Friends of Portugal’s New Internship Program
Since the time of its founding, Friends of Portugal (FOP) has supported student involvement in Portugal. Recently, FOP has begun those discussions again as new interests and opportunities have emerged to build deeper connections to other regions of Portugal, particularly in rural or interior areas needing support. Partnering with interested North American students, college-age, recent graduates, or young professionals has been the focus of these discussions.
One of the key tenets of FOP 2.0 is to develop new beta projects and strategic partnerships between Portugal and North America. For the past few years, FOP and Tabor College, located in Hillsboro, KS, have had several on-campus exchanges and meetings. In October 2023, Tabor Business Department faculty members and FOP Board of Directors Members traveled to Portugal for a vision trip. After much time and conversations together, FOP leadership and Tabor College agreed to take the next steps towards developing their relationship further. Key to this is the opportunity for Tabor students to travel to Portugal for professional internships based out of the new co-space affiliated with Friends of Portugal, Alcácer Hub, which opened in June 2023 in the town of Alcácer do Sal, located one hour south of Lisbon.
The International Entrepreneurship Program (IEP) builds upon FOP’s Internship Program. Tabor and FOP have mutually agreed to work towards three goals over the next 18 months:
Tabor College sent 2 interns to support Shaye Dubberke as FOP’s International Coordinator in May 2024.
Tabor will organize a May 2025 student and faculty trip to Portugal for 10-15 attendees.
Other possible events, engagements, mentoring, and service in Portugal as appropriate.
Students who participate in the new IEP focus on projects involving local business research, various tasks and projects for FOP, Alcácer Hub, and several companies seeking participation in the IEP. They also mentor local high school students in business plans, entrepreneurship, and basic business skills, and develop greater international business and cross-cultural skills. FOP’s engagement in the town of Alcácer do Sal, with existing infrastructure, connections, and platforms, helps to enhance its voice and vision in Portugal and bolster the new International Entrepreneurship Program.
In May 2024, we had the pleasure of welcoming Alia Hirschi and Sasha Wasinger, two business students from Tabor College, as our first interns under this program. They worked in Alcácer do Sal, hosting two impactful workshops for local high school students and sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and business skills. Their internship also included assisting FOP and the Alcácer Hub team on various projects, meeting local young women, and bringing new ideas and perspectives to Alcácer. This experience has been a significant "beta test" for our new International Entrepreneurship Program (IEP). A huge thank you to Alia and Sasha for their hard work and dedication. We look forward to more successful collaborations in the future!
If you or your organization would like to find out more about the IEP, please contact us below.