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Interested in hearing from a college student who has done an internship abroad in Spain? We recently caught up with Abigail from the University of South Carolina who spent her summer abroad as an intern in Barcelona.
Discover how Abigail’s internship in Barcelona with AIFS Abroad helped shape her professional future and her outlook on life!
Choosing an Intern Abroad Destination & Term
Choosing an intern abroad destination isn’t always easy (our team can help with that!), especially when you consider all of the amazing international internship programs AIFS Abroad offers around the world. Hear why Abigail chose a summer program in Barcelona, Spain:
“I chose Barcelona because of the job opportunities and because Spain was a country I had never visited!… I found that with my academic schedule, the summer term is what suited me best… and Spain during that time was electric… not only was it busy, but the locals had [their] culture on full display. It was a great time to learn and experience a lot. I was also able to be in Barcelona for a local holiday, which was AMAZING.”
Why Intern Abroad?
There are so many great reasons to intern abroad—gain hands-on professional experience, build your resume, grow your network, immerse yourself in another culture, and practice intercultural communication (to name only a few). Below, Abigail explains why she chose to intern abroad, and why she thinks you should too:
“I chose to intern abroad to learn more about the work culture outside of the U.S… [and] because I had previous experience in corporate America and wanted to try something totally different. College students and recent grads should pursue this experience because, not only is it a great opportunity to learn, but it is also a major differentiator on resumes.”
Internship Experience
AIFS Abroad international internships place you with a vetted local companyin one of your approved career fields. Our trusted on-site staff will verify they’re a good fit and meet our high standards, so we can guarantee you’ll gain valuable professional experience in a safe and healthy work environment. Hear Abigail describe her social media marketing internship in Barcelona and what responsibilities she carried out:
“I worked with an architectural firm on a sustainability-focused project. I facilitated the pre-launch marketing strategy for an EU-funded venture, focusing on B2B content, lead generation, and audience development.”
Personal & Professional Growth
AIFS Abroad interns frequently report how our programs helped them grow both professionally and personally. Listen to Abigail explain the impact of her international internship program on her future:
“The growth that I underwent during my time abroad is so extreme [that] it is hard to put into an answer… I feel that the biggest growth I went through abroad is learning how important it is to build a community around you and know when to ask those people for help and support. The other major way I grew is through what I am looking for after graduation. Before going abroad, I was only focusing on what I wanted my job to be, but after watching the culture of Spain during my time there, I have been trying to think more about what I want my life to look like after graduation and finding jobs that align with those expectations.”
Work Culture
Hear Abigail explain in more detail how the work culture in Spain differs from America, and the impact this experience has had on her personal priorities:
“The main difference I experienced was the work-to-live versus live-to-work mentality. In the U.S., I have noticed that people are very career-focused and often have work or ‘what they do’ at the center of their lives… In Spain, they work as a means to live, but their family, social life, and hobbies are at the center. They work less and have much closer personal relationships with the people they work with… I loved their work-life balance, and as I prepare to graduate, I am looking for jobs that will give me a life I want, not just a career I want.”
Language Learning
Many AIFS Abroad internship programs do not require foreign language fluency. As Abigail said, she didn’t know any Spanish before her internship in Barcelona:
“I knew no Spanish, and my boss spoke Spanish… [and] English well. I found that the key is to know how to rephrase statements for clarification or better understanding.”
Social Events & Trips
AIFS Abroad programs include trips and excursions, as well as social and cultural activities. These are great opportunities to learn more about your host country and bond with other AIFS Abroad participants, as Abigail explains:
“My favorite activity was the cooking class! We gathered in an intimate setting and worked together to create a traditional Spanish meal. It was a great way to learn about the culture, and to make friends!”
Are you ready to take the leap and intern abroad like Abigail did in Barcelona with AIFS Abroad? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students and recent graduates intern abroad. Our programs come with many valuable inclusions that are designed to enrich your experience abroad and ease the transition. From coordinating your housing to providing things like integrated career readiness, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and cultural and social activities and excursions, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience abroad.
