Internships for Bilbao / Getxo, Spain

Summer Entrepreneurial Development Internship

The Summer Entrepreneurial Development Internship is a competitive, 6-credit internship affiliated with the E.U. Europen-PEN project, a network of 7000 virtual enterprises operating in 46 countries around the world (penworldwide.org).

This 8-week internship placement (requires enrollment in both summer session) provides students with with the hands-on experience of creating and managing a virtual enterprise. Groups are organized into two teams of 6-8 members.

During Phase I: New Venture Creation, each team will develop a business model and write a business plan under the guidance and supervision of an experienced instructor and through visits to local business incubators, venture capital firms, successful startups, business parks, and public and private agencies promoting new venture creation. Each team will then present their idea to a board of investors made up of business faculty at the University of the Basque Country (UPV) and local professionals in Bilbao.

During Phase II: Business Operations Practicum, teams will have secured their virtual funding and each member will participate in the management and operation of their virtual firm as an employee with a dedicated area of responsibility. Each enterprise will carry out critical functions of business operations, such as regulatory compliance, product development, market research and developing advertising strategies, purchasing virtual inventory, managing logistics, marketing products or services, managing revenue and expenses, and maintaining financial records.

• Through this experience, each team member will develop real-world competencies in new venture creation, international business operations, professional communications, leadership, public speaking, teamwork, and more.

Application Deadline: March 15th, 2020.

Internships in Bilbao are offered during the semester and yearlong academic terms. Internships are optional and included in your program fees. They range from 1-3 credits and are counted as part of your credit load. Interns earn credit, but no financial compensation. In addition to professional and academic experience, internships are a great way to immerse yourself in the culture, meet locals, and practice your language skills. You will be placed in a Spanish-speaking environment, with high exposure to culture and language, and must be able to communicate at the Track IV level.

Previous internship placements in Bilbao have included:

• Art Gallery
• Primary School
• Business Incubator
• Local High school
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Extracurricular Activities/Tutoring for Disadvantaged Youth

USAC will attempt to place students in a field related to the student’s interest, although placement depends on availability and qualifications. If you are interested in a particular field that is not mentioned above, it is of utmost importance that you contact the USAC office at least three months in advance so that the internship coordinator can attempt to find something that suits you.

Eligibility:

• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Junior standing (at time of internship)
• Foreign language proficiency (some placements)

Beginning in Summer 2021, a non-refundable internship placement fee will be required of all students participating in an in-person USAC internship. This fee helps offset the costs of securing quality internship placements and helps provide a range of professional development activities, including an online internship seminar, career workshops, and panel discussions. The fee amount has not been finalized but will be announced in the near future.

Placement is not guaranteed by USAC; rather it will be determined by your application, supporting materials, and an interview with the internship sponsor on site.