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<h3>What inspired you to work for <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/community-humanitarian-engineering rel="" target="_self" class="link">Community &amp; Humanitarian Engineering</a>?</h3>
<p>I have always believed that engineering should be a tool for social transformation, but after finishing university, I struggled to find a professional space where I could truly make that vision a reality. I discovered ISF-Ar just as it was emerging, and it immediately helped me build a sense of purpose. Being part of the organization since its early stages has been incredibly rewarding, as it allowed me to not only grow with the project but also to actively participate in constructing our horizontal approach to solving structural problems and favouring access to rights. It is the place where my technical background finally aligned with my commitment to improving quality of life</p>
<h3>Describe a typical day at work.</h3>
<p>My typical day is centered on general coordination, specifically leading our Water Program and providing technical support for community infrastructure projects. Most of my time is spent in a digital environment, where I focus on alignment meetings, fundraising, and remote team management to keep our operations running smoothly. However, I maintain a strong connection to the field; when required, I conduct site visits and facilitate workshops with the communities. These workshops are essential to our process, as they allow us to co-create solutions and ensure that our technical work is always grounded in the local reality and social context</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1773208865/images2/interviews/qm1Sn4coDIHPyJtdDd9k4JlupNsnwtaerTvxXm8V.jpg" alt="a group of adults working together on a construction project"><div class="caption"><p>Volunteers Enjoying a Typical Work Day</p></div></div>
<h3>Why do you do what you do?</h3>
<p>I do what I do because I firmly believe that engineering possesses a political and social dimension that can be deeply transformative if applied with empathy. Seeing the radical change in a family’s quality of life when they finally gain access to clean water after decades of neglect is a satisfaction that has no comparison. I am motivated by the challenge of professionalizing community management within the non-profit sector, proving that it is possible to work with the highest standards of technical quality even in the most vulnerable and geographically isolated contexts.</p>
<h3>What is your favorite part of your job?</h3>
<p>My favorite part is returning to a project site some time after its completion and discovering unforeseen impacts. I love finding those 'surprises'—positive social outcomes or creative ways the community has repurposed the infrastructure—that we hadn't originally contemplated in the design phase. It is a powerful reminder that our technical work is just a starting point, and that the community’s ownership is what truly drives long-term transformation.</p>
<h3>How do you use your education and international background in your current role?</h3>
<p>My academic background and international experience provide the structural framework needed to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects. Dealing with international cooperation requires a specific language and a global perspective on development goals. I apply these tools to bridge the gap between global standards and local realities. This background allows me to implement rigorous monitoring and evaluation processes while remaining sensitive to the cultural nuances of the communities we serve, ensuring that our technical solutions are both globally informed and locally sustainable</p>
<h3>What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?</h3>
<p>One of the most recurring challenges is the disconnect between the urgency of community needs and the slow pace of funding or administrative cycles. We often face extreme climate situations, such as severe droughts, that require immediate action. To overcome this, we focus on strengthening local leadership so that the communities themselves can manage resources more efficiently. We also work on "integral diagnostics" to prevent fragmented demands. Communication and transparency with all stakeholders are my main tools for managing these systemic tensions.</p>
<h3>What are some current projects you are working on?</h3>
<p>Currently, my focus is heavily centered on the Water Program and rural infrastructure. We are developing a comprehensive drought management strategy with several rural communities, moving away from isolated emergency fixes toward long-term resilience. This involves building rainwater harvesting systems and improving distribution networks. Simultaneously, I am overseeing projects that aim to strengthen community centers, ensuring they have the structural integrity and functional design needed to serve as hubs for social development and local organization</p>
<h3>What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?</h3>
<p>I would tell myself to listen much more than I speak. In the beginning, one tends to rely heavily on technical manuals and theoretical solutions, but the most valuable lessons come from sitting down with the people who live in the territory. I would advise myself to be patient with the timing of social processes, as real change is slow and depends on trust, not just engineering. Finally, I’d say: don't underestimate the power of organization; a well-organized community is more durable and effective than the strongest concrete structure you could ever build.</p>
<h3>What makes Community &amp; Humanitarian Engineering special?</h3>
<p>What defines us is our ability to combine technical engineering with a deeply human experience. We don’t just build infrastructure; we build lasting bonds between international volunteers and local communities. Our approach ensures that every participant is integrated into a supportive environment where they can learn and contribute safely. What truly sets us apart is this horizontal exchange, where the community's hospitality and the volunteers' commitment create a transformative atmosphere that goes far beyond a traditional service project.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1773208866/images2/interviews/zEHDcm6yOlbwuOQbH0RSACWKT1CZY8GPVl2IO325.jpg" alt="a group of people wearing construction safety gears gathered at a site"><div class="caption"><p>Kick-off Meeting to Begin a Regular Day of Work</p></div></div>
<h3>Why should someone choose Community &amp; Humanitarian Engineering over competitors?</h3>
<p>Choosing to work with us means joining a community where bonds often last a lifetime. We are proud of the strong, enduring relationships that develop between international volunteers and local organizations. It is very common for our volunteers to return to Argentina years later just to visit the communities they worked with, or even to start their own social actions and volunteer projects in their home countries, inspired by what they learned here. We don't just offer a one-time trip; we offer a supportive environment that guarantees technical excellence while fostering deep, personal connections that continue to flourish long after the project is finished.</p>
<h3>What makes Community &amp; Humanitarian Engineering easy to market to potential participants?</h3>
<p>Our organization stands out because it offers a "triple-win" experience: it is life-changing for the volunteer, empowering for the community, and strengthening for local organizations. What makes us particularly easy to market is our large, active base of 300 Argentine volunteers. This guarantees that international participants will be fully immersed in the local culture and working side-by-side with people who know the territory. The high level of satisfaction and the safety provided by such a robust network are clear selling points. The visible engineering results, combined with professional training in spaces for connection and genuine human bonds, make this a safe and deeply authentic professional adventure.</p>
<h3>What is Community &amp; Humanitarian Engineering's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?</h3>
<p>Our mission is to build a more just and egalitarian society through engineering projects that promote local development. We work toward this by creating high-quality training environments where both our 300 local members and international volunteers can develop skills for social impact. We actively build spaces for meeting, learning, and unity, ensuring that our technical solutions are supported by a strong sense of fellowship. By professionalizing community management and fostering international solidarity, we ensure that our mission has a multiplier effect. We don't just build infrastructure; we cultivate a new generation of professionals committed to human rights and sustainable development.</p>
<h3>What do you hope participants take away from your programs?</h3>
<p>I hope they take away much more than just a travel experience; I want them to gain practical tools for social transformation and a new perspective on how technical skills can serve human equity. We want them to return home convinced that collective organization can solve structural problems. Most importantly, I hope they carry with them the richness of the human bonds created—the deep connections with the local communities and the mutual learning that occurs when we understand that true development is always a shared journey.</p>
<h3>How do you help support participants?</h3>
<p>Our support is comprehensive and rooted in the strong network we have built over the years. From day one, we integrate participants into spaces of camaraderie and encounter so they don’t feel like visitors, but like part of a team. We provide a solid structure where local members act as permanent guides and peers, offering safety and cultural guidance. Our priority is to ensure they have an environment where they can learn and grow while feeling humanly supported and technically backed throughout their entire stay.</p>
<h3>If you could participate in one of Community &amp; Humanitarian Engineering's programs, where would you go and what would you do?</h3>
<p>I would join one of our community infrastructure projects where we work on integrating technical solutions into urban or rural environments. I would love to be involved in the participatory design phase, working side-by-side with local families and neighborhood representatives. Beyond the construction itself, I would choose to be part of the community management meetings where long-term sustainability is planned. It is in that exchange of knowledge, sharing a "mate" with the community, where you truly experience the essence of the transformation we seek.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1773208866/images2/interviews/etsgAkXCEITh7yLvatxRQRq4KoCSGAwRXYtBYiGd.jpg" alt="a group of people participating in a construction project"><div class="caption"><p>Community and Volunteers Working Together</p></div></div>
<h3>What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?</h3>
<p>Participants often ask about the tangible impact of their contribution and the safety of the project sites. We respond with transparency, showing them how their work integrates into long-term processes already established with the communities. For those with a more technical background in engineering, they often ask specific technical questions, and we gladly share our project documentation and blueprints with them. We also explain that our permanent presence in the territories and the mutual respect we’ve built over the years are their best guarantee of a safe and meaningful experience.</p>
<h3>Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?</h3>
<p>Traveling abroad for volunteering is an exercise in humility and mental openness that is essential in today’s world. It allows you to question your own perspectives and understand that there isn't just one way to solve problems. Experiencing a new culture from the inside helps break down prejudices and builds a global solidarity based on real empathy. It is an opportunity to discover that, despite geographical distances, our human challenges are shared, and that only through encounter and unity can we generate significant change on a global scale.</p>
<h3>What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?</h3>
<p>My main advice is to travel with a mindset of active listening and great openness. Going abroad, especially to vulnerable contexts, is an opportunity to broaden both your professional and human horizons. I would tell them to shed their prejudices and allow themselves to question their own ways of working. The key is understanding that the most valuable impact isn't just the physical work you leave behind, but the bridge of knowledge and respect you build with local people. It is an exchange where you provide technical skills but receive a lesson in reality and resilience.</p>
<h3>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h3>
<p>Meaningful travel is a journey that leaves a two-way footprint; it transforms both the traveler and the environment they visit. For me, it means moving from being a mere observer or a tourist to becoming an active participant in a collective process. It is a trip where success is not measured in miles covered, but in the depth of the bonds created and the ability to understand a location's structural challenges through empathy and co-responsibility.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1773208867/images2/interviews/BLmC8Zhl8bUqOG6UYpSqS8HYtrZP3MRxVSkARcjI.jpg" alt="A diverse group of people posing for a photo with a cake."><div class="caption"><p>Community Leader Surprises Volunteer with a Birthday Cake</p></div></div>
<h3>What issues do you see in the world of international education that don’t line up with your values and expectations for mutually beneficial &amp; educational relationships between providers/programs and the communities in which they are located within?</h3>
<p>The main issue I see is when the "experience" of the tourist is prioritized over the technical and social solution that the community actually needs. I do not support programs that execute quick projects just so the volunteer feels good, but which stop working after a year because there was no serious diagnosis or local participation. At ISF-Ar, we believe engineering must be responsible: if a relationship is not reciprocal or does not account for the maintenance of what is built, it isn’t education—it’s just temporary aid. We want relationships where the community is a partner in the project, not just a beneficiary.</p>
<h3>What does ethical global engagement mean to you?</h3>
<p>Ethical global engagement means recognizing that we are all part of an interconnected system and that our actions have consequences. It means working under principles of transparency, respect for local autonomy, and horizontality. It is not a one-way street of "help," but a cooperation where technical knowledge is placed at the service of local wisdom. It is about understanding that social justice has no borders and that every project must be environmentally and socially responsible.</p>


Maria Hernandez

Get to know the people behind Community & Humanitarian Engineering! Check out this GoAbroad Staff Interview with Maria Hernandez.

Maria Hernandez | Community & Humanitarian Engineering

Community & Humanitarian Engineering Staff Interview with Maria Hernandez

<h3>What inspired you to work for <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/community-humanitarian-engineering rel="" target="_self" class="link">Community &amp; Humanitarian Engineering</a>?</h3>
<p>I was inspired by the idea that engineering can be a tool for social transformation.&nbsp;</p>
<p>During my academic years, I realized that technical knowledge alone is not enough—it needs to be connected to real human needs, real communities, and real contexts. Engineering Without Borders Argentina represents that intersection: combining technical rigor with participation, human rights, and long-term sustainability.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The possibility of working alongside communities, co-designing solutions, and seeing how infrastructure can open opportunities was what truly motivated me to get involved and to stay.</p>
<h3>Describe a typical day at work.</h3>
<p>There is no fully “typical” day—and that’s part of what I enjoy.</p>
<p>Some days I’m in meetings with community leaders, volunteers, municipalities, or international partners like CHE. Other days, I’m reviewing technical plans, budgets, and project timelines. I also spend time working on fundraising proposals, institutional strategy, and team coordination.</p>
<p>Field visits are always important: being on site helps ensure that projects are progressing properly and that decisions are aligned with the community’s priorities. My role combines technical engineering work, management, and relationship-building.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1773207256/images2/interviews/ZMe1pHQJqYeXtPPxBKwi6HBbUsvpnIBSxn2mqNDi.png" alt="five men reviewing blueprints at a table"><div class="caption"><p>Conducting on-site layout and measurements with the Swiss team, working directly on the project’s engineering in the field.</p></div></div>
<h3>Why do you do what you do?</h3>
<p>Because infrastructure is not just about buildings or systems, it is about dignity, opportunity, and access.</p>
<p>In many communities, the lack of water systems, safe community spaces, or basic infrastructure limits people’s possibilities. Working to change that, in partnership with the community, is deeply meaningful.</p>
<p>I believe professionals have a responsibility to use their skills beyond private gain to contribute to building more just and resilient societies.</p>
<h3>What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?</h3>
<p>One major challenge is balancing ambition with available resources. Social projects often operate under financial constraints, while community needs are significant.</p>
<p>We overcome this through strong planning, diversified funding, partnerships, and, most importantly, community participation. When projects are co-designed and locally supported, they become more sustainable and resilient.</p>
<p>Another challenge is navigating complex social and environmental contexts. This requires patience, listening, and adaptability.</p>
<h3>What are some current projects you are working on?</h3>
<p>Currently, we lead community-based infrastructure projects across Argentina, in both rural and urban contexts.</p>
<p>In semi-arid northern regions, we implement rainwater harvesting systems that enable families to access and store safe water. These initiatives combine technical design, local training, and community participation to strengthen long-term sustainability.</p>
<p>In the Buenos Aires area, we are developing a community sports and educational center in Tigre with Libertad Eterna, and a cultural and educational center in La Boca with Asociación Civil Isauro Arancibia. Both projects are built through participatory processes to expand opportunities for children and adolescents.</p>
<p>In Córdoba, we are improving and expanding a community center that supports children and families through safer, more functional spaces.</p>
<p>We also co-designed and built a child-friendly visiting area inside a correctional facility, creating a space that protects the bond between mothers and their children.</p>
<p>Across all projects, we integrate engineering expertise with participatory design and strong local partnerships, ensuring infrastructure contributes to social inclusion and lasting impact.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1773207540/images2/interviews/Zg5OdxDYa7yr2OefD8YvFphiClnkyIqJhK40mjP1.jpg" alt="A group of people working together at a construction site."><div class="caption"><p>An Australian team collaborating on a community center project in La Plata, Buenos Aires. The group included around 10 participants.</p></div></div>
<h3>What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?</h3>
<p>I would say: listen more than you speak.</p>
<p>When working in international and community contexts, technical knowledge is important, but humility and openness are essential. Every community has knowledge, history, and strengths.<br>I would also remind myself that impact is built through long-term relationships, not quick interventions.</p>
<p>And finally, embrace uncertainty. Growth often happens outside your comfort zone.</p>
<h3>What makes Community &amp; Humanitarian Engineering special?</h3>
<p>CHE is special because it bridges international volunteers with high-impact, community-driven engineering projects. Rather than offering generic volunteer experiences, CHE partners with long-standing local organizations like ISF-Ar, ensuring that projects are technically sound, ethically structured, and embedded in real community processes.</p>
<p>Participants are not observers; they are integrated into meaningful, well-planned initiatives that combine engineering, social awareness, and intercultural exchange.</p>
<h3>Why should someone choose Community &amp; Humanitarian Engineering over competitors?</h3>
<p>CHE offers structured, ethical, and community-driven engineering experiences. Through long-term partnerships with trusted local organizations like ISF-Ar, participants engage in real, ongoing projects rather than short-term volunteer activities.</p>
<p>The focus on meaningful impact, professional growth, and intercultural learning makes CHE a strong choice for those seeking depth and responsibility in their international experience.</p>
<h3>What makes Community &amp; Humanitarian Engineering easy to market to potential participants?</h3>
<p>CHE offers a clear value proposition: real engineering projects, real community partnerships, and real impact.</p>
<p>The combination of hands-on technical work, cultural immersion, and structured support makes the experience both professionally enriching and personally transformative. Participants can clearly understand the scope of their contribution, the communities involved, and the learning outcomes they will gain.</p>
<p>Additionally, partnerships with organizations like ISF-Ar provide credibility, transparency, and measurable impact, which resonates strongly with socially conscious students and professionals.</p>
<h3>What is Community &amp; Humanitarian Engineering's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?</h3>
<p>CHE’s mission is to connect engineers, students, and other interested people with impactful humanitarian projects while promoting responsible global engagement.</p>
<p>CHE advances this mission by partnering with established local organizations, ensuring projects respond to real community needs, and providing structured placements that combine technical work, cultural awareness, and long-term sustainability.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1773207541/images2/interviews/OTBerNzlyYxCHJWgVrqum4y5GjGzrxx2qwhIsSsU.jpg" alt="A group of people working together to smooth concrete"><div class="caption"><p>Working with students from Switzerland (ETH Zürich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) in a rural community. Together, we built a school for the local community. Twenty-five students traveled from Switzerland and developed this project as their final engineering thesis. I’m the one wearing white pants.</p></div></div>
<h3>What do you hope participants take away from your programs?</h3>
<p>We hope participants leave with a deeper understanding of how engineering and social impact intersect. Beyond technical skills, we want them to gain cultural awareness, humility, and the ability to work responsibly in diverse contexts.</p>
<p>Ideally, they return home with a broader perspective on their profession and their role in society.</p>
<h3>If you could participate on one of Community &amp; Humanitarian Engineering's programs, where would you go and what would you do?</h3>
<p>I would choose a rural water project in northern Argentina not only for the technical experience, but for the opportunity to learn. Being immersed in a community facing water scarcity would challenge me to think beyond design calculations and understand the social dimension of engineering. It would be a reminder that infrastructure is ultimately about people, relationships, and shared responsibility.</p>
<h3>Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?</h3>
<p>Traveling abroad challenges assumptions and builds empathy in ways that no textbook or classroom can.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Experiencing different social realities firsthand pushes professionals to step outside their comfort zones, question their perspectives, and adapt to unfamiliar environments. It fosters global awareness, cultural sensitivity, and a deeper respect for diverse ways of thinking, living, and solving problems, qualities that are essential in today’s interconnected world.</p>
<h3>Why do you think learning a new language is important?</h3>
<p>Learning a new language is like opening a window into another way of feeling and thinking. It teaches you to listen differently, to notice nuances, to step outside your own assumptions. Even a few shared words can build trust and turn strangers into collaborators.&nbsp;</p>
<p>A new language doesn’t just expand your vocabulary, it expands your world.</p>
<h3>What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?</h3>
<p>Go with curiosity, humility, and patience. Avoid the mindset of “going to help” and instead focus on going to learn, listen, and collaborate. Prepare yourself both technically and culturally before you arrive. Take time to understand the local context, build trust, and respect community knowledge.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Real impact grows from strong relationships and shared responsibility, not from quick or symbolic actions.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1773207257/images2/interviews/eSmYjcJC92Gxx0EyKEILsMKlmMKQyHUTqiHncgRx.jpg" alt="men working together on woodworking and assembling structural elements"><div class="caption"><p>We built a vehicle bridge in a rural community in Santiago del Estero with another group of students from ETH Zürich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology). The bridge connects 500 people who were previously isolated. I’m the one wearing the blue sweater.</p></div></div>
<h3>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h3>
<p>Meaningful travel is not about consumption; it is about connection. It means engaging deeply with people, taking time to understand social and cultural contexts, and allowing the experience to challenge your assumptions and perspectives.&nbsp;</p>
<p>It involves contributing responsibly, listening with humility, and remaining open to being transformed by what you encounter along the way.</p>


Adán Levy

Get to know the people behind Community & Humanitarian Engineering! Check out this GoAbroad Staff Interview with Adán Levy.

Adán Levy | Community & Humanitarian Engineering Staff Interview

Community & Humanitarian Engineering Staff Interview with Adán Levy

<h3>What inspired you to go abroad?</h3>
<p>Aside from the overall desire to spend time abroad, my decision was actually a result of my university program requirement. In my international relations degree, I was required to either study abroad, work abroad, or complete a project abroad.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In truth, my path toward that degree was largely influenced by this international experience requirement—it just seemed like the perfect idea!</p>
<h3>Why did you choose <a title="undefined" href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/the-intern-group rel="" target="_self" class="clickTracker" rev="domainID=4&amp;refererType=1&amp;refererID=3438&amp;abbreviation=CSCT&amp;clientID=null" data-ga-client="" data-contentlink="">The Intern Group</a>?</h3>
<p>I chose to go through The Intern Group (TIG) because it was one of the organizations partnered with my university (Carleton University) that had my ideal destination. I was set on going to Spain as soon as I was accepted into my program, and once I discovered TIG had Madrid as a destination, I saw no other organization fit for me.&nbsp;</p>
<p>As for the <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/the-intern-group/programs/digital-nomad-program-187658 rel="" target="_self" class="link">Digital Nomad program</a>, I selected it because while I really wanted to go to Spain, my Spanish proficiency was not very high which might have made my in person internship more challenging. With this program, I was still able to go to Spain but work remotely for a company in English!</p>
<h3>What was your favorite part about Spain?</h3>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1773216425/images2/interviews/0iZT48plbkuiosrRRGWpVBBLCZhrCZgV9zDoeRkc.png" alt="Royal Palace of Madrid"><div class="caption"><p>Royal Palace of Madrid</p></div></div>
<p>Without a doubt, my favourite part about Madrid and Spain as a whole is the attitude towards life. Coming from Canada, I was accustomed to the "live to work" mindset. It is normalized for your life to revolve around work and your career.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In Spain, however, the opposite is true: work to live. I learned fairly quickly that the locals value their time with friends and family, and many municipal laws reflect this value—reduced work hours in the summer, more vacation time, etc.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Cafes and restaurants were busy at any time of day, any day of the week. It made me realize that there is a way to still work hard but not be confined to a job!&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What made your experience abroad extraordinary?</h3>
<p>My position within the Digital Nomad program allowed me to do incredible amounts of travel. Since I wasn't technically bound to Madrid, I had the opportunity to explore Spain, as well as other countries (France, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy) to my heart's desire.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I would spend my weekdays in Madrid, and head for a new city on the weekend. To this day, I cannot believe that was my real life at the time.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h3>
<p>The local staff was fantastic. We had two TIG staff on the ground in Madrid who often organized events for all the interns to attend together. For us in Madrid, this involved picnics in Parque El Retiro, a dinner and a Flamenco show, and day trips to neighbouring towns such as Segovia.&nbsp;</p>
<p>They also would check in with us throughout our internships to ensure all was going well, and they were sure to update us on any important information. I would further add that they were incredibly supportive during the process prior to arriving in Madrid—from helping to secure the internship to finding housing accommodations, my experience could not have been smoother.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?</h3>
<p>I wish I had spent more time in Madrid. I was there for 8 weeks, which is incredible in and of itself, but I found that only by the end of those two weeks was I feeling really comfortable with my surroundings.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Had I spent a few more weeks there, I believe I would have been able to enjoy the city and maybe even more of the country to the fullest extent!</p>
<h3>Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.</h3>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1773216426/images2/interviews/d3tz9k0wyhbyaQugJEllzICK8KmAWIPLxutgmhZS.png" alt="a woman standing in front of the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya"><div class="caption"><p>In front of the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Barcelona</p></div></div>
<p>Since I worked remotely for a company based in NYC, I worked based on their timezone, which was 6 hours ahead of Madrid. This meant I only started work at 3 pm local time.&nbsp;</p>
<p>With this context, I would wake up, make myself breakfast, and head out for a walk every morning. My walks involved trying to find a new coffee shop—this helped me explore the city! Then I would work from my apartment, usually until 8 pm (my internship supervisor was very flexible with my work arrangements), and then either make dinner or head out with friends!&nbsp;</p>
<p>What was also nice about this setup is that locals in Spain tend to have very late dinners, so I was never worried about missing out on a dinner outing—8 pm was considered early!</p>
<h3>What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?</h3>
<p>As previously mentioned, I most enjoyed walking around the city. With so much time in the morning before work, I was able to head in a new direction every day, checking out a new neighbourhood or area.&nbsp;</p>
<p>There are so many unique shops, restaurants, and cafes that not once did I feel like I was always seeing the same thing every day.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</h3>
<p>I lived in an apartment with 4 other roommates (5 total). One of the roommates was a fellow TIG intern (who is now a very close friend), and the others were young adults from other countries living in Spain.&nbsp;</p>
<p>It was a very international household with me from Canada, my TIG roommate from the US, and the others from France, Germany, and Chile!</p>
<p>What I liked most about our accommodation was its location. We were very close to the city centre, and even closer to two of the main shopping streets. We were within walking distance of all the main attractions!</p>
<h3>What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?</h3>
<p>That it will make you a better person. Having the experience and perspective of living in a completely different country with different customs and norms changes the way you perceive your life and what you think you know.&nbsp;</p>
<p>You learn so much about a new place and can bring it back with you, ultimately changing the way you look at yourself and your life back home. For me, my self-confidence grew tremendously.</p>
<h3>Would you recommend The Intern Group to others? Why?</h3>
<p>Absolutely! TIG made the process incredibly easy. All you do is give them your areas of interest, those being location and field of work, and they essentially do the rest for you.&nbsp;</p>
<p>They help secure an interview for an internship and find accommodation for you. They ensure you arrive well, and they are very involved while you are there too.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?</h3>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1773216426/images2/interviews/SaLP0kLJeuml2y0YSvwe1msP4uuwygWtNF2H3Xvq.png" alt="a woman enjoying a sunny day overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in Menton, France. "><div class="caption"><p>Menton, Frannce</p></div></div>
<p>The biggest benefit is the perspective you gain. As mentioned earlier, all countries have different norms and customs, and you grow accustomed to the one you live in. So moving to another country and having to learn their ways of being is incredibly eye-opening and refreshing.&nbsp;</p>
<p>You get to see something new and different, and even find ways to bring it back home with you.</p>
<h3>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</h3>
<p>I am significantly more confident, and I feel as though my worldview has greatly improved. I feel more at ease with not knowing something (which was all the time in Madrid), and can say that the people I met and the things I learned will stick with me forever.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In practical terms, it has also made me more interesting to others, specifically employers! It makes you stand out as a candidate to say that you worked in another country.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h3>
<p>Meaningful travel means learning, growing, and trying new things. To me, the purpose of travelling is to be somewhere new and different. So as long as I have picked up a new food, some new words, or a completely new mindset, the travel has been meaningful.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Meaningful travel also happens when it is spent with friends and family—and the new people you meet who become just that!</p>


Maria Plugatyr

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Maria Plugatyr who participated in The Intern Group program.

Maria Plugatyr | The Intern Group Alumni Interview

The Intern Group Alumni Interview with Maria Plugatyr

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