iXperience Lisbon – Study + Intern 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. The support provided by the program coordinators was exemplary. From assisting with housing arrangements to offering guidance on navigating the city, they ensured a smooth and enriching experience. The friendships formed with fellow students from around the world added a global perspective to my journey and created lasting bonds. In conclusion, my study abroad experience in Lisbon, coupled with the internship at Ageas, was nothing short of phenomenal. The program not only broadened my academic and professional horizons but also enriched my personal growth. I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone seeking a well-rounded and transformative international experience. Lisbon and Ageas have left an indelible mark on my academic and professional journey, and I am immensely grateful for the memories and skills gained during this remarkable adventure.

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, 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!

I think it was a great learning experience, not just academically speaking, but personally as well. I took the data science course and I learned quite a lot but I suggest you learn a bit of python (or the language you will use) before coming because you will not be able to keep up if you don't. Learning so much content in such a short amount of time is not ideal. There are definitely a lot of things they should improve but I am glad I was exposed to important aspects of machine learning and that I got to apply some of the concepts through the internship. It's a great opportunity if that's what you need.

When I found out about iXperience and the amazing opportunity it provided to not only study but also work abroad, I was immediately sold. I love traveling and exploring new places, but I thought that I needed to get some real work experience the summer after my sophomore year of college. iXperience allowed me to combine both in one summer. I met some of the most amazing people, explored some really cool spots around Portugal and made so many great memories. Our classes were interesting, but never too intense or overloaded with work, and the internships provided so many cool opportunities to learn a huge variety of skills. As well, the program made sure to provide us with plenty of opportunities to explore Lisbon on our own and through outings they planned. I will never forget this truly incredible summer with iXperience.

I thought that overall iXperience was an incredibly enriching experience. I took the full stack coding course and learned so much (learning how to build front/back-end applications/APIs/databases/applications in multiple frameworks etc...). Would highly recommend to anyone interested in getting into web/software development!

iXperience is a program that I recommend to everybody as I truly believe that it is an opportunity that can not be passed up. I learned more in the 6 weeks of classes than I have in my years of college combined. Although it was rigorous, the teachers all wanted you to succeed, and were all willing to stay late and meet with you early to ensure that you understand everything. All the kids that attended the program end up being like family at the end of the trip, and you make many life long friends.

Doing iXperience was such a cool experience! Not only were we studying abroad in a cool country (ie. Portugal), but we were learning relevant skills and getting real work experience. I learned a lot about how different other countries could be, as I hadn't traveled much before this. I also learned a lot of major-related skills that will help me in the future when looking for another internship or a full-time job.

Six-weeks ago, I wouldn’t have been able to even tell you what a consultant does, now merely forty-two days later I am one. When I first heard about iX, from my sister, I thought it sounded too good to be true. How could I possibly be able to be placed into a consulting internship after only 2 weeks of class, when previously I knew nothing? There’s no way I would be prepared enough, right? Wrong! The iX experience is hands on and intense in the best way possible. On the first day of class I learned what a consultant does, what the consulting industry is like, learned how to define a client issue, and got assigned to a project team. Day one, I was already beginning to do the work of a consultant. A week later my team, composed of students from across the globe, and I had created a proposal and presented it to the class. That’s CRAZY! Now four weeks later, at the end of my six-week program, I’m working on my final presentation to present to my client. During my internship, my team and I were tasked with quantitatively measuring the sustainable impact of an eco-hostel in Lisbon. We researched best practices, created KPIs, and discovered the requirements necessary for the hostel to become Green Key certified. We were able to create sustainability trackers that the hostel will implement and use to increase their sustainability in the future as well as tangibly show their progress to investors. Now, that I’m at the end, I’m sad to go. I’m going to miss all the amazing people in the program and the beautiful city of Lisbon. My favorite excursion was a trip to Carcavelos for surfing lessons! Besides a few over achievers (lol), no one knew how to surf before the excursion. We showed up, put on our ridiculous looking wet suits, and carried our boards down to the beach. We spent 10 minutes running around and stretching, in our wet suits I might add, which made us look ridiculous hahah, in order to get our blood pumping. Then they gave us a lesson on the beach where we all attempted to “pop up” into our surfing stances before being released to try it on the water. As I’m sure you can probably imagine, we fell A LOT. But, by the end of the excursion everyone had stood up and surfed for at least 2 seconds, so I’d call it a success. I’ve learned so much, gotten to know so many different people, and would do it all over again in a heartbeat!

This was a really fun experience, I got to learn a lot and really decide on what my future career is going to be. There are lots of things to do and lots of places to visit and most importantly the amount of freedom they give you is almost unlimited which is really good for both introverts and extroverts alike. All the staff are very helpful and the teaching staff are always there if you need help.

I went to Lisbon for iX Summer 2018 and it was honestly the greatest experience. It was my first time in Europe, I knew no one going into it, and I felt unprepared for what we would be learning. From the moment I arrived, however, the program directors made me feel very comfortable and at ease and the whole program went so smoothly. Our class got really close by the end of it and we all still keep in contact to this day. I got to spend the summer with passionate, like-minded college students from across the country and abroad in an incredible city while learning career-building skills. I cannot imagine a better study/intern abroad program.