4-week Global Industry Experience
Solve real business challenges in Madrid or Ho Chi Minh City
Want to build cultural and professional experience?
On this programme, you’ll work under the guidance of experienced mentors to complete an industry project set by a company in Madrid (Spain) or Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam).
Register your interest before 11th January 2026. Places offered on a first-come basis.
Over four weeks, you’ll engage in cultural activities and professional workshops to develop your cultural and professional understanding in Vietnam or Spain.
Programme Format:
- Group Internship
Work in groups of 2-6 under the guidance of company mentors to complete an industry project for a local business. At the end, you will present your findings, recommendations and a written playbook.
- Group Activities
Take part in cultural and industry visits, guest lectures, workshops and language classes and more.
Programme Structure
What's Included?
Group Internship
Accommodation
Orientation
Support
Skills Courses
Group Activities
Alumni Network
Application Process
We will request a refundable deposit of £200 if you’re offered a place on the programme. Only once the deposit has been paid will your place be secured.
1. REGISTER INTEREST
Fill in the form below to register your interest. Once submitted, our friendly team will be in touch and answer any questions you may have.
2. APPLICATION FORM & AGREEMENT
Once you understand the programme details, complete the full application form and we will assess your application. If awarded a place and you’re happy to proceed, just sign our agreement and pay the refundable deposit to secure your place.
3. ONBOARDING
Successful candidates will be informed of the next steps for programme onboarding following the application deadline, and supported through the necessary pre-departure steps.
Pagoda Portal
All programmes are managed on the Pagoda Portal - a digital hub for our student community. This is where you can track your progress, register for events, access skills courses, network with other participants and request additional support.
About Pagoda Projects
Pagoda Projects is a leading provider of global opportunities for universities in the UK and overseas. As part of Gradcore, we’re playing a leading role in transforming career journeys with the Unseen Group.
Programme Details
Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam
Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is the capital of Vietnam. This bustling city is the business and financial hub of Vietnam. With it’s classic French architecture, sleek skyscrapers and mixture of French, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine it’s no wonder why millions of tourists visit the capital each year.
Madrid - Spain
Known for being one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, Madrid is the heart of the country. In the city you can find a range of cultural and historical treasures such as the Royal Palace. Also known for its renaissance and contemporary art museums, sunny blue skies and unique neighbourhoods. There is an endless amount of things to do in Madrid.
Furnished Apartment Accommodation
Our expert in-country teams will source and manage your accommodation, in line with our accommodation quality policy. Our furnished apartments are all located on good transport links and in a secure area of the cities where Pagoda delivers programmes.
You will always be provided your own private bedroom.
Pre-Week 1: Orientation
Welcome and introduction: An introduction to the programme and city including aims, orientations, work culture and health and safety information,
Community building: Settle into your new home; get to know your fellow participants and team members by exploring the city, tasting local delicacies and participating in team building activities
Week 1: Kick Off
Group Internship Briefing & Seminar: An in-person meet and greet with your project mentor, outlining and clarifying the brief and required outcomes. Guidance on project planning, time management, data collection techniques and creating and presenting a playbook of research findings
Field trips: Visits to local organisations and business owners that are relevant to the participants’ project topics, sectors and local culture.
Cultural immersion: Guided tours, social events, and team-building activities to get to know others within the group and how to navigate the city.
Weeks 2-3: Project Work
Group Internship Commencement: Work on your assigned projects in groups of 2-6. Ongoing support from Pagoda staff and structured weekly checkpoints with Project Mentors
- Employability Development: Alongside your Pagoda check-ins, reflect on your learnings so far and develop employability skills further by completing the Pagoda online skills courses
Cultural immersion & Field Trips (continued): Additional cultural and professional activities will provide you with a chance to grow your network further and learn as much about the location as possible
Week 4: Deliverables
- Group Internship presentations: As a group, present your findings and receive feedback from a panel of professionals and others on the programme.
- Awards ceremony: We will celebrate our achievements at a final awards dinner
This global industry project will:
- Develop your professional experience in an international environment.
- Expand your understanding of business needs and the world of work.
- Apply your skills and knowledge to real-world industry projects.
- Increase your confidence, self-awareness, and understanding of business practices within an industry or sector.
- Improve your intercultural awareness, cross-cultural communication and collaboration skills.
- Build your professional networks and partnerships, serving as a medium for the exchange of ideas.
- Enhance your employability and career readiness in eight key areas:
Students completing the global industry project will be able to:
- Apply knowledge and skills to a workplace environment.
- Identify and help solve real problems for an international business.
- Address a genuine challenge set by an international organisation to a satisfactory standard.
- Demonstrate skills sought by employers including communication teamwork, cultural IQ, time and self-management, presentational skills and self-awareness.
- Work in a range of academic and professional environments.
- Critically reflect and report on their professional experience.
- Show knowledge and understanding of sustainable business practices in the host location.
Funding & Eligibility
The majority of the programme fee will be covered by the Cardiff GO Bursary.
Widening Participation Students
- HCMC, Vietnam – programme fee is fully funded by the bursary
- Madrid – students will need to pay £500 contribution to the programme fee
Non – Widening Participation Students
- HCMC, Vietnam – students will need to pay £250 contribution to the programme fee
- Madrid, Spain – Students will need to pay £750 contribution to the programme fee
The programme fee covers accommodation and all activities on the programme. Please note that flights, visa fees (if required) and daily spending money (food and drink) are not covered by our programme fees.
Please note that all participants will also be required to pay a £200 refundable deposit to confirm their place one the programme. Deposits are refunded at the successful end of the programme, minus any cleaning fees or additional charges.
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The university funding is open to all Undergraduate Students, with the following exceptions:
- Final year students (as they will have graduated prior to the programme end)
- Students enrolled on a Preliminary Year (year 0)
- International students undertaking a programme in their home country
- Students who have previously received, or will receive, funding for another GO programme (i.e. a year abroad). Students can usually only receive GO funding once.
Widening Participation Criteria is outlined below:
- Students in receipt of the Cardiff Bursary
- Students receiving Universal Credit
- Care Leavers / Care Experienced Students
- Students who have caring responsibilities
- Estranged Students
- Refugees and asylum seekers
Programme Testimonials
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NEXT STEPS
Expressions of interest close on 11th January 2026 and places will be offered on a first come basis
Questions about the programme activities, dates, location? Contact Pagoda below…
Questions about the eligibility criteria or funding – contact Cardiff University below…
