05 Feb Learning Through Communication: Inside a Collaborative Internship Abroad
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When people think about a successful internship, they often focus on the skills they gained and the tasks they completed. But in real-world work environments, the most important learning happens before the work even begins, through communication.
For Thi Mo Del Favero, a student from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, her international summer internship at IDEA Spaces showed just how powerful a collaborative culture can be. Surrounded by open conversations, shared ideas, and a strong sense of community, she experienced firsthand how communication shapes both professional growth and meaningful work.
Thi Mo in Lisbon for her summer internship
A workplace built for collaboration
Located in the heart of Lisbon, IDEA Spaces is more than a coworking space. It’s a community-driven ecosystem designed to bring people together.
Startups, freelancers, and international professionals among others work side by side, exchanging ideas and supporting one another. From the moment Thi Mo arrived, it was clear that communication was part of the company’s DNA. Conversations happened across teams, projects were built collaboratively, and interns like her were encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and contribute.
This environment set the tone for an internship rooted in connection and open collaboration.
With colleagues at IDEA Spaces
Communication in action
Thi Mo majors in Languages for Communication, Brand, and Media Management, making her internship a natural extension of her academic interests. As a Marketing and Communications Intern, she worked on projects that required constant collaboration across teams.
“This experience taught me so much, from creating content and supporting community initiatives to understanding how communication shapes brand identity in an international work setting,” Thi Mo shared in a LinkedIn post. “It was exciting to learn so much about coworking spaces and to see the team’s passion and commitment!”
Specifically, she contributed to:
Community mapping initiatives – Analyzing how members connect and exchange value within the coworking ecosystem
Market benchmarking analysis – Working with real data to support strategic decisions
Partnership development – Helping expand member benefits and strengthen external relationships
App development projects – providing feedback and suggestions to improve user experience
But her growth wasn’t limited to technical skills. As an intern abroad, her daily interactions with colleagues helped her navigate different cultures, working styles, and norms, deepening her understanding of how communication functions in an international professional setting.
Thi Mo’s support system in Lisbon also included fellow students in the internship program
At IDEA Spaces, Thi Mo benefited from a culture that made collaboration easy. Questions were welcomed, feedback was shared openly, and learning happened through active discussion and participation.
This kind of environment builds confidence, helps students adapt to new professional cultures, and strengthens communication skills that carry across industries. Thi Mo’s experience reflects what high-impact internships should look like: interns trusted as contributors, not just observers.
Mentorship that supports growth
Behind every successful internship is a strong support system.
In her LinkedIn post, Thi Mo expressed gratitude to both IDEA Spaces and Absolute Internship. She thanked her internship supervisor at IDEA Spaces for the guidance throughout the role, as well as the on-site coordinators from Absolute Internship who ensured everything ran smoothly during her stay and organized cultural activities as part of the program.
“It has been an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she wrote. “I connected with incredible people from around the world and have grown both personally and professionally.”
Having both professional mentorship and on-the-ground support really allowed her to focus on learning, contributing, and growing.
Ready for paddle boarding!
Learning beyond the office
Communication doesn’t stop at work, and neither did Thi Mo’s learning.
Outside the office, she built connections with fellow students in her international internship program. Together, they explored Lisbon, shared experiences, and learned from one another’s perspectives.
Activities like paddle boarding, group outings, and tours became opportunities to strengthen cross-cultural communication and friendships. These shared moments help students feel supported, not alone, while navigating life abroad.
More than an internship
Reflecting on her experience, Thi Mo summed it up simply: “It was everything I hoped for and more!”
Spending the summer in Lisbon is bound to be unforgettable!
Not only did her internship help her develop practical skills in marketing and communications, but it also gave her a deeper understanding of how community shapes brand identity, strengthened her confidence working in an international environment, and expanded her global network of friends and professionals.
Most importantly, she learned that communication isn’t just a simple workplace skill, it’s the core of meaningful collaboration and growth.
Her experience shows what’s possible when internships abroad are designed with people at the center. At IDEA Spaces, she wasn’t just completing tasks. She was contributing to conversations, learning through collaboration, and building connections that will shape her career long after the internship ends.
If you’re a student looking for an internship that offers real work, strong mentorship, and a collaborative international environment, Absolute Internship can help you get there.
Gain hands-on experience, develop essential communication skills, and build a global network that lasts beyond graduation. Start your journey abroad with Absolute Internship today.
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