In March 2004 the DePaul University School of Computer Science, Telecommunications and Information Systems (CTI) hosted its first graduate-level study abroad program in Brazil. Associate Professor of Information Systems Olayele Adelakun accompanied 20 students to Rio de Janeiro for one week of company visits and cultural exchange. In all the class visited 9 companies of all types, profit and non-profit, private and government-owned, and enjoyed a slice of Brazilian life that included great food, incredible music, magnificent natural views and even play-off soccer.

Study abroad is one of many ways DePaul University connects students to the world at large. The objective of this program was to expose CTI graduate students to the reality of information technology (IT) in an economically emerging country through visits with various IT stakeholders in the organizations. This process allowed the class to learn about IT usage, management, development and policy with a focus on how the companies utilize IT to gain strategic advantage.

Brazil provided a particularly interesting backdrop for this study due to its diversity and extreme contrasts. From the banks of the Amazon River to the streets of São Paulo – one of the world’s 10 largest cities - different ethnicities of people from all over the globe call Brazil home. While variety breeds tolerance, it creates a unique set of challenges for an economy looking to forge a stable international presence. This course offered students the chance to examine Brazilian culture and economic development, and the role of technology within it.

Please browse this web site to learn more about the companies visited and the research projects completed by the students.