Interview with FinnChamm Brazil - Trainee Vladimir Gogolev

1.        Who are you, where are you interning, and what are your responsibilities?

 My name is Vladimir Gogolev, an international student from Business College Helsinki, Finland, (expected graduation with a Qualification In Business degree: August 2024). I'm currently completing an internship at the Finnish Chamber of Commerce (FinnCham) in Campinas, Brazil as a Project Development Intern.

I've actively participating in various impactful projects across diverse fields like agriculture, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), medical, and fostering innovation between Finland and Brazil, primarily focusing on project planning, research, and development.

2.        What has been the most interesting aspect so far? Has anything surprised you?

The internship has provided a fascinating cultural immersion. The stark contrast in weather – arriving in São Paulo from Helsinki's -15°C to a balmy +35°C – was just the beginning! The business culture here is noticeably more emotional and open, with greetings often involving hugs even in formal settings.

Most surprising for me? Seeing how a smaller country like Finland can impact a bigger one like Brazil, even across the globe. And start of my internship has already revealed the abundance of promising business opportunities in Brazil's current market.

3.        Have you had the opportunity to meet Finnish companies at your exchange destination?

I've had the pleasure of participating in several FinnCham official events, where I met top managers from leading companies like ICEYE LATAM, Wärtsilä, Valmet, AFRY, Tecnotree, and Nokia LATAM. Notably, I also had the honor of meeting Ms. Nina Kopola, CEO of Business Finland. Through my involvement in developing projects at FinnCham,

I look forward to connecting with many more prominent figures in the Brazilian business community.

Visiting tomatoes plantations in Monte Mor city, Campinas region of Brazil as a part of Agricultural project