student

Teague Emery '13

Douglassville, Pa. | Business administration

Plans after Susquehanna:

I will be joining JP Morgan Chase & Co. Investment Bank as an operations analyst.

Summer 2012 Internship Spotlight:

Opto Eletrônica in São Carlos, Brazil

What I learned:

By working for an international company, I gained exposure to managing an international business and its interconnection with different economies. It was fascinating to experience the company’s connection to and its development of business relationships with diverse suppliers, distributors and buyers across the globe. It was definitely exciting to experience international business concepts firsthand.

A typical day on the job:

Each day started with a 15-minute commute on the public bus from my “republica” [housing]. My main activities and responsibilities included assisting the export office with the issuance of required export documentation, transportation and shipping coordination, and communication with international clients. Throughout the day, I learned about different aspects of the Brazilian culture while learning some Portuguese from my co-workers. I also found myself assisting co-workers in speaking and writing English as well as providing some insight into U.S. business.

Biggest surprise: 

I was very surprised to experience how much government regulation and the tax structure influences importation of supplies. I have heard and read that Brazil had more restrictive custom policies than most countries, but was shocked to see the comparison side by side. It has definitely given me a better perspective on Brazilian business, an appreciation of the impact of its government regulations and a macroeconomic overview of its economy.

What I gained from my internship in Brazil:

I gained an understanding of international trading of finished goods, importation and exportation procedures, and the logistics of a high value manufacturing facility. I learned how to adapt to unfamiliar environments very quickly despite cultural and language differences. My experience provided insight into international business and the global production network. I am very appreciative of my housemates and co-workers for providing a great experience for me.