What inspired you to go abroad?
I always knew I wanted to go abroad at some point while I was in college, and the opportunity for me to go to Madrid and intern presented itself; I knew it was the right choice!
I had the opportunity to work with kids while pursuing a degree in Elementary Education and practice my Spanish-speaking skills, all while exploring a new city and country!
Why did you choose International Internships in Madrid?
I chose this program because it really checked all the boxes of what I was looking for in a study abroad program. I wanted to be in a big city, live somewhat independently, pursue my academic or career interests, and improve my Spanish-speaking abilities.
My internship in Madrid provided me with all these opportunities and was so much better than I ever could have imagined.
What was your favorite part about Madrid?
Rooftop bar overlooking the city of Madrid
I loved the community and culture in Madrid. There was always so much to do and explore, and all the locals were very friendly. I also really enjoyed getting to travel around Spain and visit other big cities, coastal areas, and small towns around the country.
One of my favorite things about Spain was all the celebrations and festivals that people had in the streets of the cities.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
My internship working with kids made my experience that much more extraordinary. Getting to spend the day with kids while practicing my Spanish made me sure that I want to be a teacher in the future and gave me so many valuable skills that I will carry with me into my future classrooms.
Everyone I interacted with, at work, in the program, and the locals, made my experience abroad so memorable.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff in Madrid were absolutely incredible!
They hosted events for all the interns to get to know each other, did regular check-ins to make sure our internships were going well, and provided support when difficult situations came up. They made sure we were able to live a full life while abroad and offered support in any way that we needed it!
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I would have extended my time abroad, either going early or staying later, so I could travel around Europe more. Because you are working a full-time internship, you only get weekends off, so I wish I had used the rest of my summer to travel more to different countries.
However, my experience abroad has definitely expanded my passion for travel, and this has become a big life goal of mine!
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
During the week, I would get up in the morning and get ready for work. I was close enough that I was able to walk from my living accommodation to my internship site. I worked from 9 am to 4 pm, spending the entire day with kids, doing different activities, lessons, and games.
After I got off work, I would relax for a bit at the apartment before going out into the city. Sometimes I would have specific plans of something I wanted to do with other interns, but other nights I would explore new areas of the city that I had not been to yet.
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
I loved trying new cafes, going to museums, going to markets and festivals, traveling to different cities, and embracing everything that the city had to offer. I journaled every day while I was abroad, so I would sometimes go to a new park or cafe and journal about my experiences and everything that I had been doing while abroad.
Madrid Pride
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
My housing accommodation was a fifteen-person apartment where everyone had their own room, and we had a shared living space, kitchen, and bathrooms.
This type of accommodation was really nice because it gave me the opportunity to meet other interns and other people living abroad, but also allowed me to have my own space.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
I think it is important to realize that interning abroad is different than just studying abroad. You cannot skip work like you would class to travel. You are there to do an internship, and communication with your supervisors is incredibly important.
I also think it is important to know what the work culture and customs are in your host country because they vary around the world, and your employer might have different expectations than what you are used to.
Would you recommend The Intern Group to others? Why?
Yes, I would definitely recommend this program and The Intern Group to other people interested in interning abroad.
I felt the perfect combination of independent and supported while abroad and made so many amazing connections with other interns in the program. You get such an immersive experience from working abroad versus studying abroad, and my provider really helped cultivate that.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Parque del Retiro
For me, the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is getting to meet new people from around the world.
I loved solo traveling on the weekends and for a week after my program ended because I got to stay in hostels with a lot of other solo travelers. We would go out and explore the city we were in together and then go our separate ways, but those few days were always so much fun.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My time abroad has influenced my passion for travel, and it has definitely become something I want to prioritize in my life.
My internship really confirmed the career path I have chosen, and my overall experience helped me develop more independence, confidence, and self-reliance. I cannot wait to go abroad again!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel means really getting to know the people and the place that you are visiting.
Experiencing new cultures is incredibly important, but it is also very important to be mindful of how your actions may differ from the cultural norms and the impact you are having. It's important to be respectful of local people and really get to know the space you are in!
