H-Town Hosts the World

All eyes are on H-Town as a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Sports fans are traveling far and wide to attend one of the longest-running FIFA Fan Festivals in North America, located in the heart of Houston’s soccer district. There to welcome them with a smile is C. T. Bauer College of Business student Mario Garza.

Garza is proudly representing his college and city through his summer internship with Aramco, a FIFA Major Worldwide Partner. As an Aramco Americas Summer Student Public Affairs Intern, his day-to-day responsibilities range from project management to event coverage.

These days, he can be found walking around the FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston in East Downtown, engaging with the community and sharing the same positive energy of the crowd as a lifelong soccer fan.

“It’s really important that when people visit, they see the best side of Houston,” Garza said. “That starts with their experience with people like me, working at the Fan Festival.”

"It's really important that when people visit, they see the best side of Houston."

Garza's involvement in Bauer’s Program for Excellence in Selling (PES) helped him secure the internship of his dreams, he said, by strengthening his stamina and resilience needed for his Aramco role.

Garza's involvement in Bauer’s Program for Excellence in Selling (PES) helped him secure the internship of his dreams, he said, by strengthening his stamina and resilience needed for his Aramco role.

“The two are very comparable,” Garza said. “It’s all gas, no brakes, every single day. Every time I walk through that door, I’m always giving it 10 percent more.”

Garza has also learned applicable skills from the Ted Bauer Leadership Certificate Program (TBLCP).

“TBLCP has really given me insight into understanding how I can apply myself,” he said. “I’ve learned that it’s not just about doing what I’m told but looking at the situation as a whole and using my unique strengths to go the extra mile.”

“I’ve learned that it’s not just about doing what I’m told but looking at the situation as a whole and using my unique strengths to go the extra mile.”

As a first-generation student, Garza said he feels fortunate to be able to learn directly from one of the world’s leading energy companies. The team at Aramco Americas has been an invaluable asset in helping prepare him for his career, he added.

Throughout his internship, Garza has shadowed multiple different employees across the company. He said the experience has been enlightening in understanding how people with varying skill sets come together to make something as large scale as the FIFA Fan Festival.

“I worked with the graphic designer in charge and saw how he executes the overall theme across signage, set design and merchandise with consistency,” Garza said. “By talking with the project manager, I learned more about the logistical operations required to put on an event at this magnitude.”

Beyond seeing those business skills in action, the internship has allowed him an even bigger appreciation for community, seeing people from across the world come together to celebrate their love of soccer.

"Being able to share the experience in my city with so many people made it even better.”

And, he’s cheering alongside all of the spectators, too.

“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve rooted for Mexico,” Garza said. “I cheered each time they made a goal to secure a spot in the next bracket. Being able to share the experience in my city with so many people made it even better.”