It was July 2024, and my husband, Luis, had left a week earlier to start his Business, Communication and Culture (BCC) course. I needed one more week to organize my life before moving to Durham — my first time on the East Coast. At that time, I had only two certainties: first, I would have to leave my job as a finance coordinator in São Paulo, Brazil, and second, I would need to build my network and reinvent myself in a new country. I can’t say I wasn’t anxious and a bit afraid of the massive change I would face.

Settling Into Our New Community

From day one, the Fuqua community was incredible. Luis came to pick me up at the airport with other Brazilian students. I felt at home within a few days, largely thanks to the Brazilian community we quickly built. With that foundation set, I started immersing myself in Fuqua life — attending events and classes, watching football and basketball games, and even experiencing the graduate student campout for a chance to buy Duke men’s basketball season tickets.

Fabiana Tereso Barbarini and her husband, Luis Cassius, stand on the bleachers at Wallace Wade Stadium during a Duke football game, the scoreboard is in the background

In our first few months in Durham, the Duke MBA Latin American Student Association (LASA) was a lifeline. LASA aims to create a space where Latin cultures are shared and celebrated. Eager to deepen my involvement with the LASA family, I also applied to join the club’s partners’ cabinet. This role is just one way I can give back to the community that warmly welcomed me.

Starting a New Chapter

In August, it was time for another change: my last day at my previous job. As the leader of a team I built from the ground up, I felt heartbroken to leave. But I also knew my team was ready for new challenges and a new leader. I had accomplished my mission there, and it was time for a new chapter.

Fabiana Tereso Barbarini and members of the Brazilian student community at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business in an apartment holding up a Brazil flag

For three weeks, I reflected on what I wanted to do next — should I take specific courses, embrace a sabbatical year, or fully commit to an MBA program? While deliberating, I remained active in LASA and started volunteering as a pet sitter for Fuqua and Duke students.

This experience turned out to be far more than just a hobby. Walking around Durham with pets, primarily dogs, allowed me to build my network beyond my husband’s friendships and the Latin community. It was exactly what I had hoped to achieve when I moved here!

Discovering My Entrepreneurial Vision

Unexpectedly, this experience caring for pets helped me realize something new: I had a passion for entrepreneurship. This idea felt like something that was truly mine. Wanting to separate my care from others, I started to send pet owners feedback about their pet’s day, and they saw much value in my service.

A black dog wearing a red harness and holding an orange ball in its mouth in a fenced-in dog park

As I built my community, I saw the everyday learning and other opportunities that my friends had at Fuqua. I finally decided to pursue my MBA. Seeing firsthand how Fuqua welcomed me and my family, witnessing the program’s reputation with top companies, meeting incredible faculty, and experiencing Duke’s world-class support — there was no doubt in my mind that Duke was the right choice for me.

And now, as a happy new chapter to my journey, I am thrilled to say this experience has come full circle, and that I have been admitted to the Daytime MBA Class of 2027! I can’t wait to see what the future holds, start classes, and meet my new colleagues.