In recent years Medellín, Colombia has entered the limelight for its rising entrepreneurship sector and innovation. Chosen to host the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in March 2016, city is buzzing with entrepreneurial energy, making it an ideal place for an entrepreneurship internship in Colombia. In Medellín, a budding professional will gain vital real-world experience in a blossoming start-up ecosystem.
There are entrepreneurship internships in Colombia available in every sector, particularly in IT. Previous entrepreneurship interns have worked in start-ups at all different stages taking on various tasks such as helping build a new brand’s image, working on business development and strategy, and assisting in pitches to raise funds. Creame and Capitalia are two of the many firms available to an entrepreneurship intern in Colombia. It’s the best way to learn first-hand what it takes to build a successful company from the ground up.
Colombia’s growing start-up community has been developed in part through the iNNpulsa public policy tool that prioritizes entrepreneurship on a national level, providing seed money and trainings to up-and-coming entrepreneurs. It’s part of the many governmental and innovations that have rejuvenated Colombia, especially Medellín.
Living in Medellín
Entrepreneurship interns in Colombia live in the safest part of innovative Medellín, which boasts a spring-like climate year-round. Interns housing is based in the upscale and secure El Poblado district. Entrepreneurship interns have the choice of either living with a Colombian family or rooming in a shared apartment with other program participants or local Colombians.
Español
Colombians are known for their clear, well-enunciated Spanish, which is great for learning the language. The entrepreneurship internships in Colombia do not require Spanish. However, those interested in learning may take optional Spanish language classes at Universidad EAFIT. The school offers classes for all levels of Spanish, located near accommodations in the El Poblado district. Learning Spanish is a good idea for a young professional looking to give their resume that extra boost. With some 405 million speakers globally, Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language in the world.
A city on the rise
With an expanding middle class and growing economy, Colombia is working to put poverty and violence behind it. The second-largest city in the country, Medellín, in particular, has seen tremendous improvements. Once one of the most dangerous cities in the world, it has been transformed into a place characterized by innovation, strong public services and safety. Homicide rates have even dipped lower than those of Washington, D.C. and New Orleans.
The Urban Land Institute recognized Medellín in 2013, naming it “innovative city of the year” thanks to its modern and well-planned public transportation systems, social innovation, infrastructure and technological investments. Tying with Santiago, Chile, the city has also been called the best Latin American city to live in, according to rankings by the consultancy Indra.
Paisa culture
Unlike Colombia’s Caribbean beach cities, Medellín sits in the Aburrá Valley, surrounded by seven hills within the Andes mountains. Locals often identify themselves as from the Medellín province of Antioquia, referring to themselves as either as Antioqueños or paisas rather than Medellínenses.
During an entrepreneurship internship in Colombia, interns will begin to understand the importance of the paisa culture. The term paisas comes from paisano, or “fellow countryman” and implies a cultural and regional identity encompassing Colombians in the states of Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío and a few towns of Tolima and Valle del Cauca. Paisas speak, dress and live in a distinct way. One example of paisa culture within Medellín’s booming metropolis is the prevalence of buying basic products from small neighborhood stores, rather than purchasing in major supermarkets.
Beautiful Medellín
An entrepreneurship intern in Colombia can rest assured that the weather in Medellín will be beautiful, no matter when their internship begins. The city has been nicknamed “the city of eternal springs” as it boasts a temperature resting between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit all year long. It’s a great city for eating outside “al fresco” and exploring the city’s numerous parks and plazas.
Along with its incredible weather and rich paisa culture, Medellín is famous for its glorious flower festival called Feria de flores, which draws in tourists from all over the world. In August, rural farmers come into the city from the province to display their intricate flower designs. Festival activities involve an antique car parade, a horse parade, and a flower float parade featuring dancers, singers and performers.
Learn about a vibrant Latin American culture while working in Medellín’s dynamic start-up community alongside businesspeople from all over the world. It’s a great way to earn real-world experience while also gaining that vital multicultural perspective. There’s too much beauty, growth and innovation in Medellín to miss out on an entrepreneurship internship in Colombia.
Apply now and boost your career!
Sources: CNN.com, Frommers, wsj.com, www.kauffman.org, Wikipedia
Photo 1. based on MEDELLÍN NOCTURNO by Iván Erre Jota, CC-by-2.0