Kayla | Business Development Internship at Absolute Internship

Kayla J.

Business Development InternshipAbsolute Internship|LisbonLisbon

Now studying BBA with specializations in Business Analytics and International Management at SBS Swiss Business School

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Internship

Business DevelopmentUnited StatesUnited States

Currently

BBA with specializations in Business Analytics and International Management SBS Swiss Business School

Hey!!! I completed my business development internship in Lisbon, Portugal and it was an incredible experience that let me apply everything I learned in university to real business situations. I also fell in love with the city of Lisbon and traveling to other parts of Portugal with amazing friends:)

Ask me about

Choosing my course The application process Moving abroad Accommodation Internships Career planning

Kayla is a former student and verified Absolute Internship ambassador

Why Kayla chose this path

“I chose to complete my internship abroad because I wanted to push myself outside of my comfort zone and experience what it was like to live and work somewhere completely unfamiliar to me. Being on my own in a new city forced me to build confidence and take responsibility for things I might not have had to think about at home, from navigating daily logistics to figuring out how a different culture and pace of life worked. Professionally, it gave me the chance to apply what I had learned at university in a real business setting, rather than just in theory. Working alongside colleagues from countries also taught me how to communicate more effectively across cultural and language differences, and how to be comfortable asking for help and guidance. ”

How I got in

I chose to complete my internship abroad in Lisbon, Portugal, for a mix of personal and professional reasons. On a personal level, I am half Portuguese, so this was an incredible opportunity to reconnect with my roots and spend time with my relatives who still live in Portugal. It also let me immerse myself in the language and practice it everyday. Beyond my family connection, Lisbon itself drew me in with its food, people, and culture, along with easy access to the beach and other parts of the country that I got to explore with the amazing friends I made through the program.

Top tips for getting accepted

1. Learn a few basic Portuguese phrases: many locals speak English, especially in work settings and touristy areas, but knowing greetings, “please/thank you,” and basic directions goes a long way and shows respect. 2. Get comfortable with the hills and cobblestones: Lisbon is built on seven hills with uneven, slippery cobblestone streets. I highly recommend wearing supportive closed-toe shoes. 3. Explore neighborhoods beyond the touristy center: Areas like Estrela, Campo de Ourique, and Príncipe Real each have their own character. Spending time in these areas can give a more authentic and affordable experience of Portugal. 4. Take advantage of weekend trips: Sintra, Cascais, and the other beaches are all close to Lisbon and are easy to access with your metro card that Absolute Internship provides for you. 5. Understand Portuguese work culture and timing: Meeting may often start a little late, lunch breaks may run a little longer than you are used to, and colleagues may like to chat and build a personal connection before getting into business.

Common mistakes to avoid

One thing I would have done differently is take more time after to walk around and explore different neighborhoods, rather than returning to the same restaurants, cafes, and terraces over and over again. I think the best way to really get to know a city is on foot, discovering new places by chance rather then sticking to what’s familiar.

What Kayla wishes they knew

Things I wish I knew before starting

One thing I wish I’d known before starting is that some places in Lisbon are cash-only or prefer cash payments, so it’s always a good idea to carry euros with you.

The hardest part

The hardest part for me was balancing everything I wanted to do while also working a full-time internship. It’s important to take care of yourself and make time to rest, while still making the effort to explore Lisbon and other parts of Portugal.

The best decision I made

The best decision I made was attending the intern mixers and talking to other students. That led to amazing friendships with people I later got to travel and explore Portugal with.

What it's actually like

A typical day

A typical day for me started at 8:00, taking the metro to work and stopping at a cafe along the way for a morning coffee. I would begin my internship at 9:30, take a lunch break from 13:00-14:00, and work until 18:30. After work, I would either head home to cook dinner before exploring parts of Lisbon with friends, or meet up with friends right after work to grab dinner and continue exploring the city together.

Topics Kayla can help with

Career DevelopmentApplication TipsWorkplace CultureInternational OpportunitiesProfessional DevelopmentDay-to-Day LifeNetworkingWork-Life BalanceInterview Prep

Questions students ask Kayla

What does a typical day in your internship actually look like?
A typical day in my internship starts at 9:30, when I review the list of tasks my manager has assigned for the day. This usually involves either creating content for social media or conducting market research to identify potential partners and generate new business opportunities through outbound leads. After lunch, we would often have meetings to review how our recent content was performing across social media platforms and how it was impacting awareness, retention, and conversion on our website. Finally, I would wrap up my day around 18:30.
How did you land your internship - what did the application process involve?
I landed my internship by first selecting Business Development as my field of interest when filling out my application on Absolute Internships’ website. From there, I had a meeting with one of the Internship Placement Managers, who asked about what I was studying, any previous work experience, and the type of company and role I was hoping to work in. Finally, I interviewed with the CEO of the company I ended up interning with, who asked questions about my studies, past experiences, and how my skills would benefit the company and the role I was interviewing for.
What skills do you wish you had before starting that you'd tell others to prepare?
If I could go back, I would tell myself to work on adaptability, since work cultures, timelines, and communication styles vary by country, and being able to adjust quickly makes the transition much easier. I would also prepare more for cross-cultural communication, learning to navigate different communication styles. Lastly, I would focus on building independence and self-management to gain the confidence and comfortability of handling my own schedule and daily logistics on my own.

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