The ELI Student Spotlight series is designed to highlight students who demonstrate outstanding commitment and enthusiasm in ELI courses.

Meet Yuri Augusto Carreiro! Anna A. Eddy nominated Yuri for the Fall 2023 ELI Student Spotlight for his work in the ELI 531 Language and Communication class. Yuri brings curiosity and openness to class each time. He is always eager to engage in conversations, take risks, and motivate other students in class to do their best. Congratulations, Yiri!

Name: Yuri Augusto Carreiro

Hometown: São Paulo

Country: Brazil

Degree Program: Master of Business Administration


What inspired you to take a class at the English Language Institute?

As an international student in the MBA program, I felt a bit insecure about my speaking skills, especially since it was my first time living abroad. I wanted to be prepared for class discussions and the recruiting process in general, so I saw the classes at the English Language Institute as a wonderful opportunity to enhance my English proficiency.

What have you enjoyed the most about your class? Why?

Having the opportunity to improve our speaking skills with other international students makes the experience much more exciting. In class, we can discuss our different cultures, cuisines, and traditions while learning new tools to make our conversations as natural as possible!

What exciting project are you working on in your degree program?

I'm the Associate Vice President of Prospective Students at BRASA (Brazilian Business Student Association), a club dedicated to sharing Brazilian culture and empowering the Brazilian community at Ross Business School. Particularly at this time of year, many people interested in the MBA Program want to learn more about the student experience at the University of Michigan and in the city of Ann Arbor. Currently, I'm planning and compiling various sources of important information about the MBA program to share with prospective students.

What do you hope to do after graduating from Michigan?

Before joining Ross, I worked in strategy at a retail bank in Brazil for 7 years. I enjoyed the types of problems I was solving in Financial Services, but I wanted to broaden my knowledge across various industries. With that in mind, I aspire to work in a consulting company, where I can engage with different industries in a relatively short period of time.

What advice would you give to other international students at U-M?

Come to this experience without fear! Here at U-M, all the students, faculty, and professors are incredibly supportive, making you feel part of the U-M community even before arriving in Ann Arbor. Additionally, the university offers numerous resources for you to practice and improve your English, as well as explore the city of Ann Arbor and its delightful surprises.