“Understanding how to work in an international setting and gaining experience in consulting will benefit me greatly in my future career. I plan to pursue marketing, and learning how to research different markets, conduct competitive benchmarking and analyze consumer behavior across regions will help me develop the skills needed to find success,” reflected Marisa Prock, a marketing major on the Fisher College of Business Global Consulting: Start-Up, Spain program.
The student team lived and worked in Barcelona, partnering with the CEO and COO of FlamAid, a startup that makes a handheld personal safety device.
“I made it a goal to go abroad during college in hopes of gaining a greater sense of independence. Living in a new country pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to adapt quickly, both in everyday life and in a professional internship setting, shaping how I approach challenges and unfamiliar environments,” said Prock.
For FlamAid, students created sales pitch decks, financial planning materials and researched target markets, gaining a comprehensive look at how a startup operates in an international setting.
“This experience was valuable in many ways, but what stood out to me most was discovering my love for meeting new people and building meaningful connections. Working in a professional setting with my team while learning to navigate a new city together brought us closer and made the experience even more rewarding,” Prock shared.
Outside of the office, Prock said that her most memorable moment was taking advantage of the ability to travel to the surrounding cities, delivering a full experience of Spanish culture.
“My favorite memory from my time in Barcelona was when our cohort took a day trip to Sitges. We were greeted by an amazing tour guide, had some time to spend admiring the beach and ended the day with incredible gelato.”