Chicago-based company, Sage Corp. offers study abroad programs in which college students get to intern at startup companies in a foreign country.
Through creating a hands-on experience, students get out of the classroom and into the world and are given the opportunity to make beneficial contributions to their host company.
“Sage Corps fellows parachute into a foreign country, experience a rigorous professional and cultural experience building a company, and return with a robust professional network,” founder and CEO Matt Meltzer said.
Since 2013, the company has grown to over 500 alumni. Students have the opportunity to work in 13 cities across the world including Santiago, Chile; Hong Kong; Mexico City and Dublin. Internship companies are tech-based in some form, with the opportunity to work in e-commerce, AI/Robotics or a travel excursion company.
“In younger startup communities like Argentina, Hong Kong, Dublin, Colombia, and Singapore, our Fellows have incredible opportunities to make impactful contributions to their host companies,” Meltzer said.
Students have the opportunity to participate in a two week Winter session, eight week Summer session or a 12 week semester session. During an internship, participants are able to network and focus on professional development.
“Sage Corps offers its Fellows access to an incredible professional network, both in the United States and abroad,” Metzler said. “Our in-country program includes visits to venture capital funds, startup hubs, multinational corporations, and government ministries.”
Alumni of Sage Corps have gone on to work at top-notch companies such as Google, Nike, Facebook and other startups.
Jonah Sacks, a student at the University of Texas-Austin, participated in the Sydney program in 2017. Sacks worked as a marketing intern for Skippr Cash Flow, a financial technology company that provides a cash flow advisory tool to help businesses and their better manage cash flow. Sacks worked primarily on search engine optimization and video editing projects. Upon graduation, he was offered a job at CIBC in Chicago.
“Overall, this is an experience that I would do over and over if I could,” Sacks said. “I am thankful to Sage Corps and to Skippr for making all of this possible and for helping me expand my knowledge of the business world and the world as a whole.”
Sage Corps is open to students of all majors and participants come from a wide range of universities. The program tuition provides students with housing, medical insurance, weekly professional networking and social event, online skill building curriculum and academic credit. In addition, students gain access to an alumni network to connect with others who have participated in the program.
