Brooke Evans
Spanish & International Business
Internship in Argentina!
As part of my Language and International Business major at Clemson University, completing an internship abroad is a graduation requirement. The program requires students to gain at least 140 hours of professional experience in a Spanish-speaking country, allowing us to apply our language skills and business knowledge in a real-world international setting. My internship at Cofactory in Córdoba, Argentina, fulfilled this requirement, providing me with hands-on experience in global marketing, communications, and international collaboration.
What is Cofactory?
During my semester abroad, I had the amazing opportunity to intern at Cofactory in the heart of Córdoba, Argentina. Cofactory is a multidisciplinary innovation hub and the first co-working space in Córdoba, Argentina, focused on digital and industrial manufacturing. Their mission is to integrate the physical and digital worlds to foster entrepreneurship through a "phygital" ecosystem that encourages collaboration and cooperation among entrepreneurs, institutions, and businesses.
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Cofactory is also apart of the Fab City movement and works closely with the Fab Lab in Córdoba. A Fab Lab (Fabrication Laboratory) is a small-scale workshop equipped with digital manufacturing tools, that allow individuals to prototype and create innovative products. Originally developed by MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms, Fab Labs are designed to democratize access to technology, empowering people to develop practical solutions, foster entrepreneurship, and support local innovation. A Fab City is a city committed to transitioning from a linear economy to a circular economy, where products are designed, manufactured, and recycled locally.
By participating in the Fab City movement, Cofactory is helping shape Córdoba’s future as a leader in sustainable, technology-driven urban development, ensuring that the city remains at the forefront of innovation, education, and circular economy initiatives.
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My role as an intern
As a Global Communications and Marketing Intern, I played a key role in advancing the company’s global outreach and strategic communications. I translated Cofactory’s original Spanish-language brochure into English, enabling the company to effectively engage with English-speaking clients and expand its international presence. This initiative supported our efforts in pitching Cofactory’s services to major global organizations, including the British Council, the U.S. Embassy, Nvidia, and other key stakeholders beyond Latin America.
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I independently pitched a collaboration proposal to The Making Rooms in the UK, highlighting opportunities to partner on the Cultura Circular tech festival under the British Council’s support. The proposal focused on connecting the UK and Argentina’s maker and tech communities to foster sustainable, locally productive, and globally connected initiatives aligned with the festival’s Circular City Challenge theme.
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Additionally, I contributed to Cofactory’s marketing and communications efforts by capturing and curating digital content for social media and LinkedIn during events such as Tech Camp UCC, where Cofactory and other companies presented on innovation and technology. I also facilitated international partnerships by scheduling and conducting meetings with stakeholders from Fab Lab Barcelona, Fab City Scotland, GIZ (Germany), and Cisco to explore funding and collaboration opportunities. I also managed high-level outreach efforts, drafting and sending formal invitations to executives like Michael Kuhndt (CEO of CSCP) and Daniel Taras (GIZ Germany) for sustainability-focused discussions.
Furthermore, I supported funding applications by translating Cofactory’s Pitch Deck and project proposals into English and assisting in securing a $100,000 USD grant application from Cisco. Through these experiences, I strengthened my international business communication skills, cross-cultural collaboration abilities, and strategic marketing expertise.
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During my internship at Cofactory, I also actively participated in numerous networking events conducted entirely in Spanish, allowing me to enhance my language skills and engage in meaningful conversations with professionals from Argentina, Spain, Venezuela, Chile, Germany, the UK, Russia, and more. These events provided valuable opportunities to build connections, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations with individuals from diverse industries and backgrounds.
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Many of these networking gatherings took place over an asado, a traditional Argentine barbecue that serves as a social and cultural staple in Argentina. Sharing meals in this setting allowed for more informal yet impactful discussions, reinforcing the importance of relationship-building in Argentine business culture. Through these experiences, I gained firsthand insight into international business dynamics, strengthened my cross-cultural communication skills, and expanded my global professional network.
Attached below is a copy of a more detailed description of my internship in Spanish!