RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The LAIOB Experience, part of the LAIOB Group (Latin America Institute of Business), is open for applications for its short term program offering up to 100% scholarships to Brazilians at the University of Akron, Ohio, U.S.A.
Applications are open until February 21st at 11:59 PM. Students will start in February 2022.
There are four courses to choose from: management and leadership, sales management and negotiation, marketing and innovation strategies and project management. For each of the four courses, a full scholarship will be offered, two of 70%, and additional scholarships ranging between 30% and 50%.
The full cost of any of the courses is US$7.900 (R$43.300). Applicants approved will have their respective discounts over this amount. Airfare, health insurance, visa expenses and a US$120 (R$660) registration fee are not included in the scholarship.
The institute, which is specialized in short-duration courses for training Latin American professionals in universities in the U.S.A., selects candidates semiannually for classes in February and July. But with the pandemic and the closing of borders, the calendar suffered changes.
In 2020, only the February courses were held. Students who were approved for the July courses last year will begin in July 2021. Should there be any change of dates because of the pandemic, LAIOB will assist the approved students.
Therefore, the selection process started on Monday refers to the courses starting in February 2022. The management and leadership, sales management and negotiation groups will begin on February 6th. Those approved for marketing and innovation strategies and project management will begin on February 20th.
Taking a short-duration course is a great opportunity for professionals who would like to have an experience abroad and contact with another language, but who are unable to be away from work for a very long period of time, for instance. With the approved students leaving only in February 2022, there is time to plan, as well as waiting for the vaccine situation to be further advanced in Brazil. The Butantan Institute and Fiocruz have already requested emergency use authorization in the country.
How the program works
The program runs for two weeks and has a total course load of 64 hours, divided between 32 hours of English lessons and 32 hours of the chosen course.
In the morning, all students have Business English lessons, focused on the business world, with tips on how to improve fluency in the language, as well as activities and debates on several subjects. In the afternoon, content is focused on the topics of the chosen course. Classes are held from Monday to Thursday.
On Friday of the first week, students will have the opportunity to explore companies in the region. They are selected by LAIOB and later reported to the students. The weekend is free for outings.
On Thursday of the second week, participants will be awarded a course completion certificate at a graduation ceremony.
Anyone currently attending or graduated from college is eligible to apply, provided they are over 18 years of age.
How to apply
To apply for the scholarships, applicants must log on to LAIOB’s website to fill out and return the application form. Applicants must answer personal questions to explain the reasons for applying and also professional questions. Lack of extensive professional experience does not exclude candidates from the process.
After assessing application forms, successful candidates in this first stage will undergo a telephone interview stage. Calls will be conducted between February 22nd and March 12th, 2021.
Part of the interview will be conducted in English, at which time recruiters will assess the candidate’s proficiency level. Advanced English is recommended in order to fully understand lessons, but no language certificate is required during selection.
The result will be published in all of the institution’s official websites on March 15th.
Criteria assessed in the selection process
According to the institution, socioeconomic considerations will not be assessed in the selection process and the main criteria adopted are:
English level
Professional Experience
Academic Background
Life experiences
Answering motivational questions
Interview performance
What’s included in the package
Transfer from Cleveland Airport (CLE) to the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio, at a time set for the group (round trip);
Classes from Monday to Thursday (two weeks program);
Classes in management and leadership or sales and negotiation management or marketing and innovation strategies or project management in the afternoon (four hours/class per day);
Business English in the morning (four hours/class per day);
Visit to companies in the region;
Free weekend for outings;
Breakfast (during the whole program);
Lunch in the university cafeterias (during class days);
Double room (hotel and/or college campus for 12 nights);
Graduation dinner and certificate ceremony.