Puentes Abroad Summer Internship Program

Stepping outside of your comfort zone is one of the most powerful ways to grow both personally and professionally. The Puentes program supported me every step of the way, providing the tools, resources, and constant availability I needed to thrive. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work in another country—it gave me a perspective I wouldn’t have gained otherwise

Studying abroad in Argentina was one of the most formative experiences of my college years. Professionally, working in Buenos Aires gave me the chance to practice Spanish in a real-world setting and pushed me to adapt quickly in a new environment. I gained confidence navigating a different workplace culture, learned how to communicate across language barriers, and developed a stronger sense of independence that I know will serve me in my career. On a personal level, the connection I built with my host mom was especially meaningful—she not only made me feel at home but also became a mentor and friend. We spent hours talking, which helped me improve my Spanish while also giving me insight into Argentine life, and we still call each other regularly. The challenges I faced—whether adjusting to the language, the pace of the city, or being far from home—ended up shaping my growth the most, teaching me resilience and adaptability. Looking back, I see Argentina as the place where I grew both professionally and personally, and I carry those lessons and relationships with me every day.

A fantastic way to "go abroad" virtually and have a professional experience in a Latin American country while developing professional skills and having an international cultural experience. Highly recommend for anyone interested in Latin America or not!

I really enjoyed my remote internship. The work I was conducting was very engaging and required me to actively discuss and work with my supervisors and colleagues. I was unsure about accepting this internship, mostly because it was completely virtual, but I am glad that I did as it allowed me to dive into a different field of work as a digital solutions intern.

Puentes Abroad has been fantastic from the beginning of my internship until now. I absolutely loved my internship experience since I was able to gain real-world experience while working on interesting projects. I would strongly recommend Puentes to anyone looking for an internship that includes a distant, international experience as well as professional development workshops and excellent supervision. This experience improved both my personal and professional life.

Even though I had been looking forward to participating in an in-person Puentes experience, the Puentes staff worked with remarkable dexterity, flexibility, and creativity to adapt the internship and cultural immersion experience to a remote format, due to travel restrictions because of the pandemic. Although I wasn't able to go to Buenos Aires in person, I gained valuable professional experience and created international relationships through my remote internship with a Latin American community development NGO, right from my desk at home! Through closely guided mentorship, the Puentes program staff supported and enriched my personal growth all along the way. I cannot recommend the Puentes remote internship experience enough!

It was also very nicely tailored to undergraduates by giving us a perfect blend of support and guidance that young people need but also space to figure things out for ourselves. It has largely increased my interest in the Spanish certificate, desire to continue in nonprofit-related volunteer work or extracurriculars, and consideration of the sector as a future career.

From the moment I arrived in Buenos Aires, I was greeted by the Puentes staff and reassured that they would be there for whatever I needed. That first weekend was packed with useful information sessions and a great city tour that introduced me to the place I'd call home for the next two months. Curt, Ann, and Alicia were so friendly and often expressed their genuine interest in making our summer full of growth and enjoyable experiences. My internship site was incredible -- definitely something I did not expect, but was my hub of learning, creativity, and friendship. I got to explore the city and other parts of Argentina with other Puentes interns, and those memories are some that I will cherish forever! Overall, I had the most incredible summer with Puentes, and I would do it all again if I had the chance!!

Photos

Puentes was incredibly supportive throughout my process of immersion in Argentina. I immediately felt welcomed by the staff and was eased into a whole new world. My internship helped me to understand what I enjoy verses what I don't, so as to help me hone in on a possible career path in the future. I had a lot of worry-free fun this summer as I knew Puentes would take care of me with any problems, but I still enjoyed the freedoms and independence of working abroad. Overall awesome experience!