Where did you study before coming to Bucerius Law School?
I am studying Law at the Federal University of Espírito Santo.
What makes the subject of international business law special?
My interest in this summer course subject comes from my studies background at the University. Business Law has been my favorite subject at college from the very beginning, especially the areas of Corporate Insolvency and Bankruptcy, and I’ve ended up becoming an assistant lecturer on this subject.
Regarding the International sphere, I began to be interested in it when I was invited to publish a book chapter on Transnational Insolvency, with the encouragement of a private law professor. So, the Bucerius’ summer course was the perfect combination, between two areas of my greatest dedication and interest currently.
Furthermore, I like the idea of arbitration and negotiation as alternative dispute resolution methods, on the rise in Brazilian Private Law nowadays, so I can say the course suits my profile in general.
How did you hear about the Bucerius summer program in Hamburg?
My business law professor at college, that I was approached as being her assistant lecturer, used to live in Hamburg, where she lived for more than 20 years, and even studied at the Max Planck Research Institute.
She recommended me the course because she knew that Bucerius was a renowned University in Germany and that I would fit the students’ profile. So, she wrote a letter of recommendation and gave me the idea about applying to Bucerius. And it was one of the best decisions of my life, I am eternally grateful to Dora Berger for all of this.
Where do you see the benefit in studying abroad?
The benefits are diverse, to start, leaving your comfort zone and having contact with a study environment in a completely different location, opens your mind to new perspectives, as well as captivating you in a certain way.
Meeting new people, with completely different cultural perceptions, also gives you the insight to start thinking “out of the box”. The combination of all this made me return to Brazil extremely inspired, with the desire to expand my lines of thought and apply all the experience, both in my studies and in my personal life.
Which site visit did you participate in?
About the site visits, I participated in the visit to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and to the Bucerius’ Kunstforum. The Maritime Court made me understand the size and the importance of this institution, both in its extensive operations and with legal actions that demand high complexity, and in the relevance of having its headquarters in Germany, especially in a city with as much maritime influence as Hamburg.
Regarding the Bucerius’ Kunstforum, the guided tour was super pleasant, with an incredible exhibition about Lee Miller's life story, with exclusive works and a super well-prepared guide visitor, it was an experience with impressive cultural aspects, and I was proud of Bucerius hosting something so big like that.
Was the work environment there different?
The work environment at Bucerius was very different from what I'm used to. There, the dynamics are much more present, a “study in movement”, I would say. The teachers' methodology is very personal, but they all prompt you with questions during classes, and the majority used to approach acting in practical cases to clarify their knowledge, with the students being actors and active participants in the learning process.
This made me learn in a different way than I was used to, in a subtle way I felt that knowledge reached me. I feel that I am the kind of person in which practical study works perfectly, and that was the impression I've got from Bucerius’ study methods.
What new experience are you going to put into practice?
For my future career, the summer course was certainly something that gave me a lot of inspiration. Realizing the breadth of the job market, on a global level, made me want to go even further than I thought I could go.
The classes contents opened me up perspectives of thought that I was not yet aware of, in addition to increasing my desire to specialize, do a Master's degree, a Doctorate, and beyond. Moreover, those are subjects that I had no contact with, in my University in Brazil, and knowing that there are great scholars on such specific fields of specialization made me direct myself even more on my favorites field of study.
What did you learn in the summer program?
My most recent research group involves Business and Arbitration topics, more specifically on the acting of “emergency arbitrors” in Brazil, topics covered in classes at Bucerius’ Summer Program. I am now bringing home the perspective of how this is dealt with in Germany, where, especially in arbitration, it is a country where there are more cases, and the study discussions are much more common than in Brazil.
In addition, the classes gave me insights into points that I can work on in more depth, such as the study cases proposed by Stephan Kröll, professor of arbitration, which forced me to think about “layers” of arbitration that I had not yet reached before.
The Litigation subject also made me establish a perspective of comparative study, of how this works in a European procedure, which will certainly bring references that will make my studies more visible and practical.
Where do you see the biggest chances in working together in an international group?
The greatest chances, for me, would be in the field of Transnational Insolvency, as it is a subject that intrinsically involves the study of cases around the world and foreign legal comparison.
An international group on this, I have the feeling that it would add to my research in different ways, in addition to the fact that it is a matter in which the parties and lawyers are also involved and in constant international relationship, until the case is resolved.
Who would you recommend the program to?
I would recommend it for people who have an adventurous profile, who like to take on challenges and step “out of the box”, for people who don't like to stick to traditionality and are willing to deal with different circumstances and kind of people.
Furthermore, I would recommend it to people who are feeling stuck in their study or work environment, as it is an experience that forces you to think in new ways and gives you some inspiration.
In my opinion, there is nothing to lose by going to a summer course at such a renowned university, I only have good things to say about my personal experience, so I would definitely recommend it to anyone who asked my opinion on the subject and was interested.
How did you like Hamburg?
Hamburg is a lovely city, an extremely calm, safe as well as a peaceful place to live. Although it is a considerably large city, where a lot of capital revolves, but this is shown in a subtle way, who gives it some charm.
Compared to Brazil, I felt more safe and less judged in Hamburg, and I've found people more focused and determined, although they still manage to have time to have fun and enjoy the beautiful views that the city provides. Despite this, I realized that people are more reserved, and this was a big cultural shock, as in Brazil people are generally warmer and more communicative.
My theory is that our mood here is influenced by the heat and the tropical climate, but I say that jokingly, of course, in Hamburg I’ve met incredible people, and managed to understand their unique ways of relating.
Davi, Thanks for the interview.
