One of the Most Amazing Summer Internships Past Review

By (University of Florida) - abroad from 05/28/2016 to 08/13/2016 with

The Intern Group: Madrid Internship Placement Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
YESSSSSS. I love every moment of it :)

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I did a 11 week internship in Madrid, Spain. It was honestly one of the best summer of my life. I was helped form the very start on my transition into the new country. The Program Coordinators were always there for me and wanted to help me in every way possible. When I was trying to see what to do with where to live and how to get around, they were very quick to help out. Also, the Intern Group was great to have social events for the group as well. I have met some of my best friends in this program. I had amazing friends that went all around Europe with me and got to go to tapas nights or night clubbing. I still talk to a lot of them to this day! But most of all, the internship was a great experience. My major is Computer Science and I got to work wait ha tech start up. It was an amazing first internship opportunity. I got to utilize my skills that I learned at my university while also learning Spanish as well. I got to work in a Spanish environment and increase my resume too. It was really worth it once I left Madrid and was at a Career Showcase. So many of the companies were interested at how my internship was in Spain. It helped me stand out and become a more unique individual. In every way, this was a great experience. Inside and outside of the internship, I made sure to make the most of the program. The only annoying thing with the internship is the price. It was frustrating always having to tell people that I didn't get paid for this internship and that I did all the work for free. I wish the companies were a little more grateful for our work and helped contributed to our stay. It would make me feel a lot more appreciative and allow more people to want to apply to the program.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I did a 11 week internship in Madrid, Spain. It was honestly one of the best summer of my life. I was helped form the very start on my transition into the new country. The Program Coordinators were always there for me and wanted to help me in every way possible. When I was trying to see what to do with where to live and how to get around, they were very quick to help out. Also, the Intern Group was great to have social events for the group as well. I have met some of my best friends in this program. I had amazing friends that went all around Europe with me and got to go to tapas nights or night clubbing. I still talk to a lot of them to this day! But most of all, the internship was a great experience. My major is Computer Science and I got to work wait ha tech start up. It was an amazing first internship opportunity. I got to utilize my skills that I learned at my university while also learning Spanish as well. I got to work in a Spanish environment and increase my resume too. It was really worth it once I left Madrid and was at a Career Showcase. So many of the companies were interested at how my internship was in Spain. It helped me stand out and become a more unique individual. In every way, this was a great experience. Inside and outside of the internship, I made sure to make the most of the program. The only annoying thing with the internship is the price. It was frustrating always having to tell people that I didn't get paid for this internship and that I did all the work for free. I wish the companies were a little more grateful for our work and helped contributed to our stay. It would make me feel a lot more appreciative and allow more people to want to apply to the program.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Eh, going abroad is expensive in general.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The work experience
  • The other international students
  • The tapas and nightlife
* What could be improved?
  • The cost of the program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How important it is to speak Spanish as much as you can.