Felipe Silvestri, a fourth-year student at Duke Kunshan University, has been named a 2025 Fundação Estudar Fellow, one of Brazil’s most competitive fellowships for young leaders, awarded to less than 0.5% of applicants each year.
Silvestri, a political economy major, is one of only two fellows currently based in China. His goal, he said, is “to become the most relevant interpreter of Brazil–China relations — not the person who translates, but the person who can bridge both countries.”
Born in São Paulo, he spent part of his childhood in Monterrey, Mexico, where he learned Spanish and English. Back in Brazil at age 11, he studied French before turning to Mandarin in high school.
“I noticed that China and Brazil were already very close,” he said. “But even in the largest city in Brazil, I didn’t know anyone who spoke Chinese. I saw that as an opportunity — if I can start early, become fluent, know the culture, there’s not a lot of people who can compete with me.”
That interest led him to Duke Kunshan University in China to “experience the language and culture directly.” At DKU, Silvestri has combined coursework with internships that bridge Brazil and China. He has researched refugee histories with Professors Kolleen Guy and Jay Winter, worked on sustainable investment with Professor Junjie Zhang, and interned in finance, infrastructure and commodities, including a Shanghai-based role in Brazil’s meat export sector.
He also co-captained DKU’s football team, which he called “a real lesson in leadership — learning to delegate, manage different personalities and build a common identity among players from more than 10 nationalities.”
Applying to Estudar was a lesson in persistence. Silvestri first applied in 2022 and again in 2023 before finally succeeding this year.
“The biggest challenge I faced was clearly framing all the experiences I’ve had,” he said. “It was about storytelling — being able to make the different parts fit into one thing. I think what impressed them was the persistence — I started early, and since then I’ve done everything related to China.”
For Silvestri, the fellowship is not only recognition but also a chance to inspire others.
“If people don’t know anyone who went to China, why would they be the first one to go?” he said. “I hope my story can show them it’s possible.”
Founded in 1991 by 3G Capital co-creators Jorge Paulo Lemann, Marcel Telles and Beto Sicupira, Fundação Estudar has built a global network of more than 900 fellows over 33 years. The program supports young Brazilians with funding, mentorship and lifelong professional development, aiming to “empower the potential of young Brazilian talent so they can lead meaningful transformations.” Fellows are spread across 177 institutions worldwide and more than 250 fields of study.
