iXperience Lisbon – Career Bootcamp + Internship Summer Abroad

I recently had the incredible opportunity to participate in a study abroad program in Lisbon, Portugal, and I can confidently say it was a life-changing experience. The program not only immersed me in the rich culture and history of Lisbon but also provided a unique professional edge through an internship at Ageas.

From the moment I arrived in Lisbon, I was captivated by the city's charm, warm hospitality, and vibrant atmosphere. The study abroad program seamlessly blended academic rigor with cultural exploration, allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of Portugal's history, language, and contemporary issues. The well-structured courses were taught by knowledgeable and engaging professors who facilitated thought-provoking discussions, making learning both enjoyable and intellectually stimulating.

One of the highlights of this program was the internship at Ageas, a leading insurance company. The opportunity to work in a global corporate environment provided invaluable insights into the professional world and allowed me to apply the knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world scenarios. The Ageas team was incredibly supportive, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.

The internship experience at Ageas was not just about acquiring skills but also about personal growth. I had the chance to work on meaningful projects, collaborate with talented professionals, and gain exposure to the dynamics of the insurance industry. The hands-on experience complemented my academic studies, enhancing my overall understanding of business practices and global markets.

Living in Lisbon was a joy in itself. The city's picturesque landscapes, historic architecture, and diverse culinary scene made every day an adventure. The study abroad program organizers went above and beyond to ensure our integration into Portuguese culture, organizing cultural excursions, language immersion activities, and networking events that allowed us to connect with locals and fellow students.

iXperience was an amazing part of my summer. I was exposed to an entire new industry by doing the management consulting course. The professor and TAs were continuously enthusiastic about our learning and growth which made the experience even better. The internship was incredible and I was able to work directly with the founder of the company with the rest of my internship team. Aside from learning and the internship, the opportunity to travel to Lisbon was absolutely amazing. It was my first time in Europe and I instantly loved it. The beaches, food, and hikes were out of this world (see photos!!). I met some of my favorite people and still talk to them daily:) I'm beyond happy that I did this program and got exposed to a new career path, as well as an entire new country.

I recently had the privilege of traveling to Lisbon, Portugal, to attend iXperience's investment finance course. This one-of-a-kind program seamlessly blended learning with adventure, allowing me to gain valuable financial knowledge while also experiencing the best of what Lisbon has to offer.

My instructor, Taryn, was an expert in her field and made complex financial concepts like discounted cash flow easy to grasp. Her passion for teaching and her dedication to her students were evident in every class. I feel confident that the skills I learned in Taryn's course will prepare me well for my corporate finance course at UNC this semester.

Beyond my academic pursuits, I also had the opportunity to immerse myself in Lisbon's vibrant culture and cuisine. I savored every moment trying out local restaurants and bars, and I bonded with my iX peers as we explored the city's rich history and culture. We visited castles, surfed on beautiful beaches, danced at festivals, and played soccer with locals.

My time in Lisbon was truly transformative. It was an experience that I will cherish for a lifetime, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have participated in iXperience's investment finance course. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is interested in learning about investment finance while also experiencing the beauty of Lisbon.

iXperience was an amazing opportunity and a awesome study abroad program for anyone looking to travel and get work experience during the summer. The program directors were amazing and created so many opportunities to explore Europe while I was abroad in Lisbon, Portugal. From paint balling, to sunset cruises, to traveling to countries outside of just Portugal there was always so many great experiences to have, while also gaining valuable work and business skills and become a part of the iX network. Thank You iX!

Such an amazing 6 weeks, highly recommend the program to anyone interested in traveling abroad while also developing multiple hard and soft skills that will really make you stand out to recruiters. So happy I chose to apply!

I had the privilege of conducting insightful market and competitor research these past 4 weeks, aiding Dona Rosa’s future European expansion plans alongside my talented team. A huge thank you as well to Thomas Azcue and Tomás Noronha for their guidance and support throughout this experience!

During my time in Lisbon with iX, I was able to rapidly increase my professional maturity, improve my independence, and develop as a citizen of the world. The program consists of a two-week intensive course in your chosen subject followed by a four-week internship with a company either in-person or remote with project(s) pertaining to the content covered in the course. The course is taught by a successful professional in the industry and continues to meet twice a week throughout the internship for continued support and education. The program coordinators and other iX personnel were incredibly supportive throughout the course, internship, and program, and absolutely wonderful to spend time with on the many group excursions. Moreover, through the selective process of admission, fellow iXers will share a passion for education and success while bringing their unique backgrounds and histories to cultivate a fully eye-opening experience. Through the strong relationships formed with your professor, internship manager, program coordinators, and peers, iX Lisbon was a great investment for both my professional future, my knowledge of the world, and for developing strong friendships with people from all over.

I believe that if anyone has the opportunity to go on this program, that they absolutely do! Not only is it a great way to see the world, the character building that I saw within my peers and I was amazing. It genuinely is the most comfortable way to get out of your comfort zone, as the staff of the iX program are some of the best human beings I have met. There is no lack of support during the program, concise and succinct talks with professionals in major fields, and tons of fun, whether in a group or just by yourself! Definitely the type of program that requires self-starters, people who know what they want out of the program, because you will get a return on what you invest into it!

Spending six weeks in Lisbon with iXperience was undoubtedly one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. I had never been one to jump at an opportunity which would push me way outside of my comfort zone, so I at first was quite hesitant to go abroad this summer. After giving it more thought, though, I saw this program as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and decided to give it a shot.

And what a great decision that was...

The next six weeks would be arguably the most exciting and important ones of my life. Never in my life had I met so many amazing people from incredibly diverse backgrounds in such a short period of time. The relationships with the thirty other students that I formed on this trip were like nothing I could have imagined and have left me so excited to see what everyone does with their lives.

The class and internship that I had both exceeded my expectations and gave me great experience in an industry that I'm looking to pursue. My teacher, TAs, and internship manager were all so supportive throughout the six weeks and taught me more in that timeframe than I would learn in a semester of a normal class. I am without a doubt more prepared for the corporate world than I would be without this program.

The most unexpectedly rewarding part of this trip for me was getting to know the two Lisbon program directors, Jakes and Amy. Prior to arriving, I figured these two would just be making sure things were running ok and not interacting much with the group. Fortunately, that second part was not the case, and I became closer with both Jakes and Amy than I have become with almost any teacher or coach that I've had over the years. They were both so dedicated to their jobs and would go out of their way to make sure the students had the best experience as possible, even if it meant sacrificing their experience in some way. Jakes was always checking in to make sure we were satisfied with the accommodation and excursions, and Amy was eager to offer any career advice or help with our internships whenever we needed it. The two of them took what was already a phenomenal experience to an even higher level.

If you have any hesitation to do this program, let this review be your sign to go for it. I am the definition of a homebody... I have lived in basically the same city my entire life, went to the same school from 1st to 12th grade, and had never been away from home longer than a week until college (which happens to only be a couple hours away from home). I truly doubt that I was part of the target audience for this trip. But, after having such an incredible experience and reflecting extensively on my time abroad, I don't believe there is a target audience for such a program. Everyone, regardless of the type of person they are, can take something away from iXperience that will change their life for the better. Whether that be the professional experience you gain, the new city you explore, or the lifelong friendships you develop, I am confident that this program offers something to all. I cannot recommend iXperience enough and hope everyone has the chance to enjoy this program the way I did.