development.”
GABRIEL MARQUES
OLIVEIRA
MLAB 2020-2021
Mechanical Engineering
UNICAMP ‘26
Colégio Ari de Sá Cavalcante
2020 – 2021
2018
2015
Moved from the countryside of Paraíba to Fortaleza
2015 – 2017
Received three silver medals in the Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad for Public Schools (OBMEP)
Entered Colégio Ari de Sá Cavalcante with a full scholarship through Primeira Chance
Participated in MLAB (fully online program due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
2021
Graduated from Colégio Ari de Sá Cavalcante and was admitted to top U.S. universities through mentorship from Prep Estudar Fora
2022
Accepted into UNICAMP. Began work as a Project Manager of the Formula Team, designing and manufacturing race cars for the annual Brazilian Formula Type Student Competition.
MLAB has had a very positive impact on my life. It allowed me to broaden my horizons and realize I could do much more than I had ever imagined. Meeting mentors who were also on a need-based scholarship has helped me believe more in myself.’’
CASSIA OLIVEIRA DE LIMA
MLAB 2012-2013 Petrochemicals & Sustainability Consultant Chemical Engineering USP ‘18 Colégio Bandeirantes
2017
2010
Joined ISMART (Instituto Social para Motivar, Apoiar e Reconhecer Talentos), studying at Colégio Bandeirantes
2012-2013 Participated in MLAB 2014 Began bachelor’s degree at USP
Joined the Biomolecular Engineering Laboratory at the NOVA University of Lisbon as an Undergraduate Researcher
2018
Received an honors certificate from CREA for academic performance; joined the Renewable Chemicals Business Development team, working to help the Chemical Industry transition to a netzero world
2021
After 5 years in a long-distance relationship, moved to the United Kingdom to join her husband and started her career transition there
Being an MLAB mentee was a watershed moment for my confidence and self-esteem. After the program, I felt confident to pursue other challenges and I realized that most of my problems with the English language were related to a lack of confidence. MLAB supplied me with what I needed to apply to universities abroad. Even though I was not able to enroll, the acceptance itself was a dream come true. I never thought that in my 20s I would be working for a global company, and now I am a LinkedIn employee. MLAB empowers its mentees, and this influence is evident in me even four years after the program. My mentor and I are still in touch through WhatsApp and sometimes we have a video call to catch up.”
GABRIELA FERREIRA DO NASCIMENTO
MLAB 2018-2019 Marketing
Universidade Anhembi Morumbi ´24 Colégio Rio Branco
2021 – 2022
2019 – 2020
2018 – 2019
Participated in MLAB
2019 Graduated from Colégio Rio Branco with honors
Admitted to prestigious U.S. universities
2020 Began studies at Universidade Anhembi Morumbi
Worked as a Growth Intern at Olga Ri, a food technology startup, primarily contributing marketing strategy and campaign management
2022 – 2023
Worked as an Enterprise Marketing Intern at LinkedIn, supporting marketing implementation activities in Latin America and growth markets in other regions
2023 –PRESENT
Interning as a webinar Producer for Latin America at Salesforce
I stay in touch with my mentor, and recently we went to Rio together. It was great! I also keep in touch with other mentors from the program. I’m very grateful for having participated in this initiative by Harvard University. I believe MLAB helped me exchange experiences with all the mentors, which made me feel more assured about the path I wanted to choose.”
PEDRO HENRIQUE DUARTE ALVES
MLAB 2019-2020
Performing Arts
Faculdade Belas Artes ‘25 Colégio São Luís
2020-2021
2016
Participated in Cinemagia, a documentary on movie rental shops in São Paulo, which inspired a pursuit of acting and independent films
2017
Admitted to Colégio São Luís on a full scholarship
2019-2020 Participated in MLAB
2022 Began studies at Faculdade Belas Artes
Engaged in two transformative projects: Missão Urbana, a volunteer program assisting homeless people at Arsenal da Esperança, and Conexões, a drama class fostering critical thinking skills. These experiences helped him step out of his comfort zone, develop a deeper selfunderstanding, connect with new people, and shape his future plans
MLAB helped me realize that studying in the United States was possible, and I gained the confidence to speak English though the program! A life changing opportunity.”
CAROLINA YUKA NAKADA
MLAB 2017-2018
Software Engineering
Intern, Eli Lilly & Co.
Mechanical Engineering & Computer Science
University of Pennsylvania ‘24 Colégio Bandeirantes
2002
Born in Komaki, Japan, where she lived for 10 years
2012
Moved to Santo André, Brazil.
Studied in public schools, participating in the Math Olympiad and robotics fairs, where she discovered her passion for robotics
2017
Received a full scholarship to study at Colégio Bandeirantes through Projeto Alcance
2017 – 2018 Participated in MLAB
2020
Accepted at UPenn with a full scholarship as a Penn World Scholar. Became involved in international first-generation and low-income student advocacy, focusing on enhancing educational accessibility and quality through technology and robotics
2022 Started a Masters in Robotics at UPenn (through an accelerated master’s program)
Before being an MLAB mentee, I had no idea I would ever meet someone who had even set foot in Harvard Yard, let alone 13 current students who were all interested in learning about my experiences. MLAB was such a turning point in my life and academic career because it was a brief, yet effective introduction to the place I had always dreamed of studying at: Harvard. MLAB also empowered me to be more active in advocating for my country’s problems. It gave me the connections and base knowledge to seek more understanding of pivotal issues that impact our society. Since being a mentee in 2018, I was ecstatic to be accepted as a mentor two years later, in my first year of college. This thirst for understanding Brazil’s problems, propelled by my participation in MLAB, has become more and more rooted in my college career.”
CAMILO RODRIGUES VASCONCELOS
MLAB 2017-2018 Mentee / MLAB 2019-2020 Mentor
Applied Mathematics, Harvard College ‘25 Colégio Ari de Sá Cavalcante
2021
2019-2020
2017-2018
Participated in MLAB as a mentee
2019 Admitted to Harvard College
Participated in MLAB as a mentor
Became CoPresident of the Harvard Undergraduate Brazilian Association and of the 2022 Brazil Conference at Harvard & MIT
2022
Interned as a BaaS Ops Summer Analyst at BTG Pactual
2023
Interned as a Corporate Desk Summer Analyst and Investment Banking Analyst at Banco Genial
My experience as an MLAB mentor significantly contributed to my interest in Brazil and was the catalyst for some lifelong friendships. The language skill development and cultural exposure I gained during the program laid a solid foundation for my educational and professional endeavors, shaping my career with a strong focus on all things related to Brazil. I’ve had the pleasure of maintaining contact with some of the mentors and mentees from my program over the years, reuniting with several of them at the Brazil Silicon Valley Conference this spring.”
ELIZABETH MORIN
MLAB 2015-2016
Director of International Relations, Instituto NAVE Harvard College ‘19
2016
Participated in MLAB
2016-2019
Established a Fund at BrazilFoundation, travelled around Brazil to select social projects for grants. Appointed to the foundation’s Global Advisory Council in 2017
2019
Joined the Emerging Markets Sales team at Bank of America in New York, primarily trading LatAm FX, rates, and credit products
2023 Joined Onwards Ventures, as a Partner, a product-led venture capital firm investing in LatAm
2023 - Present Joined Instituto NAVE-Sitiê, to work with social impact, the environment and urban development.
I was first introduced to Brazil and the Portuguese language as a junior in undergrad. My first visit to Brazil, through MLAB, was sponsored by DRCLAS, which was also the first time I learned about the Lemann Foundation. After graduating, I had the opportunity to join the Lemann Foundation team as a Trainee, experiencing working with Lemann Fellows and universities, which transformed my life. I built a deep connection with the language, culture, and people – many of which I keep in touch with today. I was inspired by the team to always think big and had the opportunity to work on critical investments with Fundo Baoba, the first and only fund dedicated exclusively to the promotion of racial equity for the black population in Brazil, and helped launch Alcance, a program to help black and indigenous Brazilians study abroad.”
NEIMY ESCOBAR
MLAB 2013-2014
Finance Manager at Amazon
Web Services (AWS)
Harvard College ‘15
2013-2014
Participated in MLAB
2015
Graduated from Harvard College with a degree in Comparative Study of Religion
2016-2020
Started as a Project Coordinator at the Lemann Foundation, focusing on University Partnerships and Investments
2022
Graduated from Columbia University with an MBA, specializing in Investment Strategy and Impact Investing
2022 - Present Started as a Product & Finance Manager at AWS, focusing on automation, strategic initiatives, and infrastructure investments
MLAB acted as my first introduction to Brazil, it gave me exposure to the language and culture that would spark my continued interest in Brazil. This led to study abroad opportunities, internships, fellowships, a master’s degree in international studies, and ultimately, a full-time role where I work at the nexus of US-Brazilian business. Most importantly, MLAB provided priceless memories and relationships that will last a lifetime – I have seen previous mentees in São Paulo and recently at the Brazil at Silicon Valley Conference in San Francisco.”
IKE OKONKWO
MLAB 2015-2016
Senior Growth Manager at Andes STR / Proptech Harvard College ‘17
2014-2015
Participated in MLAB
2017
Graduated from Harvard College with a bachelor’s degree in Neurobiology, a secondary in Economics, and a language citation in Portuguese
2017 Participated in DRCLAS’s Brazil Summer Internship Program and interned at Vitalk (acquired by Gympass), based in Sao Paulo
2018-2019
Began the Harvard Business School Global Research Fellowship in São Paulo
2019-2020
Received the Gardner Postgraduate Travel Fellowship and spent the year in Colombia
2022
Received an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Wharton and a master’s in International Studies from UPenn
2023Present Joined Andes STR to launch the first international fund ($30M) to invest in U.S. shortterm rentals; based in Chile and currently expanding to Brazil
My life trajectory is a direct result of my acceptance to be an MLAB mentor in 2019. It was important to me to make sure mentees could learn from my experiences, hopefully helping them have an easier time setting and reaching goals as trailblazers in their communities. It was doubly important to me that I made sure they knew I was learning just as much from them. MLAB opened my eyes to student experiences in Brazil, helped me build close friendships, and established a deep need for me to continue my work in education, helping expand opportunities to underrepresented students.”
DANIELA BETANCOURT
MLAB 2019-2020 Strategist, Crimson Education Harvard College ‘22
2018 Accepted to Harvard College. First-generation, low-income, and college student. Started involvement in non-profit, mentorship, and higher education initiatives across the university
2019-2020 Participated in MLAB. Built relationships with the coolest mentee and overall group of Brazilian high schoolers and Harvard undergrads
2020 Interned virtually at Cidadão Pró-Mundo, in Sao Paulo, through SIP Brazil
2022 Graduated from Harvard College in Sociology, with a Portuguese language citation and Certificate in Latin American studies
2022 – 2023 Brazil Office Fellowship. Helped coordinate Harvard projects in and relating to Brazil, primarily MLAB. Helped produce MLAB report
2023 - Present Works in Sao Paulo for Crimson Education, a college admissions consultancy agency, with students from Latin America. Provides holistic and personalized mentorship during the US college admissions process, while building understanding on school experiences in different countries
I loved MLAB. It exposed me to Brazil and helped me form a beautiful friendship. I ended up returning to Brazil to study abroad and studied Portuguese all throughout college. This experience taught me that mentorship can look and feel like a friendship because both parties have so much to offer, and I am still in touch with my mentee Camila.”
MENTOR
JAZLY LIRIANO
MLAB 2013-2014
Associate Attorney, Cuti Hecker Wang LLP
Harvard College ‘16 Columbia Law School, J.D. ‘22
2013
Worked as a senior counselor at BRYE, a summer camp for immigrant and refugee youth through the Phillips Brooks House Association. She met Cape Verdean campers she could not communicate with, so she enrolled in Portuguese classes at Harvard the next semester
2013-2014 Participated in MLAB
2014 Directed BRYE
summer camp
2015 Studied abroad in Salvador, Bahia and was immersed in Afro-Brazilian culture
2016 Graduated from Harvard College in Human Evolutionary Biology with a language citation in Portuguese
2022 Graduated from Columbia Law School
I first became an MLAB mentor in my first year of college. Being an MLAB mentor significantly nourished my passion for mentorship and education. The skills and new perspectives that I gained during MLAB helped me feel more confident as an educator and helped guide me onto that career path. Additionally, MLAB became such a beautiful community for me at the beginning of my college journey, and being around other mentors who were invested in education and service was an incredibly affirming and inspiring experience. I left the program with meaningful friendships that kept growing throughout college and beyond. Additionally, participating in MLAB motivated me to continue learning Portuguese in college, which led me to graduate with a certificate in Portuguese. MLAB also connected me with other DRCLAS programs, which were hands down some of the most impactful parts of my college career, as I had the chance to travel to Chile, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.”
2021
DANI PEREZ
MLAB 2017-2018 & 2020-2021
Assistant Director, Gender & Sexuality Center, Carleton College Harvard College ‘21 Harvard Graduate School of Education ‘22
2017
Participated in MLAB for the first time
2019-20
Served as the Co-Chair of FYRE, Harvard College’s orientation program for first generation, low-income, and underrepresented students
2021
Participated in MLAB for the second time (fully online program due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
Began teacher training at Harvard Teacher Fellows Program (now the Teaching and Teacher Leadership Program) at the Harvard Graduate School of Education
2021-22
Taught 7th grade English and Spanish Language Arts in Chelsea, MA while pursuing a master’s degree in education
2022
Moved back home to Minnesota, not yet knowing their next steps. Shifted to the higher education field to try something new
MLAB was an extremely rewarding experience, and it had a significant impact on my personal development. Based on my experience in MLAB, I decided to return to Brazil after graduation for a fellowship. During my fellowship in Brazil, I worked with Tiago to help organize the 2018-19 program. I was motivated by a desire to connect further with students from Brazil, to improve my Portuguese language skills, and to help ensure that the students in the program could have as good of an experience as I had during the program. MLAB helped me begin to see myself as someone who could be a mentor to others. In my current job, I’ve become a mentor to many of my younger colleagues, and I feel more comfortable building those relationships thanks to my time in MLAB.”
ANDY WILCOX
MLAB 2017-2018
Associate Manager, Strategy & Operations, Doordash Inc. Harvard College ‘18
2017-2018
Participated in MLAB
2018 Graduated from Harvard with a degree in English Language and Literature
2018 – 2019
Completed a 6-month Post-graduate Fellowship at DRCLAS’s Regional Office in São Paulo
2019 – 2021
Worked as a Growth Manager at Bite, a small startup company in NYC
2021 - Present Working in Strategy & Operations at DoorDash in NYC
articipating in MLAB inspired me to learn more about Brazil and engage with global health and social justice initiatives in my career. Specifically, hearing about my mentee’s struggles growing up in Brazil motivated me to play a larger role in ameliorating inequities in healthcare and education. At the same time, participating in the immersion deepened my appreciation for cultural humility and open-mindedness. The winter immersion played a pivotal role in my decision to pursue a gap year abroad and learn more about Brazil’s complex political, educational, and socioeconomic landscape.”
MENTOR
2019-2020
2017
Participated in the Harvard International Summer Undergraduate Research in Global Health (ISURGH) Fellowship, focused on conducting summer research with vaccine technology researchers at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Participated in MLAB
JANNELY VILLARREAL
MLAB 2019-2020
Stanford School of Medicine ‘27 Harvard College ‘20 School of Public Health, University of Michigan ‘23
2020-2021
Received the DRCLAS Brazil Office Fellowship, worked coordinating a COVID-19 study on maternal mental health, organizing student mentorship programs, and liaising with a Brazilian academic journal
2021-2023
Received a master’s in public health in Population and Health Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health with a focus on Health Management and Policy and Applied Epidemiology. Began clinical research in administration of assessments to pregnant people, serving as a resource to Spanish-speaking study participants, and connecting high-need patients with community health workers and hospital resources
2023-2027
Medical student at Stanford School of Medicine, participating in a Leadership in Health Disparities Program with a focus on Obstetrics and Gynecology research
OUR PARTNERS
Colégio Bandeirantes
Colégio Ari de Sá (+ Primeira Chance)
Primeira Chance
Colégio Etapa
Instituto Queiroz Jereissati
Colégio Embraer Juarez
Wanderley
Education USA
Instituto Ling
Colégio Anhembi Morumbi
Colégio Anchieta
Colégio Rio Branco
Colégio São Luís
Colégio Sigma
Colégio Dante Alighieri
Colégios Marista
St. Paul’s School
COLÉGIO BANDEIRANTES
Partner since 2012
HELENA DE SALLES AGUILAR Head of Planning and Integration
The impact of the partnership between Colegio Bandeirantes and the Harvard Brazil Office, through MLAB, is hard to measure. At the partnership start, some students might even have thought the program would be limited to learning English with native students. But, over the last ten years, the students who participated in MLAB have had their lives impacted
in countless ways: for some, it was the beginning of their journey thinking about going to college outside of Brazil, for others, great friendships were born between mentor and mentee, but above all, it demystified the stereotype of students considered ‘high achievers’. I think MLAB’s big lesson is to show that, with effort and dedication, it is possible to achieve any goal!”
DEBORAH MASON PONTUAL Head of International Affairs & College Counseling
Students develop confidence and vastly improve English speaking abilities. Moreover, having a partnership with the Harvard Brazil Office has been a tremendous asset to our institution. MLAB has been an amazing journey. To watch students enhance their use of the English language while also building up their confidence and self-esteem has been incredible. It is a transformative experience that can have lifelong impacts on its participants. Students learn much more than English language. Their language acquisition is tremendous, but even more inspiring is their improvement in confidence, self-esteem and a notable reduction in their anxieties and insecurities related to speaking a foreign language. MLAB has added tremendous value to Bandeirantes and its students.
As one of the oldest partner schools with the program, we have been mesmerized to watch the journey of MLAB participants not only while at our school, but beyond. Several chose to apply to US universities after participating in MLAB and have adapted well to life in a foreign culture. MLAB allows our students to think and dream beyond their current ambitions. MLAB improves confidence and makes students believe they can successfully adapt to a life abroad. Several use their enhanced English language skills to apply to universities abroad and the impacts are felt not only while at our school, but whilst at college and even after when they begin their professional lives. Their ability to use English as well as their cultural awareness is remarkable.”
COLÉGIO
RIO BRANCO
Partner since 2018
ESTHER CARVALHO Head Principal
We have been working with MLAB since 2018 to offer opportunities to young people who are from underprivileged social and economic backgrounds to live an experience with people from different parts of the world who overcome their challenges and achieve their dreams.
[Students practice] the idea of resilience, of building life projects and looking for paths to achieve dreams, [which] are very valuable points for our school. Another important point is leadership, which comes from role models that inspire people to find their passion and their paths to give the best of themselves. It has been a very rich partnership for Colégio Rio Branco not only
owing to the contact we have with the staff from the office in São Paulo as well as with the mentors who come to Brazil and are part of the experience with our students, but also because of the perspective that this project opens and how much it connects to our own beliefs, values and aim to form world citizens. At MLAB, people from different contexts get together to plan and act together. It is a project that impacts society, and this fact dialogues deeply with the values of Colégio Rio Branco. We want to contribute to the formation of people who are critical, aware and who make a difference in our society. MLAB is an example of our contribution.”
RENATA CONDI Coordinator and Head of International Education, Additional Languages and International Studies
It is truly impressive to see how much such a short program positively contributes to the development of all participants. There is a clear gain [for students] in terms of language development, but from my experience I feel that all other types of learning that take place owing to the interaction with someone from a culturally different background is what strikes me the most. Students learn to respect others, to actively listen to younger or older people, to find ways to communicate when their message is not clear, to look for similarities to prove that they are part of a community.
Having MLAB offered to students from Colégio Rio Branco is a true benefit for all students who excel at many fields of knowledge and
perform very well at school but who would not have such a chance otherwise. Thus, it helps us try to deliver quality education and quality educational opportunities to all.
Having Harvard University and David Rockefeller Center of Latin American Studies [connected] to our students and to our school also makes us proud.
I have noticed that participating in MLAB has helped students have more purpose in their lives after school and be more confident in themselves and in how far they can go, how much they can accomplish. After having contact with Harvard students who have conquered so much, they seem to be more conscientious and to become better at planning for the long haul.”
COLÉGIO SÃO LUÍS
Partner since 2019
JOÃO RODRIGO LIMA AGILDO Head of International Department
I have had the privilege of spearheading the MLAB initiative at Colégio São Luís since its introduction to our school in 2019. This journey has proven to be one of the most gratifying and intellectually fulfilling endeavors I’ve encountered throughout my career as an educator. The experience bears a pronounced impact on students’ lives, enhancing their English proficiency while facilitating a deep cultural awareness. A considerable number of Harvard students hail from diverse nations, extending beyond the borders of the United States. As such, this cultural exchange holds tremendous richness for all involved. Furthermore, mentoring cultivates a surge in self-assurance, self-esteem, and self-belief.
It is an encounter that significantly broadens horizons A mentoring and language acquisition program within a Jesuit school setting brings forth a unique and holistic approach to education, aligning with the principles and values of Jesuit pedagogy. Such a program not only enhances language skills but also embodies the Ignatian ideals of cura personalis (care for the whole person) and magis (the pursuit of excellence), by forming Global Citizens; Encouraging Ignatian reflection & discernment; Building community; having lasting impact on participants education and careers; and stimulating a lifelong learning mindset.”
MLAB 2023-2024 mentor cohort
WE WANT TO EXPRESS OUR HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED CREATE, MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP THIS BEAUTIFUL PROGRAM THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY
We would like to extend our appreciation to the Portuguese Language Program of the Romance Languages and Literatures Department at Harvard University. This program would not exist without your active and indirect support. From helping spread the word, sending preceptors to teach mentors during the immersion, connecting Harvard students to the Portuguese language, stimulating and challenging them to pursue foreign experiences, to helping them fall in love with Brazil ‒ your contributions have been invaluable.
BRAZILIAN PARTNER SCHOOLS
Our main pillar of support for this program are the Brazilian Parnet Schools and Institutes and their remarkable coordinators. We would like to express our deepest gratitude for making this program possible in so many ways: selecting impressive students to be our mentees, accompanying their journey throughout each program, financially supporting their participation, liaising with us on any issues that arise, and, most importantly, preparing, challenging and helping your students to grow into thoughtful well-rounded citizens. Thank you for making this program possible, and for continually helping us improve it over the years. Special thanks to: Colégio Bandeirantes, Colégio Rio Branco, Colégio São Luís, Colégio Ari de Sá, Marista Brasil, St. Paul’s School, Instituto Queiroz Jereissati, Colégio Embraer, Education USA, Instituto Ling, Primeira Chance, Colégio Etapa, Colégio Anhembi Morumbi, Colégio Anchieta, Colégio Sigma, and Colégio Dante Alighieri!
PROGRAM SUPPORTERS AND BRAZILIAN ORGANIZATIONS
We also thank our Program Supporters, all the Brazilian Organizations who have received our students during 12 years of experiences. We are grateful to the many outstanding individuals who shared their knowledge and time with our groups, helping them learn about different initiatives, research, and projects happening around them. Your openness to engage with our groups has broadened our students’ horizons, inspired new paths and possibilities, discovered new passions, and encouraged them to pursue ever greater dreams.
DRCLAS BRAZIL OFFICE STAFF AND LEADERSHIP
We extend our gratitude to all DRCLAS Brazil Office staff, past and present, engaged in creating, coordinating, supporting, and leading the MLAB program. Your dedication, ingenuity, and hard work have provided a strong foundation and a continuous source of inspiration. We also thank the Brazil Office Advisory Group for their ongoing support and contributions. Finally, a special recognition to the MLAB Program Coordinator, Camilla Roberts, and Brazil Office Fellow, Daniela Betancourt, for their pivotal role in preparing this report.
MLAB 2012
MLAB 2013-14
MLAB 2015-16
MLAB 2016-17
MLAB 2017-18
MLAB 2018-19
MLAB 2019-20
MLAB 2022-23
MLAB 2023-24
MLAB IN THE MEDIA
Harvard Gazette Article about MLAB x Camilo:
Article about Bandeirantes participation:
Videos by São Luis students
Video & Article about Rio Branco students
OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
2015, Mentor Neimy Escobar:
2014 – 2015, MLAB:
DRCLAS REVISTA Student Views
2019 Article on MLAB:
2021 Article on MLAB:
Article on Marista participation:
Article on St Pauls participation:
USP – Fabrica do Futuro visit:
2023 Article on MLAB:
2023 Article on Harvard Students coming to Brazil:
STAFF & PARTICIPANT DIRECTORY
STAFF DIRECTORY Program
coordinators
• Camilla Roberts (2019-PRESENT)
• Tiago Genoveze (2017-2019)
• Manuela Parisi Braga (2014-2017)
• Marina de Moura (2011-2014)
Brazil office fellows & assistants
• Larissa Leal, Program Assistant
• Gabriella Gordon (Harvard College’23)
• Daniela Betancourt (Harvard College’22)
• Janelly Villarreal (Harvard College’20)
• Isamar Vega (Harvard College’13).
• Mateo Corby (Harvard College’11)
• Adam Singerman (Harvard College’09)
2012-2013
Mentors
• Adeola Salau
• Arian Razzaghi
• Isamar Vega
• Juan Sebastian Garcia
• Ryan Mahoney
• Stephanie Grayson
• Stephanie Salcedo
• Enzo Vasquez Toral
• Kuriakin Zeng
• John Kimani
• Iris Lopez
• Natalia Duarte
• Alexander Diaz
• Francesca Smith
• Jesse Sanchez
Mentees
COLÉGIO BANDEIRANTES:
• Bárbara Correia Faustino
• Cássia Oliveira de Lima
• Ligia Cavalcante Delgado
• Matheus Kallio Pereira
• Rodrigo Honorio de Lima
• Victor Alexandre de Paula
• Victor Domene Ribeiro
COLÉGIO EMBRAER JUAREZ WANDERLEY (SJC):
• Gustavo de Oliveira Santos
• Nicolas Assaf
EDUCATIONUSA-BH:
• Luiza Maria Dias
EDUCATIONUSA-RJ:
• Isabela Aquino
INSTITUTO LING (RS):
• Richelli dos Santos Afonso
INSTITUTO QUEIROZ JEREISSATI (FORTALEZA):
• Caio César Vieira Lopes
• Heloísa Raposo
• Lucinara Kecia Fernandes
2013-2014
Mentors
• Amanda Rodrigues
• Andrew Vincent
• Arturo Nava
• Brenda Serpas
• Carlos Rivera
• David Coletti
• Ezekiel Adigun
• Gabriela Weldon
• Giovanna Robledo
• Jazly Liriano
• Karla Mendoza
• Lenica Morales-Valenzuela
• Michael Gellman
• Rainjade Chung
• Tiffany Fonseca
Mentees
COLÉGIO BANDEIRANTES:
• Gabriel Lucca S. Gimenes
• Giovanna Vendramini
• Guilherme Quadros Calazans
• Joany D’avila de Oliveira Silva
• Luciano de F. González
• Marciel Silva de Almeida
• Marco Antonio L. Caribé Filho
• Victor Claro De Simone
• Walquiria van Buggenhout
COLÉGIO ETAPA:
• Amanda Vidotto Cerqueira
• Beatriz Silveira de Arruda
• Camila Marques de Oliveira
• Juliana Rubinatto Serrano
• Kevin Eiji Iwashita
PRIMEIRA CHANCE:
• Rodrigo Silva Ferreira
2014-2015
Mentors
• Alexandra N. Cunningham
• Ariel Smolik-Valles
• Caleb Lewis
• Chelsea Cherenfant
• Claudia Martinez
• Francesca Simoni
• Ivan Daniel Mayor
• Jasmine Fernandez
• Kenard Dillon
• Matthew Disler
• Neimy Escobar
• Rony Cepeda
• Sergio Martinez
• Steven Esteves Wessman
• Zachary Emanuel Brazão
Mentees
COLÉGIO ARI DE SÁ:
• Artur Queiros Azevedoz
• Jose W. N. Damasceno Filho
• Letícia Pereira De Souza
• Paulo Ricardo S. F. de Castro
COLÉGIO BANDEIRANTES:
• Arthur Yamazaki Gomes
• Beatriz Tucci Schiewaldt
• Carolina Emy Ono Leal
• Cassio Tales C. Caetano
• Gustavo de Almeida Silva
• Cindy Lie Tabuse
• Isabelle Caroline Stapf
• Leonardo Cesar H. Mellado
• Mariana Yumi da Cruz
• Matheus Lucena de Macedo
• Raquel Viana Gomes do Vale
2015-2016
Mentors
• Alberto Julian Corona
• Anam Javed
• Andrea Cooper
• David Larkin
• Elizabeth Morin
• Hamna Nazir
• Ike Okonkwo
• Jeff Cott
• Jessica Tueller
• Julio Cesar Mendez Cabrera
• Lauren Nicholson
• Yesenia Jimenez
Mentees
COLÉGIO ARI DE SÁ:
• Bruno Brasil Meinhart
• Paloma Silva Maranhão
COLÉGIO BANDEIRANTES:
• Ana Beatriz Andrade Barros
• Bárbara Vilella Nakamuta
• Beatriz Gonçalves Cordeiro
• Diego Zancaneli
• Isabella Rodrigues Paulino
• Marina C. Sanches Nabarrete
• Paulo Henrique Araujo Lima
• Pietro de Camargo Palma
• Victor Huggo B. Gardino
• Yasmin Vieira Leme
2016-2017
Mentors
• Danica Gutierrez
• Devontae Freeland
• Felix Ruano
• Jocelyn Hernandez Vazquez
• José Avonce
• Karen Malacón
• Magaly Gutierrez
• Mary Brown
• MaryTheresa C. Ochi
• Melia Henderson
• Nicholas Wood
• Yanet D. Gomez
Mentees
COLÉGIO ANCHIETA:
• Carolina Fonseca Pavan
COLÉGIO ANHEMBI MORUMBI:
• Amanda F. Lagos Ferreira
COLÉGIO BANDEIRANTES:
• Ana Luiza C. T. de Souza
• Beatriz C. de Marchi
• Bruno M. de Oliveira Teixeira
• Gabrielli Fonseca de Oliveira
• João Vitor Dias dos Santos
• Laís Gonzales da Silva
• Laura Sabrinny de Sá Pereira
• Lilian Carneiro Pereira
• Matheus de Souza Barros
• Milton Mendes Santos Rocha
2017-2018
Mentors
• Aileen Daphne Villalpando
• Ana Lucia Suazo Rivera
• Andrew John Wilcox
• Camilo Jose C. Sanchez
• Dani Pérez
• Karely Osorio
• Leonardo Párraga
• Lucas Mitchell
• Maria Jose Perez Franco
• Reeda Iqbal
• Samantha Leigh Payne
• Smit Chitre
• Tessa Angelique Wood
Mentees
COLÉGIO ARI DE SÁ:
• Frédison S. da Silva Júnior
• Camilo R. Vasconcelos
• Orisvaldo Salviano Neto
COLÉGIO BANDEIRANTES:
• Lucas Rodrigues Barros
• Rafael Rocha Rodrigues
• Felipe Pereira do Nascimento
• Carolina Yuka Nakada
• Marina das Neves Silva
• Gabrielle Silva Damiano
• Melissa Sayori M. Yasunaka
• Victor Venancio dos Santos
• Giovani Carvalho Costa
• Murilo Marinho Mascarenhas
2018-2019
Mentors
• Aileen Navarrete
• Alejandra Iglesias
• Allegra Fletcher
• Andrea Bossi
• Comfort Abuwa
• Debi Gonzalez
• Dianelis Lopez
• Diego Arias
• Jayson Toweh
• Josh Mathews
• Manuela Arroyave
• Patricia Fuentes
• Saul Levin
• Yasenimary V. Carrasquillo
Mentees
COLÉGIO BANDEIRANTES:
• Bruna Araujo Pereira
• Camilly Lopes Soares
• João Lucas dos Anjos
• Laura Aluotto de Oliveira
• Leandro dos Santos L. Silva
• Lucas Baso Lestido
• Mary Ann Roizman
• Thalita Ferraz dos Santos
• Thiago Teixeira Dos Santos
COLÉGIO DANTE ALIGHIERI:
• Leonardo Alves Miguel
COLÉGIO RIO BRANCO:
• Gabriela F. do Nascimento
• Letícia G. dos Santos Silva
SIGMA:
• Bruna da Silva Pereira
• Mirian Raquel Castro Ferreira
2019-2020
Mentors
• Camila Jimenez Isla
• Camilo R. Vasconcelos
• Camryn Chanelle Turner
• Daniela Betancourt
• Gabriel Wadford
• Hossameldin M. N. Mabed
• Isaac Litman Gotlieb
• Jannely Villarreal
• Mayerly Mandela Smith
• Naphtal Obilo Haya
• Sarai Paola Perez Camacho
Mentees
COLÉGIO ARI DE SÁ:
• Wanderson Faustino Patricio
COLÉGIO BANDEIRANTES:
• Amanda de Souza Gimenes
• Fernanda Chaves Oliveira
• Henrique dos Santos Moura
• Isadora S. P. Asiakevicius
• Jennifer Matos Freire
• João M. de Souza Godinho
COLÉGIO RIO BRANCO:
• Ana Paula Sanchez Ambrosio
• Beatriz Baptistão de Freitas
COLÉGIO SÃO LUÍS:
• Pedro Henrique Duarte Alves
• Pedro Lucca C. Lamark
2020-2021 (online)
Mentors
• Alejandra Nava Garcia
• Dani Pérez
• Dianelis Lopez
• Emily Alejandra Romero
• Juan Carlos Venancio
• Philip Alves Brinn
• Reeda Iqbal
• Yasenimary V. Carrasquillo
• Yemile Z. Bazaldua Flores
Mentees
COLÉGIO ARI DE SÁ CAVALCANTE:
• Davi Maciel Dias
• Gabriel Marques Oliveira
COLÉGIO BANDEIRANTES:
• Ana Julia Pinheiro Macedo
• Bianca Ferreira Martins
• Fernando Machado Santos
• Humberto Isamu Fukuhara
• Kaique Francisco Belo
COLÉGIO RIO BRANCO:
• Kauan Silva Gomes Lima
• Kauê Silva Gomes Lima
• Maria C. de Araujo Ribeiro
• Vinícius Panizza Berzin
COLÉGIO SÃO LUÍS:
• Jhenifer Hallen B. Mauricio
• Katherine Chaves Martins
• Katherine Figueiredo Pileggi
2021-2022 (online)
Mentors
• Charles Tyler Morris
• Daniela Jaelene Castro
• George Alexander Arenas
• Isaac Ochoa
• Juan Carlos Venancio
• Monica Hinojosa Diaz
• Noelle Victoria Castro
• Philip Alves Brinn
• Sofia Diaz-Rodriguez
Mentees
COLÉGIO ARI DE SÁ:
• Everton Oliveira
• Luiz Felipe Salviano Cruz
COLÉGIO BANDEIRANTES:
• Guilherme Soares
• Julia Prado Martins Silva
• Kesney Ferro de Oliveira
• Maria Brandão
• Mariana Muniz de Oliveira
COLÉGIO RIO BRANCO:
• Amanda Santiago
• Maria Luísa Marques Silva
• Sophia Medeiros
• Sophia Munis da Silva
COLÉGIO SÃO LUÍS:
• Patrick Assis Dos Santos Silva
• Theresa Oluwatosin Awoyele
• Mariana Ribeiro Etore
• Yasmim Passos
COLÉGIO SÃO LUÍS:
• Javier Joaquin E. Cueva
• Matheus B. G. Martinez
2022-2023
Mentors
• Andrea (Anie) Udosen
• Dariana Gonzalez-Aguilar
• Elizabeth Vasconcellos e Silva
• Gabriella Sedaka Gordon
• Ian Michael Espy
• Kimberly Llajaruna Peralta
• Nithyani Karthiga Ananda
• Sofia Diaz-Rodriguez
• Xander Draven Patton
Mentees
COLÉGIO BANDEIRANTES:
• Antonio Gonzaga
• Carine Rodrigues
• Gabriel Almeida
• P.H. Mendes
COLÉGIO RIO BRANCO:
• Flávio Haruo Taguchi
2023-2024
Mentors
• Alejandra Beltran
• Amber Nolazco-Torres
• David Dias
• Juan Carlos Venancio
• Leslie Ponce-Diaz
• Luis Jimenez-Ramirez
• Luis Luna
• Manuela Peñéñory
• Rachel Daniels
• Sofia Santos de Oliveira
• Sophia Rey
Mentees
COLÉGIO BANDEIRANTES:
• Edmundo Luna Arandas
• Leandra Souza
• Nicolle Silva
MARISTA BRASIL:
• Gabriel Santos
• Karina Silva
COLÉGIO RIO BRANCO:
• Ingrid Sousa
• Matheus C. M. Rodrigues
COLÉGIO SÃO LUÍS:
• Amanda Silva
• Luis Felipe L. de Souza
ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL
• Analú Ribeiro
• Leticia Reis
MLAB 2023-2024 Immersion
12 YEARS OF THE MENTORSHIP AND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION IN BRAZIL PROGRAM
Harvard University
David Rockefeller Center
For Latin American Studies
Brazil Office