Expert: Edison - 5/12/2006

Question
Hi Edison,

I'm a Brazilian who moved out of Brazil in 1978, when I was only 11 years old.  I just went back 2 years ago and fell in love with my country.  I'm also an American Citizen.  I'm looking at going back and starting a business there.  I have a wife born in Venezuela but has lived here all but 3 years of her life.  I also have 2 daughters, one in high school and one due to start college this year to major in International Business.  Our whole family speaks Spanish although I'm the only one fluent in Portuguese.

I would like for all of us to move.  Many of my American and Brazilian friends that live or have lived there don't have any major objections.

Here are my questions:
1. If I did not start my own business, what is the job market like for a trilingual person (English/Spanish/Portuguese) with a B.S. in Business Administration?
2. How do international businesses in Brazil view someone (thinking about my daughter) who completes her degree in Brazil to learn the language, as opposed to having a degree from the U.S.?
3. Some of my friends have made good money teaching English in Brazil?  Is there an advantage to be an English and Spanish teacher?

Thanks for your time in answering these questions

Answer
Agnaldo,

This is difficult and very personal question. My suggestions are:

1. I would try to find a job in US to work for an American company in Brazil. They could pay some of your moving expenses and you would get a higher salary. In case you change your mind, you can always can come to work for them in US.

2. If you daughter attends a top business school in Brazil and knows multiple languages she can easily find a great job anywhere. Another option for her is to finish her degree in US and spend a lot of  time in Brazil learning Portuguese (and maybe take some classes there). I believe the multiple languages and a good school are the keys for her success.

3.  I don't think that many people make a lot of money teaching English or Spanish in Brazil, but it can always help on the budget.

Remember, for each alternative; always have plans B and C.

Boa sorte!

Edison