Brazilian Student Conquers Top Internship at World Bank Amidst 33,000 Applicants

Gabrielle Hayashi Santos, a Brazilian student, has achieved a remarkable feat by securing one of the 120 internship positions at the World Bank, competing with nearly 33,000 candidates.

Gabrielle's journey to success began when she started to develop an interest in international exchange programs during her high school years. However, she initially believed that such opportunities were out of her reach due to financial constraints.

"Without a doubt, I had a strong desire to participate in an exchange program, but it was something that seemed too expensive for my socio-economic reality," Gabrielle explained in an interview.

Despite her initial doubts, Gabrielle went on to secure various scholarships for courses abroad, focusing on leadership, youth development, and entrepreneurship. These experiences not only broadened her horizons but also helped her develop a deeper understanding of the world.

## Breaking Down Barriers

Gabrielle's family background played a significant role in shaping her experiences. Her father, who had to drop out of school in the fifth grade to support his family, eventually returned to education when Gabrielle was six years old. Her mother, a Japanese-Brazilian, had grown up in a small agricultural town in the Mato Grosso interior and had moved to Bauru to pursue higher education.

Gabrielle's family had limited exposure to international experiences, with her relatives often traveling to Japan for work. However, Gabrielle's own experiences abroad, starting with a scholarship to a course in Canada, helped her develop a unique perspective on international development.

## The World Bank Internship Process

Gabrielle's success in securing the World Bank internship was not without its challenges. The selection process typically occurs twice a year and requires candidates to submit a curriculum vitae and a letter of presentation. The latter is a common requirement in international selections, where candidates must showcase their interest in the opportunity, their potential contributions, and why they believe they are the best fit for the position.

The next stage involves a type of test where candidates are presented with cases and must respond to quantitative and reasoning questions to demonstrate their decision-making skills.

Gabrielle credits her well-structured curriculum vitae, which included relevant keywords and was tailored to the specific position, as well as her letter of presentation, which highlighted her alignment with the World Bank's mission, as key factors that contributed to her success.

## A Dream Within Reach

Since May, Gabrielle has been working as an intern at the World Bank, where she has had the opportunity to work with a Brazilian supervisor and a Brazilian director. She believes that, despite the challenges, securing a spot is possible for other young Brazilians.

Gabrielle identifies language proficiency in English as a significant barrier, as well as the lack of familiarity with the letter of presentation. However, she notes that online resources, videos, and even artificial intelligence can help simplify the process by providing models and examples.

Gabrielle's ultimate goal is to share her experiences and demonstrate that building a career in international organizations is possible for young Brazilians.