Tokyo Awaits: Your Adventure Begins Now! 

<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

<h3>What inspired you to go abroad?</h3>
<p>I always wanted to travel outside of the United States, but had only been to Mexico and Canada. When I was a junior in college, I really didn't have a plan for what I was going to do when I graduated, so I decided to travel abroad with <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/adelante-abroad rel="" target="_self" class="link"><ins>Adelante Abroad</ins></a>. Putting together travel and an internship sounded like the perfect opportunity.</p>
<h3>Why did you choose your specific organization?</h3>
<p>Adelante Abroad was recommended by my university because my school only offered study abroad programs. I am so happy that they did because traveling with this company was one of the best decisions I ever made. I did an <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/adelante-abroad/programs/internships-barcelona-58480 rel="" target="_self" class="link"><ins>internship</ins></a> in social media marketing and worked with a boutique company in Barcelona. I chose this specific program because I have always had an interest in social media and really wanted to dive into the work behind it.</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1756962261/images2/interviews/sAPgkHBmSkQi5tgncudOSEQ7YzlfIDV239ChUVnv.jpg" alt="Woman with curly hair wearing a tank top sits at a balcony bar, smiling at the camera."><div class="caption"><p>Influencer event for an Internship in Barcelona</p></div></div>
<h3>What was your favorite part of your host country?</h3>
<p>This is such a difficult question because there were so many things that were my favorite. The food in Spain is to die for, and the food culture is so different from that in the United States. I also loved that everyone took public transportation. The metros were so clean, and everyone would walk to work. The architecture in Barcelona was so incredible, down every street was another building with architecture that I was blown away with.</p>
<h3>What made your experience abroad extraordinary?</h3>
<p>Adelante Abroad puts together its programs differently from any other company out there, and in the best way. My experience abroad was extraordinary because with my program, I was able to meet friends, whom I still talk with to this day, in the first couple of days while I was abroad. Adelante has the people participating in their programs go to a language school for the first 2 weeks while abroad, and that is where I met a ton of people. Not to mention some of the best Spanish language classes that I have ever taken.</p>
<h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h3>
<p>I was picked up from the airport by the staff who brought me straight to my housing. I was very nervous traveling abroad for the first time, and having airport pickup available helped me calm my nerves a ton. I was greeted by the Barcelona Program Director, who let me know when to be at the Spanish school the next day and gave me the keys to my apartment. I was given her contact information before I went abroad, just in case I needed anything.</p>
<h3>What's one thing you wish you had done differently during your time abroad?</h3>
<p>During my time abroad, I wish I had traveled every weekend. I traveled to a couple of different countries while I was there and explored Barcelona in the evenings. Traveling to other countries is so cheap and easy that I wish I had truly taken advantage of that when I was abroad. I got very familiar with the busy parts of Barcelona, but I wish I had explored more on my own to different parts of the city as well.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1756962262/images2/interviews/EAxdOXiSHDFmfk9UAgJCOeG5LdxniNC9tpE9nlGm.jpg" alt="Young woman in sunglasses stands confidently on a sunlit cobblestone street, framed by lush potted trees and historic buildings."><div class="caption"><p>Internship in Spain Travel</p></div></div>
<h3>Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.</h3>
<p>A typical day while I was abroad looked like this:</p>
<ul>
<li dir = "auto"><strong>9:00 AM </strong>Wake up and walk to a coffee shop around the corner for a croissant and espresso.</li>
<li dir = "auto"><strong>9:30 AM </strong>Get on the metro to the office</li>
<li dir = "auto"><strong>10:00 AM </strong>Start work (photoshoots, creating social media posts, influencer events)</li>
<li dir = "auto"><strong>2:00 PM </strong>Get done with work, meet up with my friends to explore the city, go shopping, and get lunch</li>
<li dir = "auto"><strong>9:00 PM</strong> Get ready for dinner</li>
<li dir = "auto"><strong>10:00 PM</strong> Dinner time</li>
<li dir = "auto"><strong>11:30 PM</strong> Get home from dinner and go to sleep</li>
</ul>
<h3>What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?</h3>
<p>Barcelona is an incredible city and very dense. During my free time on weekdays, I would visit new restaurants, go to the beach, shop at Las Ramblas, visit the historic sites of the city, watch the FIFA World Cup at different bars, and go to the gym. On the weekends, my friends and I would take day trips to surrounding cities, like taking the train to Monserrat, traveling to Seville, flying to Ibiza, and exploring the city more.</p>
<h3>What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</h3>
<p>I stayed in housing with other Adelante Abroad and international students. I loved how close this accommodation was to the metro and how fast I could get anywhere in the city I wanted. I loved that I met people around the same age as me at the accommodations and got to explore with them. I had my own room, which was really nice at the end of the day.</p>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1756962263/images2/interviews/9FEbJraTD6uSudaIsYwVnQ3mHxyqVqg4BvSvHjYx.jpg" alt="Two women smile warmly at the camera on a beach."><div class="caption"><p>Adelante Abroad Interns on the Beach in Spain</p></div></div>
<h3>What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?</h3>
<p>One thing that every future participant should know about this program is that it is okay to be nervous about new things and getting out of your comfort zone. The best way to grow professionally and personally is by pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. This program was life-changing for me, and I think it is for anyone who participates.</p>
<h3>Would you recommend your program to others? Why?</h3>
<p>I would definitely recommend this program to anyone. This program is at an affordable price (better than any other program that I researched). You will grow more as an individual by traveling by yourself. I didn't feel pressured to go on any excursions that I didn't want to. I was able to make my own schedule, and this program helped my resume so much! I eventually started my own business because of this program.</p>
<h3>What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?</h3>
<p>The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is learning about new cultures. You learn so much from visiting other countries: how the people who live there actually spend their time, how people build lasting friendships and relationships, how people value their time with one another, and how cities are so different from where you grew up.</p>
<h3>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</h3>
<p>My love for travel definitely started because of this program. I now travel more than 10 times a year just because I took the leap, got out of my comfort zone, and participated in this program. Living in Barcelona taught me to slow down and that living a fulfilling life is so much more than working a 9-5 job.</p>
<h3>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h3>
<p>Meaningful travel means spending your time wisely, away from your phone, exploring and adventuring, pushing yourself to do things that you would not usually do at home, making lasting memories, meeting new friends, falling in love, taking the risks that you usually wouldn't, learning what you like and don't like, and finding yourself along the way.</p>


Lindsey Smolen

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Lindsey Smolen who participated in Adelante Abroad program.

Lindsey Smolen | Adelante Abroad Alumni Interview

Adelante Abroad Alumni Interview with Lindsey Smolen

<h3>What inspired you to travel abroad?</h3>
<p>As a Mexican, seeing the world has always been super important to me! My dream has always been to see the world, learn from other cultures, and see how other Hispanic cultures differ from mine. I have family who travels a lot, and they always told me the importance of traveling, especially while I'm young.</p>
<p>Also, the fact that my parents only know Mexico and the United States made me want to make them proud by seeing more of the world.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images2.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1751438924/images2/interviews/4O0RFfinmRJunlutgHWFwQMvmLT6gF8Sy3RSaSnr.jpg" alt="A group of young women gathered closely together, smiling and posing for a selfie on a city street."><div class="caption"><p>With Friends</p></div></div>
<h3>Why did you choose <a title="undefined" href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/absolute-internship rel="" target="_self" class="clickTracker" rev="domainID=4&amp;refererType=1&amp;refererID=3265&amp;abbreviation=CSCT&amp;clientID=null" data-ga-client="" data-contentlink="">Absolute Internship</a>?</h3>
<p>I chose Absolute Internship because it had more inclusions for the same cost as other providers, which is definitely something to think about in terms of return on investment! I also liked the idea of working abroad rather than studying, just because I thought it would be a more valuable experience and more unique.</p>
<p>I personally never heard of anyone who interned abroad—until I did—and the American university I graduated from has a partnership with them. That helped me feel confident in trusting Absolute to handle all the logistics.</p>
<h3>What was your favorite part about Barcelona?</h3>
<p>I would say learning so much about just how different and similar Spain is to Mexico. Everyone in Barcelona and Madrid welcomed me with open arms, and I was so happy to see that vibrant energy they have, especially when it comes to living life.</p>
<p>Spaniards, especially Catalans, know how to enjoy their life, and it was something very admirable to see.</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images2.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1751438925/images2/interviews/WpTNziRBoOftH8MVPKcRZVQj8e9Kzy2Itt1dFRcD.jpg" alt="Alexandra looking over her shoulder and smiling, with trees and the clear sky in the background."><div class="caption"><p>Nature at Parc De Ciutadella</p></div></div>
<h3>What made your experience abroad extraordinary?</h3>
<p>I would say the people I met. I was able to make friends with locals and amazing friends with other Absolute Interns. I think the people definitely make a difference, as you have the opportunity to connect with others at a deeper and much faster level.</p>
<p>I still speak to the friends I made back then to this day, and I’ve even encountered a few multiple times after the program ended.</p>
<h3>How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?</h3>
<p>While I personally didn't need help during my program, I really appreciated the fact that we had program coordinators on-site with us so that if we needed anything, they could help. I also thought it was useful that they planned everything—took us on day trips, weekend trips, cultural activities, and even taught us how to use the metro!</p>
<h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?</h3>
<p>I wish I had 1) stayed longer and 2) not fallen into tourist traps in terms of restaurants and prices. Going abroad is such a special time in your life that the four weeks I stayed there felt like two. Time really does fly by when you’re living your best life, especially in another country that makes you feel like home.</p>
<p>I think it could’ve been possible had I known that going out to eat in Barcelona can be inexpensive if you know where to go. So I definitely took that experience and applied it to future visits.</p>
<h3>Describe what a typical day in your life as an intern in Spain looked like.</h3>
<p>I would wake up around 7 a.m., shower, get ready, eat breakfast, take a five-minute walk to the metro, take the L1 and then the L3 to get to work, which took about 20 minutes. My office was located on Avenida Diagonal.</p>
<p>I would then start administrative tasks in the office, work with the immigration team by supporting them on projects, and then at 6 p.m. leave to meet with friends at restaurants or hangout spots, watch the sunset, and then head back to the housing to shower and sleep.</p>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images2.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1751438925/images2/interviews/LHkyA0MV83BJosD4zA32R0JlqDXsbORWgv7Dukuo.jpg" alt="Alexandra sitting on a concrete ledge by the ocean, looking back and smiling with the sea stretching behind her under the blue sky"><div class="caption"><p>Views near W hotel</p></div></div>
<h3>What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?</h3>
<p>I loved exploring the city, going shopping, going to the beach, trying new foods, and watching the beautiful sunsets. I also remember that once we all got close enough, we decided to go on a day trip to a nearby town in Costa Brava and just hang out there.</p>
<p>I found that the more time I spent outside, the more I got to know the city.</p>
<h3>What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</h3>
<p>I had a studio apartment with its own kitchen, trash can, private bathroom, closet, TV, chair, and desk, as well as a full-size bed. Outside of that, we had laundry in the housing, which was super convenient when I needed to wash my clothes.</p>
<p>We also had a big common area where we would meet downstairs to go to other places or just chill and bond. There was also a space to eat our free breakfast. I loved that it had a pool and fob-style keys because it felt more secure. I also loved how close it was to everything.</p>
<h3>What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?</h3>
<p>I would say that the amount of time you end up staying there sounds like a long time, but with the internship and enjoying your time there, definitely take advantage of every moment. You won’t want to leave, and at the end of the day, this is a unique opportunity for you to have the best time and experience everything.</p>
<h3>Would you recommend this <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/absolute-internship/programs/intern-barcelona-154761 rel="" target="_self" class="link">internship program in Barcelona</a> to others? Why?</h3>
<p>I 100% would. This program personally changed my life. Absolute has a very personalized placement process, and the placement team makes sure to accommodate your needs based on your qualifications.</p>
<p>Aside from that, the operations team cares very much about your on-site experience, and you can feel that energy through the program coordinators and full-time staff!</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images2.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1751438926/images2/interviews/Z2zcfZY8XJXn6qM1nGn2JApBsvC2lGDJfOb3FPfZ.jpg" alt="A group of young adults sitting and posing on a staircase with buildings and a towering rock formation behind."><div class="caption"><p>Day trip to Monserrat</p></div></div>
<h3>What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?</h3>
<p>I would say that it gets you out of your bubble, making you realize things you never even considered or thought about before. It gives you the opportunity to see things from a different perspective and helps you become a better person.</p>
<p>Not only that, but when you intern abroad specifically, you grow professionally, learn about other working cultures, and work with an international and diverse team—something that you don't get every day in just any program.</p>
<h3>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</h3>
<p>When studying at university in the United States, I was preparing myself to go to law school because I wanted to become an immigration lawyer there. However, after my legal internship under the immigration department in Barcelona, I realized what I knew all along: I needed to go back to Mexico and see the world, not stay in the U.S. just because my parents and I moved there for my education.</p>
<p>I then decided to switch careers. I now specialize in global higher education and helping other students have life-changing experiences, which allows me to travel constantly!</p>
<h3>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h3>
<p>I would say it’s when you can connect with the culture, with the locals, and either 1) learn a new language if you don’t already know it, or 2) when you already speak the language—as a native Spanish speaker myself—but adapt to a different dialect.</p>
<p>To me, it’s about opening yourself up to new experiences, not closing yourself off, and making sure that you are growing personally!</p>


Alexandra Sandoval Flores

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Alexandra Sandoval Flores who participated in Absolute Internship program.

Alexandra Sandoval Flores | Absolute Internship Alumni Interview

Absolute Internship Alumni Interview with Alexandra Sandoval Flores


<h3>What inspired you to go abroad?&nbsp;</h3><p>I've always been interested in different cultures and learning about them.</p><h3>Why did you choose Atlantis?&nbsp;</h3><p>I chose Atlantis because it gives you an edge in your pursuit for medicine. It allows you to experience healthcare in different countries, and it will give you an opportunity to gain more knowledge in the field of medicine. It also gives you an opportunity to create professional relationships with doctors and surgeons. The Atlantis Fellowship is a great opportunity.</p><figure class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 50%;"><img style="" src="http://www5.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto1-karlaricapiccio-1549426184.jpg" alt="Woman sitting on wall in front of fountain"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Muchas gracias por todo</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>What was your favorite part about Spain?&nbsp;</h3><p>Burgos, Spain could easily have been my second home. The city and the people were so welcoming, and I felt comfortable and at home.&nbsp;</p><h3>What made your experience abroad unique?&nbsp;</h3><p>The doctors were so excited to teach me more about their respective fields. They helped me learn so much more than I could ever have expected.</p><h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program?&nbsp;</h3><p>The local staff were kind. They were there to listen when we were in need, and they helped us feel comfortable in Burgos.</p><h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?&nbsp;</h3><p>I wish I would have come in with more knowledgeable of biology, but it's ok that I didn&rsquo;t because the doctors I encountered were so kind and taught me so much. The doctors were definitely one of the biggest highlights of the internship.</p><h3>Describe a typical day in the life of your program.&nbsp;</h3><p>Wake up 6 a.m., eat breakfast, and be ready to leave for the hospital by 7:15 a.m. We walked to a public transportation bus and rode it to the hospital. We shadowed typically from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the rest of the day was for us to do as we please. We had group dinners and excursion events that were planned as part of the program.</p><h3>What did you enjoy doing in your free time?&nbsp;</h3><p>Being able to explore Burgos and try out the different foods they served.&nbsp;</p><h3>What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?&nbsp;</h3><p>We lived in a dormitory at a local university. The best part for me was that me and the other fellows in my group were all together in one building. We were able to interact and share our experiences with each other.</p><h3>What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?&nbsp;</h3><p>If you're going into this by yourself, don't be afraid. Be excited! Open your mind to the different people you will encounter; this will help you grow with empathy and as a person.</p><h3>Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?&nbsp;</h3><p>It's easily one of my favorite memories and experiences. Everything I have learned and experienced will help propel me to work harder in school and reach for my dreams. When i'm stuck in a rut, looking back at these memories will help motivate me to keep going.</p><h3>Would you recommend Atlantis to others? Why?&nbsp;</h3><p>Atlantis gives you an edge in your pursuit for medicine. It allows you to experience healthcare in different countries, and it will give you an opportunity to gain more knowledge in the field of medicine. It also gives you an opportunity to create professional relationships with doctors and surgeons. The Atlantis Fellowship is a great opportunity.</p>


Karla Rica Piccio

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Karla Rica Piccio who participated in Atlantis program.

Karla Rica Piccio | Atlantis Alumni Interview

Karla Rica Piccio - 2018 Program Participant


<figure class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 50%;"><img src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto1-saramuller-1527677837.jpg" style="display: inline;" alt="Woman sitting at desk with laptop"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Working as an intern in a Spa resort in Spain</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>What inspired you to go abroad?</h3><p>Since returning from this program, I have been very active in passing on everything I have learned through my experience and sharing my stories. I think one of the best ways to learn is either by direct experience or someone sharing theirs.</p><p>Sure, you can read a guide book or manual on how to travel, learn about culture, or where the top ten best parts of a city are; but the best advice always comes from someone who has been there, tried it, failed at it, or found the most amazing hidden gems along the way. I wanted to experience things on my own.</p><h3>Why did you choose to work in Spain as a beauty therapist through Instituto Hemingway?</h3><p>I choose this program for two reasons: language and low-cost. Language because I wanted to improve my Spanish, and low-cost because after some research I found this program to be the cheapest in Spain for long-term stays.</p><figure class="awesome-image left-aligned" style="width: 50%;"><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto2-saramuller-1527677876.jpg" alt="People on a ride at amusement park"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Having fun with classmates</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>What was your favorite part about Bilbao?</h3><p>I absolutely loved the atmosphere and the culture of Bilbao in northern Spain where I was for the Spanish course for some weeks. It didn’t have many tourists so I felt fully immersed in the culture. The food, culture, nightlife, shopping, and my professors were all incredible.</p><p>The location was beyond beautiful; a coastal setting, incredible waves, and greenery. I felt right at home, but at the same time I learned a lot about myself and what direction to take in my personal life.</p><h3>What made your experience abroad unique?</h3><p>The internship is awesome, I mean come on...it allows one to slowly explore the hotel and location and get paid for it. You get to meet other students from around the world and make lifelong friends.</p><p>In addition to that, the customer service that everyone receives is excellent, not to mention the attention to detail that they are known for. It was incredible completing an internship overseas in my field in a different culture and language, and, to my surprise, it worked perfectly. I am so confident on my own nowadays!!</p><h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h3><figure class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 50%;"><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto3-saramuller-1527677906.jpg" alt="Woman in front of water, bikes, and building"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Enjoying my Spanish course in Bilbao</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><p>Instituto Hemingway assisted me with the courses, the internship, how to go to Spain (I was scared about this part!), the financial process, transition into the program, and they answered just about every question that I could think of.</p><h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?</h3><p>I wanted to go to cities I had seen in the media and I worked hard with Instituto Hemingway to pick typical locations for foreigners. I was wrong!! I think it is better to go to cities for foreign tourists when I travel for fun, but when I work I want to be just another Spaniard.</p><h3>Describe a typical day in the life of your program.</h3><p>When I studied Spanish in Bilbao I woke up at 8:00 a.m., ate a quick breakfast, and got ready to take lessons from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.. Then it was siesta-- time for rest! Usually a pub crawl with my classmates happened after siesta and long nights dancing and having fun!</p><p>When I worked at the hotels, the shifts changed quite a lot but I was just dedicated to work and learning as much as possible for 8 hours a day. And then I enjoyed partying on my days off.</p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto4-saramuller-1527677938.jpg" alt="Woman on rounded red couch"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Hotel experience in Spain</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>What did you enjoy doing in your free time?</h3><p>I loved going to the beach on my lunch breaks, talking about art and politics, trying new restaurants, bar hopping, and making friends from all over the world.</p><h3>What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?</h3><p>It was in shared apartment with a single room close to school. When I started to work at the hotel I had the same standard of accommodation and no complaints at all.</p><h3>What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?</h3><p>Living in Spain in general is so easy and cheap in many ways compared to other countries. Please take advantage of every precious day and explore the area where you work or study!</p><h3>Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?</h3><p>I went from taking Spanish in high school, barely conversational, to confident and fluent. The program was fantastic! My time abroad in Spain has given me lifelong connections.</p><h3>Would you recommend your program/provider to others?</h3><p>YES, by all means!!</p>


Sara Muller

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Sara Muller who participated in Instituto Hemingway program.

Sara Muller | Instituto Hemingway Alumni Interview

Sara Muller - 2017 Program Participant


<h3>What inspired you to go abroad?</h3><p>I have always had this itch to go abroad for an extended period of time and come my Sophomore year Summer, I knew I had to get an internship. With this understanding, but my 19 year old zest, I decided to mix my passions with the pressures of an Ivy League school. I needed to travel and work. I found PINC International and it was the perfect balance of resume boost, yet fun.</p><h3>Why did you choose PINC International?</h3><p>PINC International embodied my core values when it came to work and travel. It gave me the opportunity to work at a prestigious Venture Capital firm, yet still choose how I spent my free time. Lisette, the CEO and founder, created a safe environment where I had a parental figure among a completely new continent that I explored whenever I got the chance.</p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/3-1516351810.jpg" alt="Cambodia"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Cambodia</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>What was your favorite part about Madrid?</h3><p>Being from LA, but matriculating at Columbia University in the City of New York, has given me a balance of chill, but a "hustler" mentality. Madrid was the perfect balance since everything was accessible like NYC, yet the mind set mimicked that of LA. Madrid was unapologetically Spanish, rich with tradition and culture. The big city vibes gave me a sense of safety, but the cultural aspect allowed me to leave my comfort zone in a way that gave me the opportunity to grow.</p><h3>What made your experience abroad unique?</h3><p>What made PINC unique was the fact that it was women-centric. The program focuses on professional women, which as an abroad program is not only unique, but also particular. Being the only girl out of four siblings and a Division 1 athlete, I always gravitated towards men. PINC not only showed me the strength of women and allowed me to network with ladies in the New York City area, but also created a group away from my hometown and college.</p><figure class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 50%;"><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto1-segal-1516351878.jpg" alt="Sevilla, Spain"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Sevilla, Spain</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h3><p>Lisette was available 24/7 and as stated before, served as a parental figure. We had weekly "family dinners" that served as a point to gather and be open with anything from jobs, to life itself, or even boy drama. Additionally, knowing that the moment a message was sent, it would be answered, gave a feeling of safety that is essential to being abroad.</p><h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?</h3><p>I wish I would have spoken more Spanish. At the time, I thought I took advantage of most every opportunity to practice another language, but am now seeing other opportunities that could have been utilized.</p><h3>Describe a typical day in the life of your program.</h3><p>A typical day consisted of waking up at 6:45 to go for a nice 8 mile run with my Spanish buddy, Nacho. I would then shower, get ready, eat breakfast and head to coffee with another girl from the program. I would then enjoy a nice day of work that included administrative tasks, learning new concepts, and a social lunch hour. After the day, I would either go to "family dinner" or cook something in the 15 room flat. After a nice meal, the ladies would either frequent a nightlife hotspot or enjoy some downtime in the apartment.</p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/4-1516351864.jpg" alt="Rome, Italy"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Rome, Italy</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>What did you enjoy doing in your free time?</h3><p>On my freetime, I not only enjoyed exploring and getting to know the nooks and crannies of Madrid, but also the shopping. Madrid has great leather products that are a steal compared to the US.</p><h3>What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?</h3><p>The accommodation was a big flat, which had about 15 rooms. There was a washer in-unit, a maid that came a couple times a week and a sizable common area. The apartment was situated in prime location, in the city center (Sol) and was walking distance from big tourist attractions like Mercado San Miguel and Plaza Mayor. We were able to walk to all the parties and were in close proximity to most subway lines.</p><figure class="awesome-image left-aligned" style="width: 300px;"><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto2-segal-1516351840.jpg" alt="Ibiza, Spain"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Ibiza, Spain</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?</h3><p>Every participant should know that each experience is an individual one. It definitely is what you make it. Lisette is there to provide guidance, but not to give you the answers. She treats us like the adults that we are. Take advantage of being in such a great city and also being in a city that is so accessible to any other great cities on Europe.</p><h3>Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?</h3><p>My time abroad has impacted my life to the point that after graduation I have decided to move back. I decided that my time in Madrid is not done and like NYC there are so many more things to explore and it cannot be done in merely eight weeks. PINC International was definitely a highlight of my college experience and has been an incredible speaking point on my resume.</p><h3>Would you recommend PINC International to others? Why?</h3><p>I would absolutely recommend PINC International to others because it gives you the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in a fun way. Living in a foreign country gives you perspective that not only gives you an edge when applying to future jobs, but also in life. I had so much fun, traveled to nine countries during my time on the program and afterwards. I made lifelong friends both in the program and in Spain. I feel like everybody should take advantage of such an incredible and accessible opportunity.</p>


Sydney Segal

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Sydney Segal who participated in PINC International LLC - Study abroad and international internships program.

Sydney Segal | PINC International LLC - Study abroad and inter...

Sydney Segal - 2015 Program Participant


<h3>What inspired you to go abroad?</h3><p>I was inspired to go abroad because I had previously spent three weeks studying in Ireland and the travel bug bit me. I knew I wanted to continue to explore and really wanted to immerse myself in a completely different culture for a longer period of time.</p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto1-szuba-1497410546.png" alt="Beach in Barcelona, Spain"><figcaption class="caption">Beach in Barcelona</figcaption></figure><h3>Why did you choose Global Experiences?</h3><p>I chose Global Experiences after hearing from a friend what an amazing time he had, filled with opportunities to grow as a student into a young professional. After looking further into the program, I knew Global Experiences would give me the support and opportunities I was looking for to explore what working abroad is like.</p><h3>What was your favorite part about Barcelona?</h3><p>There is no way I could pick one thing that was my favorite in beautiful Barcelona. I fell in love with the city, the culture, the people, and the food. Barcelona is special in that it has a variety of cultures and traditions. I felt comfort in meeting people from all over the world, but also learning about an entirely different language and the Catalan culture that makes Barcelona unique to any other city in Spain.&nbsp;</p><h3>What made your experience abroad unique?</h3><p>The company that I was placed with, Social Coin, made my experience much more unique and interesting. Aiming to engage citizens and employees, the company believes everyone has the potential to do good acts of kindness, and paying it forward after is how you continue your chain of kindness.&nbsp;</p><blockquote>Working with such a forward-thinking company was really inspiring and rewarding. I truly felt like I was making a difference and left feeling motivated to continue to spread their mission.</blockquote><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto2-szuba-1497410568.png" alt="International interns with local colleagues in Barcelona, Spain"><figcaption class="caption">With colleagues outside the office</figcaption></figure><h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h3><p>The Barcelona coordinator for Global Experiences, Inma, was an amazing mentor to me. She checked in often to make sure I was comfortable in the city and enjoying the opportunities I was being given in my internship. I always knew I could contact her with questions - even when I wanted suggestions for the best paella and places with free salsa lessons.&nbsp;</p><h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?&nbsp;</h3><p>I really tried to take every opportunity to put myself out there and experience the culture of Barcelona, but if I would do anything differently I would've gone to language meetups to try to advance my Spanish. It was difficult to find time for everything I wanted to do while also practicing my Spanish, but I don't regret anything because I took advantage of a lot of things that Barcelona has to offer.</p><h3>Describe a typical day in the life of your program.</h3><p>A typical day would be me taking the metro to work around 9 a.m., grabbing a croissant and cafe con leche from my favorite cafe on the way. Our office environment was very open with tables to work with other colleagues rather than separate in a cubicle setting. I would prioritize and work on whatever was needed that day, which was always different and kept things interesting.&nbsp;</p><p>We had lunch as a team everyday, typically outside if the weather permitted it. We usually wrapped things up around 6 p.m., occasionally grabbing a drink after work to relax a bit with coworkers. I really appreciated that aspect, it wasn't all work, no play; it is important to bond as a team outside of the office as well - which I think is sometimes forgotten in other companies.</p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto3-szuba-1497410591.png" alt="International interns at Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona, Spain"><figcaption class="caption">Parc de la Ciutadella</figcaption></figure><h3>What did you enjoy doing in your free time?&nbsp;</h3><p>In my free time, especially on weekends, I would try to see something I hadn't explored yet. Whether it was hiking up Tibidabo with friends, taking the train to Sitges for Carnival, or just grabbing a beer with friends down by the beach, I always tried to take advantage of free time to enjoy the city.&nbsp;</p><h3>What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;">	</span></h3><p>My accommodations were wonderful! I was in a nine person flat with people from all different programs. I chose to be in a bigger apartment so I had the opportunity to meet different people from different countries. I lived with Americans, Italians, a Mexican, a German, and a Slovakian - some only for a short time and others for the whole three months.&nbsp;</p><h3>What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?</h3><p>Keep an open mind. You get out of the experience as much as you put into it. The more open you are, the more people you will meet and the more opportunities you will have to encounter amazing, once in a lifetime experiences. It's an opportunity to learn and grow, and if you keep an open mind - you will be amazed at the things you did in a short three months.&nbsp;</p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto4-szuba-1497410613.png" alt="Park G&uuml;ell, Barcelona, Spain"><figcaption class="caption">Park G&uuml;ell</figcaption></figure><h3>Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?&nbsp;</h3><p>Being back in the States, I feel like I am back in the bubble of the U.S., which isn't a bad thing - but I know that I definitely want to travel more. I am eager to return to a place filled with culture and foreign opportunities that push me outside my comfort zone. I am graduating from college this year and want to continue to gain experience in the field, but my ultimate goal is to return to my home away from home in a year or so to find work there. I fell in love with Barcelona and the variety of culture and experiences it has to offer.</p><h3>Would you recommend Global Experiences others? Why?</h3><p>Absolutely! Global Experiences far exceeded my expectations and that is all thanks to their devoted staff. They make sure to prepare you in any way they can prior to your departure, and continue to support you throughout your time abroad. I have already recommended the program to numerous friends. It is the best way to spend time abroad while also gaining relevant work experience.</p>


Sarah Szuba

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Sarah Szuba who participated in Global Experiences program.

Sarah Szuba | Global Experiences Alumni Interview

Sarah Szuba - 2017 Program Participant

<h3>What inspired you to go abroad?</h3>
<p>The first instance when I pondered going abroad was when I was visiting friends in England. As I did a study abroad placement at a university there, returning to that city and reminiscing about that time in my life made me reflect how that learning experience taught me so much.</p>
<p>I guess what encouraged me even more to go abroad was the opportunity to both travel and get a professional experience. It was at a time when I was fresh out of university, but didn’t have a handful of experience yet to apply for a graduate role in my home city. I thought that it would be wise to gain experience on an international scale, since in the Australian job market, there’s countless graduates who are trying to land a job like myself, so I needed a competitive edge! And as I’m still quite young, I thought it would be the perfect time to do something like this.</p>
<p>Lastly, I really enjoy challenges. I find that when you are challenged is when you are bound to learn more and pick up skills efficiently. I could’ve taken the easy way by doing an internship at home (which still would’ve been very rewarding). However, I wanted to test myself in adapting to a completely different culture, trying to communicate in a non-English speaking nation, and living independently as well. Those are the other lessons you learn whilst going abroad, and ones that I’m happy I got to experience.</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1710833530/images2/interviews/UPbxWXSG7aoyLWGEQFjfwHmbg55j6Lr6tQIskUUl.png" alt="Gran Via, Madrid, Spain
"><div class="caption"><p>Gran Via! Steps away from my apartment</p></div></div>
<h3>Why did you choose The Intern Group?</h3>
<p>I chose to do an international internship through The Intern Group since it was affiliated with my home university, and in my research, it always received excellent reviews. If I was going to live and work overseas, I wanted to choose a program that had been tried and tested. It has been featured in several big-time news platforms, and I really wanted an A-grade company to entrust this experience with.</p>
<p>The Intern Group also had various locations around the world, which I thought was appealing. In the end, I applied for an internship in Madrid, Spain—because I’ve never been to Spain and I thought that it would be a drastic culture difference from what I’m used to. The Intern Group also provided many benefits that allowed me to breathe easy through the whole process, including: providing your accommodation – start to finish of your program, pick up/drop off from airport, cultural and social events with other program members, and much more than I can list. These extra services is why I decided to choose The Intern Group, and I definitely do not look back on this decision with regret.</p>
<h3>What was your favorite part about Madrid?</h3>
<p>Madrid is a vibrant city that has plenty to offer. It’s hard to pinpoint my favorite aspect of Madrid or Spain in general. If I had to choose, it would be the lively atmosphere of the city. There is always something to do! Whether it’s a midnight churros run or soaking up some culture in the Museo Del Prado, there’s bound to be something that attracts people from all walks of life. Although on my weekends, I would do short trips to other Spanish cities or neighbouring countries, I always looked forward to staying put in Madrid.</p>
<p>My favourite days would be Sunday; going to the El Rastro flea market to pick up a 3 Euro paella, then maybe to get a smoothie and walk around Puerta Del Sol, or maybe even stop by the El Cortes Ingles in Callao to see the view from the top level. Then I’d go home, spend time with my flat mates, go out again, and catch the sunset at The Temple of Debod. After I’d have another quick stop at home, then explore more to find a place to eat for dinner. Maybe even go to a dance lesson or see the performers at Puerto Del Sol afterwards. I was quite happily busy in Madrid, although the majority of my plans were spontaneous!</p>
<h3 style="text-align:justify;">What made your experience abroad unique?</h3>
<p>I believe what made my experience abroad a unique one was my attitude going into it. I didn’t want to feel like a tourist experiencing Spanish culture, I wanted to become a Madrileño or a local and fit into the culture that exists there. Although there’s nothing wrong with wanting to do touristy things or be recognised as a foreigner whilst living there, I wanted to truly make Madrid my home, and a city I could recognise inside and out.</p>
<p>I strongly feel that I tried my absolute best to learn the lifestyle there. From only knowing two phrases in Spanish: “Hello, how are you?” and “I’m sorry, I can’t understand, my Spanish is bad.” I can gladly say I left being able to talk about the weather or how to order patatas bravas and most of the fundamentals. I remember feeling secretly proud of myself when people in the elevator would talk about their day to me in Spanish after making small-talk about the weather (even if I had no idea what they would be saying, and would have to eventually break the bad news that I didn’t catch any of it).</p>
<p>More than just picking up the language, my everyday routine slowly changed as well. I was enjoying the long lunch breaks and siestas (did not help my napping habit), enjoying the night culture and staying up later than usual and doing the two-cheek kiss greeting everyday even to acquaintances (this didn't translate well when I went back home and forgot the cultural change).</p>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1710833530/images2/interviews/8COY91rrR7Tpl8OhlsvAT5VdTijIouP6thv1KraS.png" alt="International interns in Madrid, Spain
"><div class="caption"><p>The amazing interns and now lifelong friends from the Intern Madrid program</p></div></div>
<h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h3>
<p>The Intern Madrid staff were a 24/7 support system that were just a message, phone call, or email away. They answered all of my queries speedily, and to the best of their ability. From bakery suggestions to visa-related questions, they made sure all my problems were solved.</p>
<p>Furthermore, aside from their eagerness to help, they were also receptive in receiving feedback on how to improve the internship program in Madrid. If you wanted more social events in the calendar, they implemented them not too long after you spoke. When there were accommodation conflicts, they searched for better and more suitable apartments and areas for the interns. They are always open to take in suggestions, and this is why I would always commend the internship in Madrid and the Intern Group staff.</p>
<h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?</h3>
<p>If I had to do it again, the one thing I would do differently would be to do it at a different time of the year. Doing it in the summertime, I was fortunate to have many public holidays that allowed me to explore Spain and Europe. On a personal level, the summertime was great for me in seeing many of the social events and activities in the city.</p>
<p>However, if done in another season or another time of the year, I would enjoy going to more professional and career-related events when it’s in the thick of the hustle and bustle of work. Even so, I was exposed to numerous events at my workplace due to my company’s location in the Telefonica Building in Gran Via. In a level filled with start-ups, it was an amazing collaborative and creative hub for entrepreneurs.</p>
<blockquote>I am grateful to have been working there for an extended amount of time, and to be able to make valuable connections within the Madrid start-up culture.</blockquote>
<h3>Describe a typical day in the life of your program.</h3>
<p>My day would start with a five-minute walk to work through Gran Via, where I’d sometimes drop by Pans &amp; Company or Starbucks for breakfast. Then get to the office by 10 a.m., and begin working. My internship was a content marketing role – and allowed for a lot of autonomous, creative work. My supervisors, who were extremely nice and trusting, were there to guide me, but also didn’t stay behind my shoulder and left me in peace when it came down to focusing. I’d usually work on one out of several long tables on my laptop doing my tasks at hand.</p>
<p>Some days I would come into the office later, having to film some content for their social media accounts beforehand. A lot of the time, I was scheduling posts and implementing a communications strategy, so I’d be on various news outlets finding relevant and insightful articles related to the culture of my company. I’d also be writing up interviews and blog posts, or video editing. No two days were the same. There were a lot of team-meetings as well, to make sure we were achieving targets and talking about the challenges and successes of our tasks. Some of these meetings were in the form of Ping-Pong matches (an ongoing tournament I devastatingly lost).</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images2.goabroad.com/image/upload/images2/interviews/interviewphoto3-zaragoza-1495070825.png" alt="Temple of Debod, Madrid, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>Beautiful scenes from the Temple of Debod</p></div></div>
<p>At 12 p.m. it was lunch-time (quite early in the Spanish working culture), and I would often eat with my coworkers and supervisors in the lunchroom and practice my Spanish. This is the time where I felt I was a Madrileño, talking in Spanish and cultivating that close team culture I saw with other startups. A lot of the time I was saying quite peculiar things with my limited Español, but I’m glad it helped me in developing great working relationships and friendships with my team.</p>
<p>At around 5:30 p.m. I’d head home and prepare for the night festivities. I finally understood the need for siestas, as the Spanish love their nightlife and probably don’t get that necessary sleep by the time they get home. Since I lived too dangerously close to Gran Via (main shopping street, hello Primark and H&amp;M), a lot of the time I would window shop or do some grocery shopping at my local DIA. Once reaching my apartment, I’d chat with my flatmates or freshen up for later commitments.</p>
<p>By 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. I was out the door, usually heading to an event Intern Madrid had scheduled. One event was a flamenco dinner with live dancers and music. It was a good time, chatting with other interns, watching the intense Flamenco dancers (and also eyeing where their sweat landed worriedly), and chowing down on some quality Spanish tortilla. After these events, I’d usually hang out with the other interns on our own accord. I discovered an amazing ice cream and sweets place in the hip neighborhood Malasaña and was a local face there coming most nights to order a smoothie. We’d usually take our time talking and would wander around the city center on the main streets, watching buskers and other street attractions.</p>
<p>By midnight (sometimes later) my night would end and I’d be retiring home to sleep off my day at work and all the food I’d eaten (food comas occurred everyday). Each day was long and full of energy, but they’d all hold the best memories I’ve ever made.</p>
<h3>What did you enjoy doing in your free time most?</h3>
<p>I’m 100% a foodie and live my life vicariously through eating and discussing food. Aside from sightseeing the main monuments of Madrid, I’d be researching the food hotspots of Madrid. At least once a week I needed to get my churros con chocolate fix from Chocolateria San Gines.</p>
<p>One night my flatmate held a dinner at a casual restaurant/bar called Venta El Buscon, which I frequented afterwards for their patatas con tres salsas dish. I loved their customer service and made people dining there feel welcome. I remember always going there and giving high-fives to one employee who would remember to tease me about how I used to pronounce Gracias (I used to say gra-thee-ass).</p>
<p>Aside from my food addiction, in my free time I would travel. During the three months in Madrid, I was able to go to Barcelona twice, Murcia, Morocco, Denmark, and England. Flights to and from Madrid were inexpensive, and that was an opportunity I wasn’t going to pass up. In my short trips, I travelled with other interns who I befriended and it was amazing to travel with like-minded people; it was definitely a social time for me.</p>
<h3>What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?</h3>
<p>My accommodation in Madrid wasn’t five star, luxurious, or top-of-the range. However, it was very Spanish, and that is why I loved my apartment. It was a nine-bedroom (yes nine!) apartment located on a street off Gran Via. I have no complaints to this day about my apartment.</p>
<blockquote>I wanted a true, cultural experience, and living in an authentically Spanish apartment was something I appreciated very much.</blockquote>
<p>My apartment had bright green walls, a cute living area and kitchen space, and a long creaky hallway, which was usually filled with clothes drying racks. What I enjoyed most is the fact I had several flat mates and lots of social interactions. I was able to have a caring and fun second family in Madrid with people from different parts of the world, in different stages of their lives. It was a student apartment, so fortunately a cleaner would come multiple times a week to tidy the public areas. And when I’d run into them in the apartment, it was a way to practice my Español as they did not speak English well.</p>
<p>What also was a plus was the location. I was always a five to ten minute walk from everything! From my apartment window I could hear the merrymaking from Orgullo 2016 (pride parade and see all the cyclists and crowd of La Vuelta cycling event. Nothing was far from my reach, and that was the cherry on top.</p>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1710833531/images2/interviews/HQzQ1vHMlsYE5DJsDnpeDmSIapo8dl7FLcfhGxP4.png" alt="Donut at Chök the chocolate kitchen in Barcelona, Spain
"><div class="caption"><p>A bit too happy with my donut discovery at Chök the chocolate kitchen, Barcelona.</p></div></div>
<h3>What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?</h3>
<p>My words of wisdom for all participants in Intern Madrid, would be is: live local! Try your very best to adapt and appreciate the Madrid culture in order to reap an amazing experience. Few interns come to Madrid unwilling to speak Spanish and adjust their lifestyle, and this proves to have impacted their experience. Eat tapas, greet all your coworkers’ good morning, go to a salsa lesson, and get involved!</p>
<p>It is scary, living in a foreign city, where you are not fluent in the local tongue and don’t know anyone. However, Intern Madrid gives you baby steps to integrate into the city, so take those steps and get the most out of it.</p>
<h3>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</h3>
<p>It’s hard not to be impacted by such an exciting experience in your life, and going home, I definitely felt a change. Of course, I have matured. Being able to live and do things for myself, doing my own laundry, making my own food, travelling solo –has helped me to become better at this thing called “adulting.” As a young university graduate, this experience has humbled me, and I have a lot to learn and go through in order to reach success. The global workplace is evolving, and having this international internship has opened my eyes to the possibilities of where I want to head in my career path.</p>
<p>On a personal note, going abroad has taught me to be even more respectful and appreciate of other cultures. It is lovely to see cultures, such as Spanish culture, being retained and preserved well. It has taught me ways of communicating with different sorts of individuals articulately. Generally, I’m not more aware of the cultural differences between Australia and the rest of the world, and able to accept those differences.</p>
<h3>Would you recommend The Intern Group to others? Why?</h3>
<p>If you’re looking for the best of the best, apply with The Intern Group. They know how to do their jobs well, and plan an international internship that you’ll enjoy wholly. In a time of growth, they offer the most locations compared to other companies providing a similar service. The aspects of your internship which they provide and handle, such as accommodation and activities, are thoughtfully organized and laid out for you. There’s always someone to contact when in doubt, whether you’re in the pre-departure stage, in your internship location, and even after your program has ended.</p>
<p>And most importantly, they find the right role for you. They do their research, conduct visits, check the standards of each possible employer you could work with. and make sure it’s what you want and it’s at a place where you’ll learn and thrive. The standard in which The Intern Group conduct themselves is of the highest quality, and who doesn’t want a high quality service right?</p>


Arianne Zaragoza

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Arianne Zaragoza who participated in The Intern Group program.

Arianne Zaragoza | The Intern Group Alumni Interview

The Intern Group Alumni Interview with Arianne Zaragoza


<h3>What inspired you to go abroad?&nbsp;</h3><p>My passion for medicine and traveling drove me to find a program that offered both, and that's when I stumbled upon the Atlantis Project! I figured that I only have a limited amount of time before I apply to medical school, and once that is all said and done, my traveling opportunities will be significantly diminished because I will be too busy with school and work. I recognized that traveling during college would be the best opportunity to learn more about the world in which I live and how other cultures practice medicine.</p><figure class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 50%;"><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto3-franc-1493367790.jpg" alt="Medical intern with hospital staff in Spain"><figcaption class="caption">Shadowing with the ICU doc!</figcaption></figure><h3>Why did you the Atlantis Project?</h3><p>The Atlantis Project appealed to me because it was both a pre-med organization as well as a traveling organization. Sure, there are probably others similar to it; but the Atlantis Project was super communicative with my parents and I thought that throughout the whole process, from applying to being accepted to completing all of the pre-departure steps, and even after my program ended, that they were interested in my thoughts about the program and wanted my feedback on how they can improve. Atlantis project is a superiorly excellent organization overall.</p><h3>What was your favorite part about Spain? <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">	</span></h3><p>My program was three weeks long in Toledo, Spain - one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to! Cobbled streets, medieval architecture, and warm and friendly inhabitants; I could have hardly asked for more. Probably my favorite part of Toledo was the scenery in terms of the buildings, the nature, and the sunset. It was absolutely breathtaking at times and sharing it with my other Fellows made it all the more enjoyable.</p><h3>What made your experience abroad unique? <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">	</span></h3><p>Two things made my experience abroad unique: meeting new people and shadowing doctors. When I landed I was greeted by the Atlantis Project staff and the other participants. It was a very awesome experience getting to meet other people from all over America who shared the same interests as me - because of this, I quickly formed a close bond with all of the participants.&nbsp;</p><p>Furthermore, the fact that I got to observe a physician's daily practices and shadow them for all of the procedures and consultations they performed was just an extraordinary experience that I will never forget. I had a notebook that was almost completely full by the end of my trip!<br></p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto4-franc-1493367469.jpg" alt="Alcazar Building in Toledo, Spain"><figcaption class="caption">Beautiful government building at night!</figcaption></figure><h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program? <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;">	</span></h3><p>Local staff was from the host country, but they all spoke English very well and I was very humbled to see them doing everything they could, even if that meant learning a new language, to make sure that the participants had an amazing experience! Ana, our primary staff guide in Toledo, welcomed us with open arms and had care packages ready for us, so that we could be successful in the city and find everything that we might need on a local map! She was always available with questions, was very personable, and was like a big sister to us all! I miss her!<br></p><h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently? <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">	</span></h3><p>Travel on the weekends! For my program, our weekends were open (Friday to Sunday night) to do whatever we wanted as long as we were back in town for Sunday night. Many people that I knew went to different cities/countries over the weekend and that&rsquo;s something that I encourage you (pending finances) to take advantage of!</p><figure class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 50%;"><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto2-franc-1493367387.jpg" alt="Roman Cathedral in the center of Toledo, Spain"><figcaption class="caption">Roman Cathedral in the center of Toledo, Spain</figcaption></figure><h3>Describe a typical day in the life of your program. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">	</span></h3><p>7 a.m. - 8 a.m.: Wake up and have breakfast</p><p>8 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Shadow in the hospitals</p><p>2 p.m: Free time!</p><p>For me, free time consisted of swimming in the local pool, running, shopping, getting lunch with friends, exploring the city, nightlife, etc. Four days out of the week, we had complimentary dinners at a different restaurant each time provided by the Atlantis Project!</p><h3>What did you enjoy doing in your free time most? <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;">	</span></h3><p>Swimming in the local pool, running, shopping, getting lunch with friends, exploring the city, nightlife, etc. I did not want to just stay in my room no matter how tired I was because I wanted to soak up as many experiences as I could.</p><h3>What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?&nbsp;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;">	</span></h3><p>We stayed in a quaint little hostel roughly 20 minutes (by foot) away from the hospital, practically in the center of Toledo. It was highly rated by several travel and hotel companies, was clean, and always provided a delicious buffet-style breakfast in the mornings before work. The rooms varied in size and it was only two people per room, but we were hardly in the room except for to sleep so it was perfect!</p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto1-franc-1493367441.jpg" alt="Kayaking in Castilla-La-Mancha, Spain"><figcaption class="caption">Kayaking in Castilla-La-Mancha, Spain!</figcaption></figure><h3>What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program? <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">	</span></h3><p>Keep an open mind and try everything! This includes new foods and experiences! Not everyone has the opportunity to go abroad and you don&rsquo;t want to come back and regret not doing something!</p><h3>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life? <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">	</span></h3><p>In HUGE ways. Going through school and my classes, I have a renewed motivation to do my best in all of my classes so that I can graduate and apply to medical school. This experience solidified my decision to pursue medicine; every obstacle that I will ever come to face leading up to that point, I know that I can conquer it because I have a vision for my future and a firm desire to accomplish my goals - even nine months after my program ended!</p><h3>Would you recommend Atlantis Project to others? Why? <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">	</span></h3><p>Yes, yes, yes, 11/10, yes! The Atlantis Project gave me the experience of a lifetime and now I just want others to have the same experiences to help them discover what their passions are in life. If you are interested in health care and love to travel, apply now!</p>


Claudio Franc

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Claudio Franc who participated in Atlantis program.

Claudio Franc | Atlantis Alumni Interview

Claudio Franc - 2016 Program Participant

<h3>What inspired you to go abroad?</h3>
<p>What inspired me was all the previous abroad experiences! Every travel or trip that I have ever done has left me wanting to go abroad even more. This was the first one that I actually moved to another country to spend more than a month living.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images2.goabroad.com/image/upload/images2/interviews/interviewphoto1-devloo-1484880763.png" alt="Group discussion at World Work Innovation Conference in Barcelona, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>Speaking at the World Work Innovation Conference</p></div></div>
<h3>Why did you choose Global Experiences?</h3>
<p>I found Global Experiences through web searches. Then later a friend told me she had been part of the Global Experiences program and she was very happy about it. The thing that really pulled me over the line was the initial contact with Global Experiences; they were super helpful and friendly! That was, for me, a very good indicator of a good program.</p>
<h3>What was your favorite part about Barcelona?</h3>
<p>I would say living there, like really living there. Not being a tourist, but living like a local. Having your favourite places or the bakery where they know you, knowing where to go on specific days of the week to have a nice time, a good dinner, or go dancing. Another favourite part was coming into work and feeling like part of a great team working on a very special project! And don't forget the fantastic weather; I spent new year’s day on the beach!</p>
<h3>What made your experience abroad unique?</h3>
<p>The opportunities I got. Opportunities at my work, opportunities to meet wonderful people, opportunities to be part of great moments. Barcelona for me is the city where things happen. If you dive in and give it your best, you are going to have a great time.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1710839724/images2/interviews/FuQEVGMpLSJO8GuWZhIBKxprVfufbPqPi4PAvQdg.png" alt="Group of people jumping in front of a house in Barcelona, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>My team!</p></div></div>
<h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h3>
<p>Inma was the local support here in Barcelona. She was wonderful! She invited me in the beginning of my stay to have a coffee. We went over all the logistical and cultural details, what to see, what to be careful for, and such. Inma is a very enthusiastic person, so having that meeting really made me even more excited about my stay. She also visited my workplace and checked up on me, and she attended a conference where I had the opportunity to be one of the speakers.</p>
<h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?</h3>
<p>I wish I would have taken an intensive course Spanish. I worked in a company for six months and my Spanish improved a lot! But if I would have had that head start, then maybe now I would have been fluent. And I’d start earlier with searching for a place to stay! Barcelona is very busy in September.</p>
<h3>Describe a typical day in the life of your program.&nbsp;</h3>
<p>The wonderful thing was that it is hard to describe a typical day! If is was easy, then maybe it would not have been this interesting. Basically I work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (this can fluctuate though). Two days a week I can also work from home. In the evening, I meet friends and we go to have a drink, go listen to some music, go dance, or have a lot of great food!</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images2.goabroad.com/image/upload/images2/interviews/interviewphoto3-devloo-1484880884.png" alt="Coastal view in Barcelona, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>The sea on one side of Barcelona</p></div></div>
<h3>What did you enjoy doing in your free time?</h3>
<p>Meeting friends and walking around the city! Barcelona will never get boring. I am still amazed if I take a stroll around my neighbourhood (and I have been doing that for six months!). There is also great nature areas around Barcelona worth visiting.</p>
<h3>What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?</h3>
<p>My accommodation was not great. I choose to find my own accommodation instead of choosing this option within the program. Rent was ok, the location was unbelievable fantastic, but the room was very, very small. If I could return, I would look for a bigger room and maybe pay a bit more.</p>
<h3>What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?</h3>
<p>Hard to say...I think part of the fun is discovering things on your own! All the basics will be covered with your conversation with the local ambassador of the program.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1710839725/images2/interviews/m6zDhGwv3PbKlpFQpm0vpPfeonYtDvhhD3Ns4rg2.png" alt="Mountains near Barcelona, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>And the mountain on the other side!</p></div></div>
<h3>How has your time abroad impacted your life?</h3>
<p>I still have a few weeks left here, but I can take a good guess of how it impacted my life already. I'm driven to look up more of these experiences! The big, bad, scary beyond is not so scary anymore. You can make your place anywhere you like, and all obstacles on the way are possible to overcome and part of the experience. My world has opened up much more and going abroad definitely seems more feasible.</p>
<p>I think I also learned a lot about the potential of social encounters. A chance encounter in a hostel in the beginning of your semester can turn into a great friendship a few months later. Or someone you meet now, you will have the chance to work together with many years from now!</p>
<h3>Would you recommend Global Experiences to others? Why?</h3>
<p>Absolutely! They went above and beyond to get me my abroad experience! My university has stricter rules than some universities, so I was afraid I was going to need to lobby a lot and it would be an administrative nightmare! But Global Experiences did A LOT of the heavy lifting in that regard. I was very surprised that a program would take the time and effort to help you with those things. They were also always friendly, and you feel they are invested in all the interns they have in their program.</p>


Lode Devloo

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Lode Devloo who participated in Global Experiences program.

Lode Devloo | Global Experiences Alumni Interview

(CLOSED) Global Experiences Alumni Interview with Lode Devloo

Puneet Soni

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Puneet Soni who participated in IES Abroad program.

Puneet Soni | IES Abroad Alumni Interview

Puneet Soni - 2015 Program Participant


<h3><span class="s1">How did you decide to sign up for an international program?</span></h3>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">There are so many reasons I decided to apply for an international program! As a business major and in my junior year at Ohio State I knew I needed to find an internship for my last summer in school. Additionally, as a Spanish minor, I knew if I wanted to truly master the language, I needed to immerse myself in it for at least a few months while I still had the chance. As I was searching for the right opportunity for the summer, I came across a flyer in Ohio State&rsquo;s business school that was promoting global internship opportunities, and they were offering a location in Madrid! It seemed too good to be true.</span></p><div class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://cdn3.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto1-buchberger-1461735624.jpg" alt="







Visitors at El Retiro park in Madrid, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>Four of the We Find interns in front of one of the gardens in El Retiro</p></div></div>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">After talking with my mom, I committed to the program later that very week. In addition to the practical academic and professional opportunities this international program afforded me, I decided to apply for an international program because I craved the chance to widen my perspective, experience a new way of life, and challenge myself in a way I never had before. I knew that living abroad would not only give me incredible memories and stories that I would cherish for the rest of my life, but it would help me to experience life outside my Ohio bubble.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Born in Cincinnati, I had moved only two hours away to come to school at Ohio State. Living in Madrid meant communicating in a different language, navigating a new country, and learning to assimilate to a culture so completely different than my own. I valued the opportunity to become a global citizen, and experience adventures and trials that would prove to myself just how capable I truly am. The personal growth that I gained from an international program was just as beneficial as the professional growth.</span></p>
<h3><span class="s1">Why did you choose We Find Group in particular?</span></h3>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1">	</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">I chose the We Find Group global internship program because it gave me the opportunity to go abroad, and still gain valuable corporate experience. So many of the programs to go abroad I had found offered amazing class or volunteer options, but We Find Group is unique because it places students with businesses.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">I was lucky enough to not only find work within the field of human resources (which is the business specialization I&rsquo;m pursuing a career in), but also in the industry that I am most interested in: fashion retail and textiles. This internship program was an amazing chance to both see the world and learn what it is like to work in a multi-national corporation. I feel so fortunate to have found an opportunity that blended so many of my passions together in an experience that also helped me to grow so much professionally!</span></p>
<h3><span class="s1">What was your favorite part about Madrid?</span></h3>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">It&rsquo;s hard to pick a single favorite part about the location, because what&rsquo;s not to love about Madrid? The tapas are amazing- especially the<i> tortilla de espa&ntilde;a</i>. The music is lively and upbeat. The language is beautiful. But I think if I had to pick one part, my favorite would be just living in a city that was teeming with life at all hours of the day.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">I constantly thought of an F. Scott Fitzgerald quote, that poetically states, &ldquo;I want to go places and see people. I want my mind to grow. I want to live where things happen on a big scale.&rdquo; It was surreal to live in a place that was just that. There was an infinite newness to Madrid &ndash; I think I could live there the rest of my life and never explore all the cafes, rooftops, and parks. The streets are always packed with people rollerblading and playing guitar, you can watch street performers at all hours of the night; you can attend a Real Madrid game, flamenco show, or outdoor movie. And, of course, Madrid is well connected to the rest of Europe- only a quick plane or train ride away from anywhere you&rsquo;d want to go. Essentially, I loved that Madrid is full of life, and never-ending opportunities to experience something new.</span></p><div class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="width: 100%;" src="http://cdn4.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto2-buchberger-1461735650.jpg" alt="







Sunset on the Gran Via in Madrid, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>A beautiful Spanish sunset and the view of Gran Via, one block away from my apartment!</p></div></div>
<h3><span class="s1">What makes interning abroad with We Find Group special?</span></h3>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">While I was searching for opportunities abroad, I came across tons of amazing programs for both volunteering and taking classes, but there aren&rsquo;t many options for students that are looking to gain work experience. Especially looking for a corporate job; it&rsquo;s tough enough to make those connections and accept a position in America, let alone in a foreign country! The We Find program has done a great job networking with businesses to offer a variety of options to students looking to work and gain experience in an international setting. I accepted a position in human resources, my field of study, as well as within the industry I was most interested in exploring, fashion retail.</span></p>
<blockquote><span class="s1">The experience was so valuable in shaping my future career aspirations, teaching me valuable lessons about the operations of a multinational corporation, and challenging me to grow outside my comfort zone.</span></blockquote>
<h3><span class="s1">How did the staff at We Find Group support you throughout your time in Spain?</span></h3>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The local staff with We Find Group was amazing! I was unfortunately very sick my first two days in country. I contacted the We Find Group staff for help, and just a short while later they were ready to drive me to the nearest hospital. Not only did they give me a ride, they also stayed with me the full time I was there. We had an orientation dinner that night at a new restaurant downtown, and they waited for me to make sure I had the chance to join the other interns!</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">A resident director lived with the interns at the apartments, and she was always available and willing to give us recommendations of fun, new places to go, or where the closest grocery stores were, or assist with any problems one might have at work. The We Find Group staff members also started offering Spanish lessons for the interns once a week, at either a beginner or advanced level, to allow those of us interested to have a formal opportunity to practice improving our language skills.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The full We Find Group staff worked very hard to ensure we all had as smooth of a transition as possible to our various offices, even paying personal visits to each of us to check in with both the interns and our bosses on how things were progressing. As the our time was ending, Carlota, the CEO of We Find Group, ensured we all received personalized feedback on our performance, and has stayed in contact with us all and been more than willing to continue to be a resource to the interns once we returned to Ohio.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Beyond professional responsibilities, the We Find Group staff also organized two weekend trips for all of the interns to take together: one to Pamplona, Spain, for the San Ferm&iacute;n festival (also known as the running of the bulls), and the second, a camping and surfing trip to Santander. We Find Group did a wonderful job helping us all feel accustomed to Madrid and closer with one another, so by the time we left, we felt as though we had found a second home. This would never have been possible without all the assistance and guidance from the We Find Group staff!</span></p><div class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 350px;"><img style="" src="http://cdn4.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto4-buchberger-1461735689.jpg" alt="







Interns in Madrid, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>Ashley and I outside of Inditex on our last day at work!</p></div></div>
<h3><span class="s1">What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?</span></h3>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1">	</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The first week in-country, most of the interns were eager to plan their weekend trips to different cities. With so many different ideas flying around, and considering the fact that traveling between European countries is relatively cheap and easy, I soon found that I had committed to traveling every weekend we had, except for the very first one. While these trips were a blast and provided a ton of variety in the experiences I was having, after the first month of the program, I felt as though all I had the chance to do thus far in Madrid was go to work and explore the surrounding area of my apartment!</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Because I hadn&rsquo;t saved very much of my free time to explore the city I was living in, I had to start being very intentional with my time after and before work, making sure I got to see everything on my bucket list, saving some time to just wander be lost. Madrid itself was such an incredible place to be; while being able to travel so easily was an incredible experience, I wish I had saved more down time for myself on the weekends to relax and explore the city I was lucky enough to call home.</span></p>
<h3><span class="s1">Describe your average day as a intern in Madrid.</span></h3>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Most mornings, I would wake up and head outside before work around 7:30 a.m.I loved being able to spend some time outside before being in the office all day, and Spain has strange working hours. No one arrived at work until 9 a.m. or 9:30 a.m., so you had some extra time in the mornings! Everything seems to operate on a delayed schedule compared to our tightly-scheduled American cultures and lives.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">So I would go for a quick run in the biggest park in Madird, El Retiro, or grab a <i>caf&eacute; con leche</i>, and head home to shower and make a Spanish breakfast &ndash; <i>tostado con mermelada</i>. Ashley, my roommate and an intern at the same company, and I would head out to catch the metro around 8:40. We would walk one block to the main plaza, <i>Sol,</i> where we would catch the <i>Cercanias,</i> or the fast train, and be at the stop for our office only four minutes later!</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The street that our office was on ran right into the heart of the downtown business district of Madrid, and was absolutely beautiful: wide, clean streets, all white buildings, a lot of green space, and tons of surrounding shopping and restaurants. Ashley and I would come into the modern, brightly-lit, all-glass and hardwood Inditex office every morning and exchange dozens of &ldquo;<i>&iexcl;Buen Dia!</i>&rdquo;&rsquo;s before grabbing the most recent stack of applications and getting to work.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Because we worked in the Talent Acquisition center, every morning, we would spend most of our time reviewing applications that Inditex had received. It was busy season for hiring, as the company needed to fill tons of sales associate and managerial positions for summer sales, and we would process hundreds of applications a day. We would shadow a group interview before lunch, and head down to eat between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. with the other interns, all students at universities in Spain.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">After lunch, Ashley and I would work together on various projects, the main one being a project targeting the recruitment of university students in Spain. We actually developed an idea that was implemented on campuses across the country that fall! Because we started later, we also worked later, so we would head home for dinner or go out with our co-workers between 6 and 6:30 p.m.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">After dinner, the interns would all normally look for something fun to do to explore the city, like see an outdoor movie, stop by a flamenco show, or check out a local hot spot like <i>Casa Hernanz</i>. The streets would stay packed much later, since everything opened much later in the morning. It was great to feel independent by day as we split off to our respective jobs, but come home to a big group of students equally as excited to spend their free time finding new adventures and trying new things.</span></p>
<h3><span class="s1">What was your favorite activity outside the normal day-to-day schedule of your program?</span></h3>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Outside my normal schedule, my favorite activity was getting to know my co-workers. It was incredible to experience so many cultural differences with the other interns I lived and traveled with, but by the end of the trip, what really made Madrid feel like home was the friendships I had developed and the connections I had made with the people I met in Spain.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Through working on various projects together, sitting side by side at our computers, and taking lunch breaks together, we shared laughs helping each other through language barriers and truly got to know one another. The last month of our internship, we even started a tradition of exploring a new restaurant every Wednesday after work. Belen, one of the only interns that had lived in Madrid her whole life, knew tons of unique places to go. We visited rooftop patios, a basement bakery that was beach-themed and had sand all over the floor (not to mention the best cheesecake I&rsquo;ve ever had), and grocery stores that had beautiful views of Gran Via, the most famous street in Madrid.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">While it was incredibly sad to say goodbyes on the last day in the office, it was also rewarding to see how close of friendships we had made in a few short months. I&rsquo;m thankful for how easy apps and websites like Facebook and Groupme make keeping in touch, and hope to return in the future and be able to see them all again!</span></p>
<h3><span class="s1">How was your accommodation in Madrid? What did you like best about it?</span></h3>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">For accommodations, all of the interns lived together in apartments in the middle of the city. The apartment complex was a four-story walk up with a heavy, beautiful wooden door, and there were between four and six interns per apartment. The interior was modern and well kept, including wood floors, a loft, a dishwasher, retro refrigerators, and a bathroom for each bedroom that was shared by two or three people. Each room also had some type of exterior space &ndash; even if it was just large sliding doors that opened to a small balcony to hang-dry clothes on and get some fresh air.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The best part about the accommodations, though, was the location. The central plaza in Madrid is called Sol, and we were a mere one-block walk away. This is where most of us would catch the metro in the morning, under a shiny, abstract glass dome, to make it into our offices. All the streets around us were constantly buzzing with people. I loved stopping at the caf&eacute; across the street from our apartment that served <i>churros con chocolate </i>after work on Fridays! Additionally, because we were located so centrally, many of Madrid&rsquo;s must-see attractions were less than a 15-minute walk away, in one direction or another. There was never a shortage of fun options to explore after work and on the weekends, and we were conveniently located to be able to access it all!</span></p><div class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://cdn2.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto3-buchberger-1461735719.jpg" alt="







Stadium in Pamplona, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>The inside of the stadium in Pamplona, where everyone dressed in red and white ends their run with the bulls during the San Fermin festival</p></div></div>
<h3><span class="s1">How has your internship abroad with We Find Group left a lasting impact on you personally and professionally?</span></h3>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Now that I&rsquo;m home, I am so thankful for not only the fun memories and professional growth that this program gave me, but for the continued inspiration it left me with for my future goals and aspirations. The work experience I gained abroad definitely sparked a vision for my future to continue gaining valuable work experience, and eventually to open up a social enterprise of my own one day, to tackle some of the problems you would never even know exist in the world if you haven&rsquo;t left your hometown comfort zone.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Additionally, I look back with so much gratitude for the experiences I had, and am always reminded of how much beauty remains in the world. Some of my favorite memories are the simplest of moments that happened abroad, that just remind you how big and beautiful the world is, how small you and your problems are, and to be grateful for everything around you. Lastly, being exposed to new perspectives, ways of living, and types of people really encourages you to find and live truly to yourself.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">I am more confident in myself now, in what I am capable of, what I hope to accomplish in the future, and in what I value most. The time I spent abroad was not only a blast, but is also potentially the most impactful and transformative experience I had during my time in college.</span></p>


Jessica Buchberger

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Jessica Buchberger who participated in The Global Internship by We Find Group program.

Jessica Buchberger | The Global Internship by We Find Group

Jessica Buchberger - 2015 Program Participant


<p class="p1"><span class="s1"></span></p><div class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://cdn1.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto2-winkler-1456823212.png" alt="







The inside of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy"><div class="caption"><p>Colosseum!</p></div></div><h3>Why did you decide to apply for an international program?</h3><p></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I wanted to study abroad all throughout school, but being on the board for several organizations as well as an athlete, I didn't want to abandon those. A friend did a program over a summer in London, but I had always wanted to go to Spain. I decided upon graduation that I would work and save up some money, and then why not get some international experience, enhance my Spanish, and live something not many people get to do, before I tried to land my first job.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">Why did you choose Adelante Abroad?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I decided upon Adelante Abroad because of the price tag as well as the location. Like I mentioned before, Spain always attracted me. I originally looked at Spain and South Africa, and nearly chose South Africa. Adelante provided housing and Spain was close to everywhere else in Europe, which allowed for some traveling. Adelante was vastly cheaper than other options, and though the program was maybe a bit stripped down compared to others (I'm assuming this, I don't know how other programs are or what they offer in terms of excursions), the included Spanish classes and housing already set was big.</span></p><div class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 300px;"><img style="" src="http://cdn2.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto1-winkler-1456823245.png" alt="







Eiffel Tower at night in Paris, France"><div class="caption"><p>Eiffel Tower at night</p></div></div><h3><span class="s1">What was your favorite part about Barcelona?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Barcelona is right on the Mediterranean. As someone from the Midwest (Wisconsin), I don't get that luxury, and wanted to be able to take advantage of it. I left Barcelona December 17th with temperatures in the mid 60s, and I got back to Wisconsin where it was mid 20s.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">What components of your program made it unique?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Spanish class was included; we had two weeks of courses for 20 hours a week. I was able to meet some other interns as well as other students from around the world at the language school. I was in a great apartment close to <i>Sagrada Familia</i>, and restaurants, stores, bars, etc.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">How did local staff support you throughout your program?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I was more independent in this journey, and that is part of Adelante's view I think. However, if there are any problems, they are a call/email/message away. For me, I ran into trouble with my original internship. Some documents got mixed up beforehand, apparently, and I received the wrong work briefing (a "memo of understanding"). I went into work thinking I was doing something completely different than what I was. I notified the staff and they worked with me to find a different internship.</span></p><div class="awesome-image left-aligned" style="width: 300px;"><img style="" src="http://cdn3.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto3-winkler-1456823273.png" alt="







A view of Barcelona, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>View of Barcelona from The Bunkers (my favorite place)</p></div></div><h3><span class="s1">What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">After the second week of Spanish class was done, I wish I would have purchased more. My roommate found another school (Speakeasy BCN) for two months, and he really progressed in the language. I relied on the DuoLingo app and talking to a Spanish girl that I had met. I also wish I had been there for a month in the summer; I hear it is a great time, even in August when a lot of people are off.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">Describe a day in the life of your program.</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">When I first arrived, I&rsquo;d have Spanish class 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., grab a quick bite to eat and a drink, and then hit the beach or explore around the city. During the first internship period I&rsquo;d sleep in, eat a late breakfast, and go to work at 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. or 6 p.m., leave and go home, make dinner, and hang out around the apartment, but during the second internship period, I&rsquo;d work 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., head back to the apartment, eat or hit up a cafe somewhere, go to the gym, walk around the city, and hang out with friends.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">What was your favorite thing to do on your free time?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">My favorite thing to do was anything that the city offered. There was so much to do that I was never really bored. I highly enjoyed The Bunkers, the beach, the clubs and bars, among others. I was able to get a gym trial for a few weeks, where I went with a German kid that I met. My favorite activity, however, had to have been spending time with the people that I met. My roommate, other interns, other study abroad students, and a girl made my time there pass way too quickly.</span></p><div class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 300px;"><img style="" src="http://cdn1.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto4-winkler-1456823175.png" alt="







Man sitting on a coconut tree in the Caribbean"><div class="caption"><p>Caribbean</p></div></div><h3><span class="s1">What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I had an apartment, but it was essentially a homestay because the owner of the apartment lived there; she (Luisa) was an older Spanish woman. I had one roommate from Georgia on the same program and one from Bulgaria who was studying in England and doing a year internship in Spain on a different program than me; we each had our own bedroom. As common in Spain, there was not a clothes dryer and we didn't have a TV, unlike some others, but I did not miss it at all. Luisa did all the laundry for everyone and even cooked us meals at times.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">We were so close to Sagrada Familia; there were so many cafes, bars, and restaurants around the place. Two metro stops and we were within five minutes walking distance, along with bus stops even closer. The location was not in the city center, but it did not matter much at all!</span></p><h3><span class="s1">Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</span></h3><p>















































</p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I have a desire to continue to learn Spanish. I also am strongly considering getting certified to teach English, which, combined with learning Spanish, will give me the opportunity to return to Spain (or elsewhere!) and teach for a job, and possibly even get a marketing job there as well versus an internship. I hope that this experience will be beneficial in my interviews here in the States and in my near future. I am trying to keep in touch with the people that I met over there, and if I do not go back to work there, I would still like to visit! So many people have asked me about my experience and I reflect on my time there constantly; I am constantly asking myself if I should go back. Regardless, I need to make some money here first.</span></p>


Cody Winkler

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Cody Winkler who participated in Adelante Abroad program.

Cody Winkler | Adelante Abroad Alumni Interview

Cody Winkler - 2015 Program Participant


<h3><span class="s1">What inspired you to go abroad?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I had just graduated from college and my life wasn't progressing according to plan. There were plenty of interviews, but no offers. Instead of seeing my situation as a setback, I decided to make it into an opportunity. No school, no husband, no kids, no mortgage, no "requesting off" of work. If any time was more perfect to go abroad for a few months I wasn't going to wait around for it!</span></p><div class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://cdn4.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto3-lopez-1456304280.jpg" alt="







Study abroad students at Holi Festival in Barcelona, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>Holi Festival, Barcelona, Spain</p></div></div><h3><span class="s1">Why did you choose Global Experiences?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">After four and half years in college, I needed a break from higher education. My resume needed a little attention as well. I decided I wanted to intern abroad! And what's the first thing anyone does when we need more information in this day and age? That's right, I googled "internships abroad". Global Experiences (GE) was the first company I came across that didn't seem like a complete scam. The inclusions were also one of the major reasons I picked GE. I knew there would be nothing to worry about once I reached Spain!</span></p><h3><span class="s1">What was your favorite part about Barcelona?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">My favorite thing about Barcelona was there was always something to do! Any day of the week we could go to a festival, concert, or amazing dinner. Everything was surprisingly affordable, as well. Three course meal and a bottle of wine? Count me in!</span></p><div class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 300px;"><img style="" src="http://cdn4.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto1-lopez-1456304363.jpg" alt="







Girls attending Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany"><div class="caption"><p>Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany</p></div></div><h3><span class="s1">What made your program experience unique?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">What makes GE unique is their commitment to cultural immersion. Instead of living in a dorm or a hoste,l your neighbors and coworkers are native Spaniards. But don't worry, GE doesn't just drop participants in a foreign country to sink or swim. You will learn the language and the customs and if you have any problems or questions there are a local coordinator is there to help. Even though you are independent and treated like an adult, you will never truly be alone.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">How did local staff support you throughout your program?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Our onsite coordinator was definitely one of the reasons I chose GE. As she was a Barcelona citizen, she was there to help out with any issue or question I had about living in Spain. Finding a plunger in a foreign country is harder than you think&hellip;</span></p><h3><span class="s1">What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I wish I would have brought more things from home! There are so many little things I didn't bring because I figured I would just buy them there. However, there's no "one stop shop," like Target or Walgreen's, around the corner. Each little shop is specialized and all over town! Also, I knew I was going to be working in Germany for a few weeks. I could have saved a TON of money if I had bought a Spanish and German sim card at the same time.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">Describe a day in the life of your program.</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">On a typical work day I'd roll out of bed and try to look as trendy as possible with my limited wardrobe I brought from home (thanks Delta and your one bag limit). Everyone in Barcelona knows how to dress, so not accessorizing immediately pegs you as a tourist. Scarves, scarves, and more scarves.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The metro station was a convenient block and a half from my apartment and took me right the plaza by work with only one transfer. Around 1 p.m. (or 13:00 in Europe) a group of us would go get lunch during our hour break and then it was back to work until 5 p.m. After work I would head home and relax for a little while before meeting up with my friends to get dinner.</span></p><div class="awesome-image left-aligned" style="width: 350px;"><img style="" src="http://cdn3.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto2-lopez-1456304333.jpg" alt="







Girl wearing traditional dress in Chefchaouen, Morocco"><div class="caption"><p>Chefchaouen, Morocco</p></div></div><h3><span class="s1">What was your favorite thing ito do on your free time?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">One of my favorite things, outside of my internship, was the ability to travel. Flying is so much easier and cheaper in Europe, and it was great to take those opportunities to see everything from Oktoberfest to coastal villages, as well as sunny islands and Islamic culture.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">My favorite part of everyday was coming home and unlocking the front gate of my Barcelona apartment. It was then I felt most like a citizen, a Barcelonan, and not just a tourist or Erasmus student. Our apartment was absolutely amazing. Clean, spacious, up to date, and if we had any issue whatsoever our landlord was there (usually that same day) to make sure it was solved. We had not one but TWO balconies. We even had AIR CONDITIONING! It's an essential in many parts of the U.S., but a luxury abroad; don't take it for granted!!</span></p><h3><span class="s1">Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</span></h3><p>















































</p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The main reason I wanted to intern abroad was that I felt unsuccessful because I didn't have a job offer right after graduation. Living in Spain helped me realize I need to slow down, like the Spaniards do, and enjoy life! Life shouldn't be measured by corporate success or how expensive your possessions are. Instead, I've refocused my life on how many amazing memories I can make and wonderful people I can meet.</span></p>


Meagan Castro-Lopez

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Meagan Castro-Lopez who participated in Global Experiences program.

Meagan Castro-Lopez | Global Experiences Alumni Interview

Meagan Castro-Lopez - 2015 Program Participant

<p></p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/images2/interviews/interviewphoto1-tong-1455180933.jpg" alt="







Mountain view in Riópar, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>Hiking view in Riópar</p></div></div>
<h3>Why did you decide to apply for an international program?</h3>
<p></p>
<p>As a second-year pre-medical student attending a highly competitive university, I have applied to a multitude of medical and health related programs before. While having been accepted to a few, I was also rejected to so many more. However, I never discouraged myself to keep on trying. So, I decided to expand my scope of view. I already enrolled in an eight week study abroad program in England, and I wanted to maximize the number of experiences I had while being in Europe.</p>
<p>Lo and behold came the Atlantis Project. I knew that I wanted an organized and more importantly legitimate pre-medical or pre-health program that I could talk about during any type of professional interview. I also knew that I wanted an adventure different than anything I have done in the States. I wanted an environment where I could feel free and see everything new for the first time, and I couldn't have asked for anything better and more fulfilling than the Atlantis Project.</p>
<h3>Why did you choose Atlantis Project?&nbsp;</h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>To be honest, at first I thought this program was a scam. Coming from a world of tough competition amongst pre-medical undergraduates and knowing basically every medical program on-campus as well as in neighboring hospitals, I yearned for a program that would not only boost my resume but would also give me the adventure of a lifetime. Lo and behold came the Atlantis Project, but I didn't believe that a program this intriguing was legit. After hours of thoroughly researching the program and scouring through <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/atlantisfellowship/reviews rel="" target="_self" class="link">online reviews</a>, I was still not convinced. The intimate learning experience between doctor and student and the international site were nothing I've ever heard or seen before as an undergraduate. I honestly thought it seemed too good to be true.</p>
<p>I contemplated over applying for this program for a long time after being rejected from a program I've desperately wanted since beginning college. However, thankfully my friends were so supportive and encouraged me to take a risk, because the worst thing that could happen is that I would be rejected again. I took their advice and turned in my application, without raising my hopes and expectations.</p>
<p>I can genuinely say it was the best risk I've taken. After talking back and forth via email with the project coordinator, I was deeply convinced into joining the program for the summer. I chose this program purely out of luck to be honest, and I'm incredibly grateful and glad for all of the help and education I've received.</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/images2/interviews/interviewphoto2-tong-1455181064.jpg" alt="







A view of Alcalá del Júcar, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>Alcalá del Júcar</p></div></div>
<h3>What was your favorite part about Albacete?</h3>
<p>I was placed in Albacete, Spain, for two weeks at the end of August. I knew nothing of this location since I had only heard of the big cities, like Barcelona and Madrid, but Google Maps and Images helped a lot. However, all my research couldn't even begin to describe the uniqueness and beauty of Albacete that I had the privilege to see. Since it isn't a touristy city, there were no lines of traffic or loud city noise that I grew up with. It was serene, peaceful, and wonderful.</p>
<p>My favorite part of Albacete would definitely have to be the people. Since it was a smaller city, everyone seemed to knew each other and were incredibly friendly. They didn't act exclusive or treated us coldly as tourists, even though for me it seemed that I was invading their environment. They treated us with such kindness and patience that I didn't see from the other places I visited while studying abroad weeks before. After only a few days, it felt like home.</p>
<h3>What made your internship experience unique?</h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>I shadowed at anesthesiology, plastic surgery, cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, and internal medicine, and I maintained the ethical code set up by the AAMC for working abroad. The hospitals we shadowed were, according to Google, some of the best in Spain. The hospitals never publicized this part and I never heard any of the doctors mention this, which I respected and appreciated greatly. However, the most unexpected aspect was how close students get to shadow the doctors.</p>
<p>They were humble and, although I was so eager to learn from them, they were just as eager to learn from us about English and the American culture. The doctors always encouraged us to see the procedures up close and personal; I stood literally a little more than a foot from the patient without contaminating anything. We were allowed to allow take photos and videos, with the patient's' consent beforehand. Although nothing was hands-on learning as expected, the doctors always thoroughly explained to us the procedures and equipments used. It was more than anything I could have learned from a textbook and a truly unforgettable journey.</p>
<h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h3>
<p>Our Atlantis Project coordinator was extraordinary. Before the program started, we had to share preferences of which departments we wanted to look at, which was nerve-racking since there were too many to choose from. I also had a lot of questions pertaining to the program, because of my anxiety, and he was so happy to answer all of them. He was more than I could ask for.</p>
<p>At the site, we were allowed to alter our schedules so that if possible we could shadow at any of the given departments. He was so patient, understanding, and even outright said that he would do anything to ensure that we would get the most out of this program. His dependability and kindness also made him a great friend. During our free time excursions, he made sure that we were all accommodated and that we were having fun. The best part was that no matter how many times he's seen these places he still had a lot of fun with us. He knew that we were touristy and made jokes about it, which was fantastic.</p>
<p>Overall, he made the program more fun and less stressful. He also treated us as adults, which was refreshing. Nothing was strictly mandatory, and every choice we made was up to our own discretion. The mutual respect we had for one another definitely made living in Spain for two weeks comfortable.</p>
<h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?</h3>
<p>Since the program lasted two weeks after my eight week study abroad program, I was so exhausted and ready to go home. I actually skipped two days of shadowing, which looking back I do sort of regret. I wish I would have spent these days in the operating room, observing more procedures and talking to the doctors who were so nice, and had unbelievable stories to tell outside of the operating room. I also wish that I hung out more with the other Atlantis Project fellows in the beginning. Since I was so tired, I tried to catch up on sleep. Rather than doing this, I should have just ignored it, since I never know when I can return or live in an entirely new place.</p>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/images2/interviews/interviewphoto4-tong-1455181089.jpg" alt="







Hospital interns in Spain"><div class="caption"><p>Just a day at the hospital</p></div></div>
<h3>Describe a day in the life of your internship.&nbsp;</h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Breakfast would begin at 8:30 a.m. At around 8:50 a.m. I would walk with those who were also shadowing at the same department to the hospitals. The time period for shadowing would vary, since it would be between four and five hours. Depending on the doctor, we could also have breaks. However, since I shadowed at mostly surgical departments, there would sometimes be no break since a procedure could last for up to five hours. I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF THIS!</p>
<p>When I felt tired standing for so long, as the doctors did, it was really inspiring and it made me switch my focus from pursuing a more clinical medical field to surgery. Even when something seemed boring or repetitive, the doctors would do something different or explore a different area requiring different techniques. Eeven if they didn't, it was incredible to see the delicate nature of surgical procedures up close and personal and get more chances to examine how they do it. I eagerly took so many notes, pictures, and videos on my phone that I would transfer to my laptop and summarize in a word document.</p>
<p>After shadowing, it was all free time. On one day for each week, we would teach a doctor English using our own curriculum. On another day, we would go on a half-day excursion an hour outside of the city. On the rest of the days, we would grab lunch and talk about our undergraduate lives. <em>Siesta</em> was definitely a great part of the Spanish culture, and I strictly abided to it. At about 9 p.m., we would grab dinner with each other, and our coordinator would join us on most nights. After dinner, it was also free time again. Since the drinking age is 18 in Europe, we would go for drinks afterwards before returning home to prepare for the next day.</p>
<p>For the one free weekend we had, some fellows stayed back and some traveled. For me, I decided to stay back since I had already traveled so much beforehand and didn't have the budget anymore.</p>
<h3>What did you enjoy doing on your free time?</h3>
<p>Living in a city and suburban environment, I was not used to seeing forests and nature scenes. Since we did spend a lot of time separated from each other while shadowing, I enjoyed any quality time we all spent together.</p>
<p>My favorite excursion was visiting Riopar, which is a ghost town on top of a mountain about an hour away from Albacete. We hiked part this amazing mountain, which had breathtaking views of forests and waterfalls. We then visited the ghost town, which had an occupancy of one person. While interacting with other tourists, we also got to visit a Christian church where the Crusaders were said to have built. Being a history buff myself, I was in such awe at this great history. I also got a chance to drink water from a well that drew water from the mountain springs, which was so delicious and fresh. We then climbed to the peak and saw a panoramic view of Riopar, and of course took our obligatory pictures. We also then swam in a small freshwater lake for some time before returning home.</p>
<p>During my time outside of the hospital, I really got to know the other fellows. We talked a lot about the differences in our colleges, which may be boring to some but was eye-opening. We also shared personal stories and our coordinator also joined us. After a lot of joking around and laughing at being tourists together, I really got to know these people who I still keep in touch with.</p>
<h3>What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</h3>
<p>We lived in college-style dormitories with our own room, bathroom, A/C, wifi, a gym, a recreational room, and a pool. It was only about 10 minutes of walking distance from the hospital, which was very convenient. There was a front-desk staff who were also very accommodating and helpful for guiding us around the city. My coordinator even provided us with a lot of snacks and water in our rooms before we arrived, and he even picked us up from the airport. Overall, the accommodations transcended my expectations.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/images2/interviews/interviewphoto3-tong-1455181002.jpg" alt="







The streets of Albacete, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>Relaxing view during break time</p></div></div>
<h3>Now that you're home, how has interning abroad impacted your life?</h3>
<p>This program helped me realize that I do want to pursue a career in surgery. The thought of cutting into people and having that huge responsibility everyday for the rest of a professional career was absolutely terrifying, yet I was always intrigued and part of me wanted to say yes. The two weeks of intensive shadowing and the advice I received from various doctors I got to know changed my focus, and I am grateful to have had this opportunity. It has made me more motivated, focused, and driven.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>This program also helped me to believe in myself. Living in the States all my life, I didn't know how I would like physically being away from my comfort zone. The thought of being abroad for so long gave me a lot of anxiety before the trip that I became sleepless. Through every risk I took, mistake I made, and experience I had in Europe, I regret nothing. Everything that I have seen and learned allowed me to think and somewhat re-evaluate my life. I've learned to trust in myself more and stand by my decisions. There was a new and profound sense of freedom that allowed me to be more adventurous and understand what it's like to "enjoy every minute of life" from here on out.</p>


Cindy Tong

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Cindy Tong who participated in Atlantis program.

Cindy Tong | Atlantis Alumni Interview

Atlantis Alumni Interview with Cindy Tong


<p class="p1"><span class="s1"></span></p><div class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://cdn4.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto1-alvarez-1443574911.jpg" alt="







Medical interns in Ourense, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>Ourense Group July 2015</p></div></div><h3>Why did you decide to apply for an international program?</h3><p></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Applying for an international program meant I got to the best of both worlds; I was able to combine my passion for traveling and my desire to participate in a hospital shadowing experience. I knew that participating in an international program would stretch me outside my comfort zone and give me the opportunity to become completely submerged within a new culture.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">As a member of society, it is important for me to become culturally aware of worldwide values, beliefs, and perceptions. We learn to tolerate intercultural ambiguity and be aware of our own values and biases. As a cultural ambassador of the United States, my goal was to develop a more sophisticated way of looking at the world and to facilitate the knowledge I have gained over seas into my everyday practices.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">Why did you choose Atlantis Project?&nbsp;</span></h3><p class="p3"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span">	</span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I specifically chose Atlantis Project because it had everything I looked for in a hospital shadowing experience. I was able to observe many different specialties, I got to learn about the European healthcare system, and I was able to travel to different parts of Spain. I knew I wanted all of these qualities in a shadowing program and Atlantis Project had all of the above and more.</span></p><div class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 380px;"><img style="" src="http://cdn2.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto4-alvarez-jpg-1443574961.jpg" alt="







Spanish medical intern in her uniforms"><div class="caption"><p>Daily attire in the hospital</p></div></div><h3><span class="s1">What was your favorite part about Ourense?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Without a doubt, my favorite part about the location was becoming part of the culture. With its old Spanish charm, Ourense is not a touristy location, meaning it gives you the opportunity to learn the language and the ways of the Spaniards. It was the kind of town where the locals would soon recognize you and greet you when you walk past their store. It was was the kind of town where you would come across the doctors taking an evening stroll with their families. It was the kind of town where you would easily become attached.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">What was your favorite part of your program?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">My favorite aspect of this program was that it was specifically tailored towards pre-health students. Not only did these students have an interest in healthcare, but they also had a passion for travel. Many other abroad programs specialize in other fields, such as business or education, but Atlantis Project solely focuses on giving their participants the best possible health care experience they need in order to prepare for their future careers.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">How did the local staff support you during your program?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The local staff made this program exactly what it was: phenomenal. Both my coordinators, Alba and Serxio, were helpful beyond expectation and they were always willing to offer assistance. They were approachable and charismatic and, more than anything, amazing people to create life-long friendships with. Every Monday and Wednesday they would walk us to our proper hospital assignment, and every excursion day they organized the meals and tours. This program was highly organized and professional and I feel that it is mainly due to the incredible coordinators.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?&nbsp;</span></h3><p class="p3"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span">	</span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Honestly, I wish I documented my experiences daily. I was caught up in a new country, with new friends and new adventures that I forgot to journal my experiences. I forever remember what I did in Ourense but I can't exactly say that I remember the way I felt. To anyone reading this, I highly recommend keeping a journal and writing in it as much as you can. Your future self will thank you later.</span></p><div class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://cdn1.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto3-alvarez-1443575041.jpg" alt="







Medical intern shadowing a surgery in Spain"><div class="caption"><p>My first day of shadowing</p></div></div><h3><span class="s1">Describe what a day in the life of your program looked like.&nbsp;</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Around 6:30 a.m., I would wake up and get dressed in business-casual attire. I would go next door around 7:00 a.m. and eat breakfast with the Atlantis Project fellows, ordering my usual: Spanish tortilla, toast, yogurt, and fruit. I would start walking to the hospital no later than 7:40 a.m. (although there is the option to take the bus).</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">At 8:00 a.m., I began shadowing depending on where I was scheduled for the week. What happens between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. can vary by specialty and by day. Some days are full of consultations while others are filled with surgeries. No matter the specialty or the day, the doctors always had something to teach you. After approximately five to six hours of shadowing, you had free time to do whatever you wanted. Sometimes Atlantis Project fellows and I would go out for some ice cream or relax by the natural hot springs near the Millennium Bridge.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">What you did between 1:00 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. was your time, and more often than not, it was filled with adventures with other Atlantis Project fellows. On group dinner nights, everyone would meet up at 7:45 p.m. in the meeting room and walk together to dinner. After that, you had free time once again to enjoy the late evenings of Spain.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">What was your favorite activity outside of your placement?&nbsp;</span></h3><p class="p3"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span">	</span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">My favorite activity was listening to the orchestra play every Thursday evening near the Plaza Mayor. It was really great to see the people of Ourense come together and feel like you were part of the community as well. Afterwards, my friends and I would go for an evening stroll down to the river and perhaps indulge in some <i>tapas</i> or dessert.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">In Ourense, we lived in a hotel in the middle of town in one of the plazas. It was great because there was always life all around you, no matter the time of day (except during <i>siesta</i> time, of course). I enjoyed staying in a hotel because room service would keep your space tidy and laundry service was included. There was also 24-hour desk service, so if you needed scissors at 3:00 a.m. in the morning they would be happy to oblige.</span></p><div class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://cdn4.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto2-alvarez-1443575018.jpg" alt="







Orchestra playing near Plaza Mayor in Ourense, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>Thursday night orchestras in the plaza</p></div></div><h3><span class="s1">Now that you're home, how would you say interning abroad has impacted your life?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Now that I am home, I have a hard time actually staying home. Ten days after my program ended, I hopped on a plane and settled in Costa Rica for a semester in order to complete my Spanish minor.</span></p><blockquote><span class="s1">This experience has definitely broadened my horizons both as a student and as a global citizen. I&rsquo;ve learned that the best way to experience culture is to live it.</span></blockquote><p>























































</p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I also learned that my view of the world is only as wide as my experiences and as long as I am immersing myself in new cultures, there will always be something new to learn. By participating in Atlantis Project, I gained an appreciation for the vast diversity that is dramatically increasing in the United States and have also developed a greater sense of independence and adaptability.</span></p>


Katelyn Alvarez

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Katelyn Alvarez who participated in Atlantis program.

Katelyn Alvarez | Atlantis Alumni Interview

Katelyn Alvarez - 2015 Program Participant


<p class="p1"><span class="s1"></span></p><div class="awesome-image centered"><img src="http://cdn4.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto2-dhaliwal-1441098909-1441931942.jpg" alt="Posing on a cliff in the Cies Islands, Spain" style="display: inline;"><div class="caption"><p>Dancer pose on the cliff at the Cies Islands</p></div></div><h3><span style="line-height: 24px;">Why did you decide to apply for an international program?</span></h3><p></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I really enjoy traveling, and I love meeting new people and spending time with people who have different values, traditions, and cultural norms. I think it is really healthy to shake up your worldview, especially when you live in a country like the United States. It is easy to get used to being at home and traveling really helps me to remember just how big the world is.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">Why did you choose the Atlantis Project?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I wanted to spend time abroad in a Spanish-speaking country, and I needed experience in a healthcare setting to help me decide whether I wanted to continue to pursue the possibility of medical school.</span></p><div class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 370px;"><img style="" src="http://cdn2.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto4-dhaliwal-1441098936.jpg" alt="







Foreign medical intern with local doctors in Spain"><div class="caption"><p>Left to right: Ana (an internal medicine resident), me and Dra. Ana Bravo, an internal medicine physician, with whom I have become very close with on this trip</p></div></div><h3><span class="s1">What was your favorite part about Ourense?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I loved the small-town setting. Ourense is a community of people who are patient, kind, and laid-back. They love showing off their city, and they love Americans. They were so patient with me while I stammered through the first few days speaking in Spanish, and were eager to help me find whatever I needed and show me around.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">What characteristics of your program made it unique?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">It connects students with similar interests in a way that builds friendships and connections to the community that last a lifetime. Since our coordinators were locals, they had an "in" with the community that we would never have had if the Atlantis Project only employed Americans to take us abroad. They were adamant about integrating us into the community, not observing it as tourists and continuing with our comfortable, American way of life.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">In what ways did the local staff support you throughout your program?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">They helped us navigate the city, showed us the best places to get food, do laundry, shop, and explore. They were always available by cell phone 24/7, so if we were ever lost or had an emergency, they were easy to reach.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I wish I would have stayed longer!</span></p><h3><span class="s1">What was a typical day like for you as a medical intern in Spain?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">We would wake up at around 7 a.m., go downstairs and next door to the Chocolateria Candido, where we would have breakfast. I usually had the tortilla and two cups of <i>cafe con leche</i>. I miss it so much! After breakfast, we would either walk or take the bus to the hospital. I walked every morning because I loved walking through the city and seeing everyone in their daily routines. My trip would take me past a park that had two peacocks who lived there, and it was so fun to try to find them every morning as I walked past.</span></p><div class="awesome-image left-aligned" style="width: 370px;"><img style="" src="http://cdn1.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto3-dhaliwal-1441098983.jpg" alt="







Posing in Ourense in northwestern Spain"><div class="caption"><p>Left to right: Serxio (local coordinator), Michael (fellow), me, Paula (coordinator - from the Canary Islands), Alba (coordinator - from village right outside Ourense)</p></div></div><p class="p1"><span class="s1">We would then spend between four to six hours in the hospital shadowing doctors. We had the opportunity to leave whenever we pleased, and some days were slower than others. Sometimes the field you shadowed just wasn't a good fit, and you could ask to leave to shadow a different doctor or specialty. They were very accommodating and kind, especially considering the fact that they received no benefits from hosting us, monetary or otherwise.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">After shadowing, we would have lunch at the hospital (because it was very discounted, we got the physicians' pricing for meals) or we would eat at the hotel or out at a restaurant. Lunch was usually around 3 p.m., so I would always bring a snack with me to hold me over while at the hospital. After lunch we had downtime until around 5 p.m., at which point we would sometimes have an excursion (on Wednesday nights). The Wednesday night excursions included visiting Santiago de Compostela, a tour of Ourense from a local guide, going to a winery, or visiting a national park.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, we had dinner together. On Sundays, we had an all day excursion, usually to somewhere out of town. If it wasn't an excursion or group dinner evening, all the fellows would usually plan dinner together anyway. We would walk around the city until we found somewhere to eat, or get pizza and be casual. At night, we would go out exploring or just hang out. I went to bed at around 2 a.m. most nights, but as I got more tired the second week I started to sleep at around midnight.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">What was your favorite activity outside the normal day-to-day schedule of your program?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Visiting the Cies Islands was the most amazing part of my trip. We went there on a Sunday, and hiked the island. It was so stunningly beautiful. We got to lay on the beach and hang out with our coordinators, and it was just a really fun and relaxing day to spend with everyone.</span></p><div class="awesome-image centered"><img src="http://cdn4.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto1-dhaliwal-1441098732-1441931973.jpg" alt="Oceanview on the Cies Islands in Spain" style="display: inline;"><div class="caption"><p>Standing on the rocks at the beach on the Cies Islands</p></div></div><h3><span class="s1">What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">We stayed in a hotel in the old town of Ourense, which is the nicest part of the city, and a very expensive place to live. The hotel was more like a hostel, and the rooms were very clean and comfortable. I loved the location and the ease of getting from one place to another. I never took the bus because I didn't have to! I walked everywhere, from the mall to the hospital and out to dinner and shopping. It was very easy to get home, and the hostel was extremely safe. They even did our laundry for free once a week, and hang-dried my dresses, which I thought was so nice.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">Now that you're home, how would you say your time abroad has impacted your life?</span></h3><p>



















































</p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I am viewing the world through the lens of my experience in Spain. It has impacted me immensely, even in my day to day life. I question the cultural system in America a lot now. We take so many things for granted, and assume that when something is old, we have to buy a newer version of it. Spanish people don't buy into the idea of constantly buying and accumulating things. They also don't plan out every hour of their day to be busy. They take their time, they talk to people, and they enjoy every hour of their day. I think that lifestyle is something I want to aspire to have. It is so easy to get caught up in competing with other students in the U.S., and I loved the atmosphere in Spain because it was so opposite to that.</span></p>


Olivia Dhaliwal

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Olivia Dhaliwal who participated in Atlantis program.

Olivia Dhaliwal | Atlantis Alumni Interview

Olivia Dhaliwal - 2015 Program Participant 


<p class="p1"><span class="s1"></span></p><div class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://cdn2.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto1-gaynor-1439215984.jpg" alt="







Plaza Mayor in Salamanca, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>The Plaza Mayor in Salamanca - one of Spain's most beautiful plazas (Google it if you don't believe me)</p></div></div><h3><span style="line-height: 24px;">Why did you decide to study abroad?</span></h3><p></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I study Spanish. Going abroad was a perfect opportunity to experience another culture, be independent, and, above all, practice Spanish in an immersive and natural setting.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">Why did you choose IES Abroad&rsquo;s program in Salamanca?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I knew I wanted to study in Spain because the teachers I had who got me hooked on the language were from or had studied there. In terms of the city, professors and students from my college highly recommended the program. Add to it the fact that the city is known for Spanish-language education, and you&rsquo;ve got the perfect location. The city bills itself as &ldquo;La Ciudad de Espa&ntilde;ol.&rdquo; I don&rsquo;t agree with those who say it&rsquo;s the purest Spanish, but I do think it has a very understandable dialect.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">What was your favorite part about Salamanca?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Everything was within walking distance, well, almost everything. Salamanca is a small enough city that it doesn&rsquo;t feel overwhelming, which is one of the criterion I had when choosing a college, but there was always plenty to do. It was also a relatively short bus ride (two and half to three hours) from Madrid, so getting to most other locations in the country wasn&rsquo;t difficult.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">What characteristics of your program made it unique?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">First and foremost, I think the city makes it special; people have a tendency to fall in love with Salamanca. In terms of program features, the blended program, wherein we could take both center classes (designed specifically for IES Abroad students to reflect a U.S. education) and classes at either of the two local universities, was definitely different. I met people from other programs who had to enroll directly in the university, and I think there&rsquo;s something nice about the balance. The chance to intern at a local school in English classes for credit was great, too.</span></p><div class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 330px;"><img style="" src="http://cdn3.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto2-gaynor-1439216015.jpg" alt="







The old library of Universidad de Salamanca"><div class="caption"><p>The Universidad de Salamanca's old library</p></div></div><h3><span class="s1">How did local staff support you throughout your program?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">We had a two-week intensive orientation program, which I think was very helpful in getting us acclimated. There was an optional check-in around midterms to see how we were managing and a readjustment meeting toward the end. For those of us who took university classes, there were a few meetings throughout the semester to ensure we were handling them okay and to address any concerns we had about them. The staff were available if we had questions or needed advice.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Part of me wishes I had taken fewer credits. If I&rsquo;d dropped even one of the classes I took, I think I would&rsquo;ve felt that I had more time to travel, set up intercambios with local students, or enjoy some of the program&rsquo;s trips even more.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">Describe a day in the life of your program.</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">On most days, I woke up around 7:15 a.m., got ready, and ate breakfast with my host family. My first class, the required language class, was at 9 a.m. After that, I either walked to my internship or did homework until my next class. I got home around 2 p.m., and I ate lunch with my family around 3 p.m. Then it was back to the university for class at 4 p.m. Some days I had one more class through IES Abroad.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I returned home around 7 p.m., did homework, and ate dinner between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Now, while this sounds like a packed day, there was still time to enjoy the city, which often meant meeting friends in the Plaza Mayor and heading to a cafe.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">What did you enjoy doing on your free time?</span></h3><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Trying to blend in. When I traveled outside of Salamanca, I didn&rsquo;t care if I looked like a tourist. But I consider Salamanca like another home, and I wanted to appear as native to the city as possible.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">Tell us more about your accommodation.</span></h3><p class="p3"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span">	</span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I lived in a homestay with a host mother and her 14-year-old son. My favorite part was that my host mother teaches Spanish to foreigners. She understood where I was coming from and was able to gauge my improvement. We had a lot of great <i>sobremesas</i> (after-meal conversations) about English, Spanish, German, and cultural differences.</span></p><h3><span class="s1">Now that you're home, how would you say studying abroad in Salamanca has impacted your life?</span></h3><p>















































</p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">I make a lot of comparisons. Hopefully I&rsquo;m not annoying anyone with them, but I often see something happen here (as simple, for example, as someone cooking an egg), and I feel the need to share &ldquo;well in Spain, this is how they would do this.&rdquo; I guess that means I&rsquo;m more aware. And when my Dad is channel flipping and passes a t<i>elenovela</i>, I definitely understand the actors a little bit better than I did before I went abroad!</span></p>


Ben Gaynor

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Ben Gaynor who participated in IES Abroad program.

Ben Gaynor | IES Abroad Alumni Interview

Ben Gaynor - 2015 Program Participant


<p class="p1"></p><div class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://cdn4.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto1-wang-1428387859.jpg" alt="







Piano lesson"><div class="caption"><p>Teaching piano to a 12-year-old boy</p></div></div><h3>Why did you choose to intern abroad?</h3>
<p class="p3">I wanted to intern/volunteer abroad for personal, academic, and professional reasons. On a personal level, I wanted to expand my horizons, have total independence, obtain some cross-cultural experience, and explore the country of Spain. I also wanted to experience the music culture in a foreign city and get to meet people from all over the world. Academically, I wanted to increase my Spanish speaking proficiency and musicianship skills. Professionally, I wanted to gain more experience teaching music to children.</p>
<h3>What made you choose to intern in Spain specifically?</h3>
<p class="p3">I chose the country of Spain mainly because I wanted to spend time in the city of Barcelona. I wanted to experience the varied and exciting music scene of Barcelona, as well as this city&rsquo;s other cultural sites and opportunities. I also wanted to increase my proficiency in the Spanish language and be able to easily explore other regions of this country.</p>
<h3>Why did you choose Performing Arts Abroad over other international internship providers?</h3>
<p class="p3">I chose to intern abroad with Performing Arts Abroad (PAA) for several reasons. One is that my music program in college did not allow for students to study abroad during the year, and PAA offered several options for studying abroad during the summer. I was able to fulfill that desire and at the same time gain valuable experience teaching music and living with a host family. Performing Arts Abroad seemed very organized and they were incredibly responsive to my questions. They went to the trouble to arrange an individualized program for me in Spain that best suited my needs. They also incorporated a course in Spanish into the program, which was important and useful to me.</p><div class="awesome-image left-aligned" style="width: 300px;"><img style="" src="http://cdn3.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto3-wang-1428387969.jpg" alt="







Singing lesson"><div class="caption"><p>Demonstrating proper breathing techniques for a singing class</p></div></div>
<h3>Where did you stay during your internship in Spain? What was your favorite part about your accommodation?</h3>
<p class="p3">I chose to stay with a host family, as I felt this would increase my opportunities to speak Spanish, enable me to have an in-depth cultural exchange experience, and learn more about the life of Spanish families. My favorite part was spending time with the two young boys in the family. The World Cup was taking place, and we all bonded over our interest in this sporting event.</p>
<h3>What was a typical day like as a music intern in Spain?</h3>
<p class="p3">A typical day for me in Spain would start at 7:30 a.m. I would wake up and have breakfast with my host family and head to the music school where I volunteered. I spent about eight hours a day at the music school giving individual music lessons on various instruments, as well as singing lessons to children who ranged in age from seven to 14. I also did music activities with the children and helped them with composing and recording some of their music.</p>
<p class="p3">After school ended, I often hung out with the staff or visited a cultural site before heading back to my host family&rsquo;s home. I would spend some time on my computer doing work for the music school such as writing a blog, and would then have a late dinner with the family (at about 9:00 p.m.). I would then watch some TV with the children or just talk to them about their day. After they went to bed, I would go out to a music club to hear some great live music performances.</p>
<h3>What is one of your most memorable experiences from your time in Spain?</h3>
<p class="p3">One of my most memorable experiences was going to Escolania de Montserrat, which is the home of the oldest boys&rsquo; choir in Europe. There is a music school there that dates back to the 14<span class="s1"><sup>th</sup></span> century. This world-renowned choir performs daily in the Basilica for visitors from around the world and I, fortunately, was able to see this on the last weekend they were singing before they went on tour. As a singer and music education major, this was a phenomenal experience. I will never forget the beautiful voices I heard from these young boys in a most magnificent and historical setting.</p><div class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 300px;"><img style="" src="http://cdn3.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto4-wang-1428387995.jpg" alt="







Music students in Spain"><div class="caption"><p>A group of children posing for a photo in one of my music classes</p></div></div>
<h3>What was the biggest challenge you faced abroad?</h3>
<p class="p3">The biggest challenge I faced abroad was when I encountered individuals who only spoke Catalan Spanish and did not speak any English. Catalan Spanish is different than the Spanish taught in the U.S. and, at times, it created communication problems with some working class adults and the young music students who did not know as much English as the older students.</p>
<h3>What advice would you give to others interested in interning in Spain?</h3>
<p class="p3">I would tell people who want to intern in Spain to stay with a host family and take advantage of visiting the many beautiful cities in this country. I loved Barcelona, Valencia, and Madrid, and one should take advantage of the many cultural aspects of these cities, such as the food, the art, the history museums, the music, etc. If one speaks any amount of Spanish, I would make every effort to converse with the people in Spanish, as this is a good way to improve your Spanish proficiency.</p>
<h3>How has interning in Barcelona impacted your life?</h3>
<p class="p3">My summer interning in Barcelona through Performing Arts Abroad was a life-changing experience for me. From the food to the sites to the people I met, I considered it to be one of the greatest cities I have ever visited.</p>
<p class="p3">While at my internship, I had the opportunity to work with a great mentor who went out of her way to guide me and made sure I gained a lot of hands-on experience. It was also a pleasure to work with the students and improve my Spanish along the way. I loved working at my internship so much that I am still currently working for them, as I am organizing all their piano music for the upcoming year.</p>
<p class="p3">I also had the opportunity to live with a warm, caring Spanish family and their two boys, an experience that further enabled me to improve my Spanish speaking and comprehension skills. It also provided the opportunity for a cultural exchange experience.</p>
<p class="p3">Lastly, I had the opportunity to travel to other parts of Spain including Valencia, Montserrat, and Madrid. Overall, this experience gave me personal growth and an independent experience that was unique and helpful to my future career.</p><div class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://cdn4.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto2-wang-1428388028.jpg" alt="







Saxophone lesson"><div class="caption"><p>Teaching the saxophone to a 9-year-old boy</p></div></div>
<h3>What made Spain such a great place for a music internship abroad?</h3>
<p class="p4">Spain has a vibrant music scene, which encompasses music from every genre. There is great classical music, flamenco music, as well as rock, pop, jazz, and electronic music. The major cities have lots of clubs with live music performed in an informal atmosphere. One can listen to artists who are new to the scene, as well as acclaimed music stars. Almost every Spanish city holds international music festivals at different times throughout the year.</p>
<h3>Would you recommend Performing Arts Abroad music internship in Spain to others?</h3>
<p class="p3">I would absolutely recommend my Performing Arts Abroad Program to others who want to pursue their artistic talent or interest in the arts in an international location. The PAA program went to great lengths to individualize a music internship for me at La Sala Escola de La Musica in Barcelona, Spain that met both my professional and academic interests.</p>
<p class="p3">Overall, the Performing Arts Abroad program was very well organized from my pre-departure to my return to the United States. There were always people available in Barcelona to answer any questions or troubleshoot any problems. Since this was such a valuable, enriching, and exciting experience, I am doing another PAA trip abroad this coming summer in <a href="http://www.performingartsabroad.com/costa-rica" title="" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" class="clickTracker" rev="domainID=10&amp;refererType=2&amp;refererID=567&amp;abbreviation=CSCT&amp;clientID=35700" data-ga-client="Performing Arts Abroad" data-contentlink="5595">Costa Rica</a>.</p>
<h3>Tell us more about your plans in Costa Rica with PAA.</h3>
<p class="p3">I am going abroad again this summer with the Performing Arts Abroad program. This time I am going to Costa Rica because I wanted to spend time in another Spanish-speaking country, where I have heard the people are very friendly and speak at a slower pace. &nbsp;Last summer I was in Barcelona where they speak mainly Catalan Spanish, so this will perhaps be an even better opportunity to increase my Spanish proficiency, as it is more typical of Spanish spoken in the United States. I also know that Performing Arts Abroad has established music programs in this location. Lastly, I have always wanted to go to Costa Rica because of its Afro-Caribbean and Latin influence in the music world and because of the opportunity to explore its rich biodiversity.</p>


Andrew Wang

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Andrew Wang who participated in Performing Arts Abroad program.

Andrew Wang | Performing Arts Abroad Alumni Interview

Andrew Wang - 2014 Program Participant


<p class="p1"></p><p class="p1"></p><div class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 297px;"><img style="" src="http://cdn3.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto2-sassow-1426153368.jpg" alt="







Flagship of the Spanish Armada setting sail in Santander, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>Bianca and her peers were able to watch the Flagship of the Spanish Armada sail out on it&rsquo;s journey back around the world.</p></div></div><h3><span style="line-height: 24px;">Why did you choose Santander for your international program?</span></h3><p class="p1">I chose Santander so that I could fully experience Spanish culture, without all the tourist influence in the south, and also so that it wouldn&rsquo;t be too hot since I went in July!</p><h3>Why did you select SPI Study Abroad over other high school study abroad program providers?</h3><p class="p1">It seemed, and was, very straight-forward and easy to get to. My parents really liked how they dropped me off at one airport near home, and the SPI Abroad onsite staff collected me from the airport in Madrid.</p><h3>Where did you stay for the duration of your program?</h3><p class="p1">I stayed with another girl in a mid-size apartment. We had two separate bedrooms with more than enough storage space. Our hostess was very kind and welcoming. The apartment was about a 10-minute walk from school and right next to the town center so we could all meet up for ice cream in the afternoons and do a little walking around.</p><div class="awesome-image left-aligned" style="width: 240px;"><img style="" src="http://cdn3.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto3-sassow-1426153441.jpg" alt="







Santander town center kids ride"><div class="caption"><p>Bianca hanging out in the town center with friends</p></div></div><h3>What was a normal day like as a high school student in Spain?</h3><p class="p1">Normally, I woke up at about 8:20 a.m. which gave me enough time to get ready and walk to the school, which started at 9:15 a.m. Lessons typically lasted until 11 a.m., when we had a hour break. There was a great cafe in the university with delicious snacks where we usually chatted and drank morning coffees. Classes then ended at 1 p.m.; we would walk home and eat lunch with our host family. Most afternoons there was an activity, like surfing, or we might go out on a walk to the beach, and other days we would do a little shopping in the town. There was enough free time to go out each night and get our homework done for the next day.</p><h3>What is your most memorable experience from your time studying abroad in Santander?</h3><p class="p1">On the first weekend of our stay, we went up to the Picos de Europa National Park. Once we had taken the <i>gondola</i> up to the mountaintop, there were some areas of unmelted snow and ice that we had a lot of fun sliding down on our three-hour hike. We spotted a meltwater lake, and at the end of the hike when we were worn out we went for a swim, it was so refreshing. Thankfully, our clothes had dried by the time we were back in the coach bus at the mountain base.</p><div class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 240px;"><img style="" src="http://cdn4.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto1-sassow-1426153819.jpg" alt="







Picos De Europa National Park in Santander, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>Bianca visited Picos De Europa, where the view was amazing.</p></div></div><h3>What was the biggest challenge you faced as a high school student in Santander?</h3><p class="p1">Definitely the communication. It was so difficult to communicate doing everyday tasks at first, it really made you notice the holes in your vocabulary. Even though it was hard, I really improved my speaking ability and by the end of the fortnight, I could understand much more domestic tasks and everyday vocabulary.</p><h3>What advice would you give to other high school students interested in studying abroad with SPI Abroad?</h3><p class="p1">Bring walking shoes to wear every day! Converse or sandals are a recipe for blisters, and the hiking boots are definitely too clunky to wear around the town. You do way more walking than anybody in my group anticipated.</p><h3>Why would you go back to Santander if you have the chance?</h3><p>





































</p><p class="p1">The town was very safe and easy to navigate, and the experience as a whole made such a huge difference to my current Spanish speaking ability. I loved how freely we were treated by our coordinator and trusted as adults, we could go around the town or to the beach in our free time, which was amazing. My host mother was also very welcoming and I would love to return again.</p>


Bianca Sassow

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Bianca Sassow who participated in SPI Study Abroad program.

Bianca Sassow | SPI Study Abroad Alumni Interview

Bianca Sassow - 2013 Program Participant

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Why just visit Spain, live here for as long as you want! You can do exactly that with our Spa and Resort Work program. This allows you to live and take on a job in any major city, be able to cover your living expenses, and have a life-changing experience!

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Why just visit Spain, live here for as long as you want! You can do exactly that with our Spa and Resort Work program. This allows you to live and take on a job in any major city, be able to cover your living expenses, and have a life-changing experience!

Spas and resorts offer all the luxury you can imagine, letting you enjoy life while working in a wellness atmosphere and improving your Spanish. We offer several placements in the hotel and catering sectors. The most common are waiter/waitress, concierge, receptionist, barman, cook, and kitchen assistant. All of these positions are in high-class hotels.

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