CPS Students Experience Study Abroad in Portugal
August 19, 2024
The College of Professional Studies offers students the to study abroad. Through the European Innovation Academy in Porto, Portugal, CPS students are gaining hands-on entrepreneurial experience, collaborating with students from around the globe, and immersing themselves in a new culture.
Study abroad is often considered a traditional undergraduate experience for students without other life commitments. However, adult students enrolled in Villanova’s College of Professional Studies (CPS), also have opportunities to participate in diverse learning experiences, like studying abroad. Through a partnership with Villanova’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Office of Education Abroad, CPS students can participate in the European Innovation Academy, a unique study abroad program in Portugal.
European Innovation Academy (EIA) is a three-week-long multidisciplinary, multicultural summer study abroad experience that is open to all Villanova students across all six colleges, including CPS. Held at the University of Porto in Porto, Portugal, EIA is an entrepreneurship development program that brings together 500 students across 80 universities from around the world. Participating students learn from global experts in design, innovation, and venture creation how to take an idea, develop it, and turn it into a viable business.
For the past three summers, Ann Goody, the Daniel J. Hogarty, Jr. ’61 Director of Villanova’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, has led a team of Villanova students at the European Innovation Academy. “Having the opportunity to study abroad is incredibly valuable and formative for all students, regardless of age,” said Goody. “The European Innovation Academy is a really cool way for students to get a deep amount of entrepreneurial experience very quickly, with an added global perspective.”
Goody is not only the director of the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship but also a faculty member in CPS who teaches courses in the college’s Entrepreneurship major. She’s also an entrepreneur and small business owner who started, owned, and ran in-home cooking lessons for many years. “Entrepreneurship is flexible,” said Goody. “Every idea is different and complex, and experiential learning opportunities, like this study abroad program, are hard to beat. It’s the perfect fit for CPS students because they can earn three credits in three weeks, immerse themselves in another culture, connect with fellow Villanova students and students from around the world, and work tremendously hard to create a business from the ground up.”
During the program's first week, students form multidisciplinary international teams focused on various business ideas. At a problem expo, students take business ideas and find team members who have skills that could be valuable to their business and convince them to join their team. Each team must have enough members to fill an entire C-suite (CEO, CMO, CFO, CTO, and any other positions based on their business idea needs).
Once teams are formed, students attend keynote sessions featuring impressive industry and academia speakers with entrepreneurship expertise. Students spend many hours working with their teams to design and launch their businesses, receiving weekly guidance from more than 75 professional mentors, many of whom work in Silicon Valley and for companies like Google, TikTok, and Microsoft.
During the third week, teams focus on acquiring their first 300 users or customers. As a final step, they pitch their businesses to a panel of investors and venture capitalists. Judges narrow down more than 150 teams to ten finalists, who are then selected to present their businesses to an audience of more than 600 fellow students and industry experts.
Ama Jones ’23, a CPS General Studies major, attended EIA during the summer of 2023. “I am an older student but still wanted to get the full feeling of being a college student,” said Jones. “One way to do that was to take advantage of the opportunities given to me, including study abroad. It was an amazing experience and it showed us all the work that needs to be done to start a business.”
At EIA, Jones’ team built an app for senior citizens to easily give them information about services in their local area. “My team worked through cultural and language barriers to build our business together,” said Jones. “I met amazing people of all colors, shapes, sizes, and religions, and together we learned about entrepreneurship. At times, it was stressful, but we encouraged each other, and it was incredibly fulfilling. You go home feeling great about yourself and asking, ‘What else can I do?’”
With her bachelor’s degree now completed, Jones is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree through Villanova’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, while also working full-time and running her nonprofit organization, the Willie Cares Foundation. “The Willie Cares Foundation is named after my grandmother, who raised me,” said Jones. “We are focused on raising up Philadelphia youth who might not experience love, motivation, and encouragement like I did from my grandmother. Each year we fully fund prom for three deserving Philadelphia teens who otherwise could not afford to attend. To me, prom is a first step. It’s a rite of passage into adulthood that builds teens’ confidence and social skills.”
Another CPS student, Jessica Smith ‘26, an Associate of Arts degree student, also participated in EIA during the summer of 2023. “Because I am an adult student, I never thought studying abroad would be available to me,” said Smith. “The experience was amazing. Being able to study abroad for the first time was far beyond my expectations. I enjoyed immersing myself in a different culture and participating in EIA.”
Smith’s EIA team created Inquiry 4 Me, a web-based tool for timid students to submit anonymous questions directly to college professors during class lectures without raising their hands and speaking in front of classmates. “Participating on a team with students from around the world allowed me to directly see the value of diversity,” said Smith. “We all brought something different to the table and supported each other. I strengthened my leadership skills and bonded with my team and fellow Villanova classmates.”
In addition to the entrepreneurial work Villanova students complete while at EIA, Goody ensures the students also have time to experience Porto and Portuguese culture. “As a Villanova group, we meet once a week for delicious Portuguese dinners and take a weekend cultural trip together,” said Goody.
“EIA is an incredible three weeks,” added Goody. “It’s highly transformative for so many. It is the ultimate bonding and learning experience for Villanova students, it’s one of my favorite things I have ever done.”
About Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies: Founded in 2014, the College of Professional Studies (CPS) provides academically rigorous yet flexible educational pathways to high-achieving adult learners who are balancing professional and educational aspirations with life’s commitments. The CPS experience embodies Villanova’s century-long commitment to making academic excellence accessible to students at all stages of life. Students in CPS programs engage with world-class Villanova faculty including scholars and practitioners, explore innovative educational technologies and experiences, and join an influential network of passionate alumni. In addition to its industry-leading programs at the nexus of theory and practice, CPS has built a reputation for its personal approach and supportive community that empowers adult students to enrich their lives, enhance their value in the workplace, and embark on new careers.
PURSUE THE NEXT YOU™ and visit cps.villanova.edu for more information about the college, including a full list of education and program offerings.