One Booth University College student got the opportunity of a lifetime this summer out in Portugal.

Josh Rempel had the chance to attend the European Innovation Academy (EIA) in Portugal this summer which is considered the world's largest extreme entrepreneurship program. Their mission is to educate future entrepreneurs. Rempel is the first Booth student to ever participate.

Students from all over the world come together for three weeks and start a company from the ground up, Rempel says. The hope is that the business will be running enough that students can continue with it after the program.

"First time out of the continent," Rempel said about his trip out there.

Rempel's group started a software company that designed an artificial intelligence software to help doctors give patients better diagnoses and medication.

To do this, Rempel worked with scientists, researchers, people in the medical field, and more, all who were attending EIA. His group partners came from all over the world, including Germany, Belgium and Portugal. His job was marketing, which is what he is attending Booth for.

"The main thing I learned is how different cultures are and how they work," Rempel said. "It's a learning experience."

Rempel said it was chaotic, since you only had three weeks to design and start a company from nothing, but was grateful to be part of a team.

"The best memory that I had was the third day," Rempel said. "[Our team was together and I felt] confident now knowing that I have a team together and we're moving in the right direction."

You may think Rempel has always been interested in marketing, but in high school, he actually wanted to own his own restaurant and be the cook. So after graduating, he signed up for culinary arts.

"I sucked at culinary arts," Rempel laughed. "I think I just liked the idea of cooking, but I guess it's not my strong suit."

He realized that the business side was something he could do, so he chose Booth. His future plans are much different now.

"I want to go into human resources," Rempel said. "From there, wherever life takes me I guess."

Rempel is entering his fourth and final year at Booth University College. Learn more about the school and its programs online.

*photos supplied by Josh Rempel*