Alexon Grochowski: What do people say about CGC Rio?

While in Brazil, I had a remarkably positive experience, as I believe in the Nova Escola's mission and work and enjoyed exploring Brazilian culture. As part of my internship, I traveled to Rio where I reached out to the CGC team. I initially met Teresa Borges over dinner in Sao Paulo during our initial client meeting in January. This second time, I had the privilege to tour the CGC offices where I felt right at home. It is always astounding how far the Columbia network reaches - thanks so much for having me! 

Editor's note:

We had the pleasure of receiving Alexon Grochowski from Columbia SIPA at our Columbia Global Centers | Rio de Janeiro office and she wrote us a few words after her visit in Brazil.

By
Leticia Katz
December 06, 2019

"As a part of Columbia University's Ed Tech Challenge in partnership with the Lemann Foundation and the Columbia Center for Entrepreneurship - Design Studio, I served as a consultant with a dynamic, interdisciplinary team of 5 other Columbia students throughout the Spring 2019 semester. At the start of the program, we traveled to Sao Paulo to meet with our client, Nova Escola, and conduct focus group and stakeholder interviews. Our team continued to work on this project remotely from New York, conducting a landscape analysis, literature review, and market research. We developed six prototypes in partnership with Nova Escola. Ultimately, I joined Nova Escola in the summer to help implement one of the recommended prototypes, an online mentorship platform.

While in Brazil, I had a remarkably positive experience, as I believe in the Nova Escola's mission and work and enjoyed exploring Brazilian culture. As part of my internship, I traveled to Rio where I reached out to the CGC team. I initially met Teresa Borges over dinner in Sao Paulo during our initial client meeting in January. This second time, I had the privilege to tour the CGC offices where I felt right at home. It is always astounding how far the Columbia network reaches - thanks so much for having me".

 

CGC Rio: Why did you decide to work with Nova Escola? 

Alexon: As a part of Columbia University's Ed Tech Challenge in partnership with the Lemann Foundation, I served as a consultant with a dynamic, interdisciplinary team of 5 other Columbia students throughout the Spring 2019 semester. We were paired with Nova Escola as our client, a well-established platform for teachers operating for over 30 years in Brazil. Following a survey where over 5,000 responding teachers reported high rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, Nova Escola wanted to somehow address the mental health of teachers in Brazil. They charged our team with evaluating the viability and potential impact of a new product's ability to promote mental wellness. Throughout the semester, we traveled to Brazil to conduct focus groups and put together a landscape analysis, literature review, and market research. Based on our findings and in partnership with Nova Escola, we developed six prototypes. Ultimately, I joined Nova Escola in the summer to help implement one of the recommended prototypes, an online mentorship platform aimed to promote community as to reduce loneliness.

CGC Rio: How impactful was this experience to your career? 

Alexon: Nova Escola's work is very unique in the space. Our landscape analysis showed that not many other groups promote mental wellness or social and emotional skills catered exclusively to educators worldwide and even fewer were doing any related activities in Brazil, so our work felt very innovative in the ed tech industry at large. While Nova Escola has a very established name amongst their key audience of teachers, they are continually reinventing themselves, which gives it a start-up feel. As such, they quickly implemented our recommendations. Immediately after we delivered our report, Nova Escola formally rolled out their "Mental Wellness" product. Through this opportunity, I realized I have a passion for development consulting and hope to do so full-time after my time at SIPA. 

CGC Rio: How was your experience here in Brazil?

Alexon: I loved it! This trip marks my second time in Brazil, and I fell even more deeply in love with the culture, the music, and the food - including, but not limited to (sorry in advance for the spelling errors): feijoada, brigadeiro, pastel, pao de queijo, and, of course, cachaca - all of which my amazing Nova Escola team introduced me to :) I was captivated by the street art everywhere and the blocos and the people. I met some of the most amazing, open, warm people. Brazil is, by far, one of the most vibrant places I have ever visited, and I've only had the pleasure of exploring a small portion of the country. I will definitely return.  

CGC Rio: Did you have a professor who inspired you?

Alexon: Professor Sarah Holloway at the School of International and Public Affairs served as my mentor throughout the entire consulting process and during my time in Brazil. Alongside Adam Day and Joe Heritage at Columbia's Center for Entrepreneurship - Design Studio, Sarah developed the idea for the Ed Tech Program and led our cohort throughout the semester. I am forever grateful to them for this opportunity! 

CGC Rio: What kind of partnership would you like to do with Columbia Global Centers? 

Alexon: While in Rio, it was great to connect with the CGC and link to the broader Columbia network. Perhaps the CGC should collaborate with the Design Studio in the future to develop projects where future cohorts can consult in Rio, hint hint* :)