Adelante Abroad - Internships in Madrid
Adelante International Internship Programs in Madrid provide candidates with the opportunity to improve Spanish language skills while living and interning in Spain alongside native Spaniards. Programs begin with 2 weeks of intensive Spanish classes followed by participation in an internship in your chosen field - eg. business, tourism, teaching, social work, sports and many more. Housing is your own room in a shared apartment in Madrid. Independent-minded candidates will thrive in this program where you truly get to experience the real Spanish life.
Five reasons to intern with us!
Reviews
90%Overall
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90%Overall
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I have just returned from a two month stay in Madrid. Overall, I had a very good time. The language school
is one of the best I have ever attended, and the teachers and the director are always helpful and friendly. I was staying in an apartment in the same building as the school, in a very good location just five minutes from Puerta de Sol, which is the very centre of Madrid. The apartment was nice, and any problem was fixed quickly by the staff. I was also very happy that I could have friends staying with me for a couple of days.
After two weeks of language classes, I started my internship with a Psychiatrist and his team. It was a very good experience, both personally and professionally. Everybody was very nice, trying to make me feel welcome, and helping me with language problems. It was of course a bit daunting at first, but in the end I was very sorry to leave. I got to sit in during therapy sessions, and also to talk to patients myself while they waited or did some tests etc. The Doctor was always happy to explain things and I learned a lot, especially on CBT and pharmacotherapy. I think it s a valuable experience for anyone wanting to go into counseling psychology, but I think a good Spanish level is important so you can communicate with the patients, and you need to be prepared to adjust to the rhythm of the 'Consulta'. Not all patients are comfortable to have others around during the sessions, so there can be quite some time spend waiting around, and the working hours are irregular.
My tip would be to read some of the Doctor's books before going, it's very helpful.
As to the city, I have been to Madrid many times already, and love the place, it's beautiful, people are great, and there is lots to do. I would definitively recommend this program.
Critical Feedback:
100%Overall
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My internship in Madrid consisted of working in a private clinic with a very well known psychiatrist and his team of psychologists and psychiatrists. On a daily basis, I observed patients in sessions with the doctors, I learned how to do introductory diagnostic consults, I learned how to administer diagnostic tests, and learned all of the treatments given to the patietns (pharmocotherapy, behavioral cognitive therapy, etc.). An experience like this would never exist in the U.S. for a student who has not yet received their license to practice psychology. I was so lucky to have had this opportunity! This experience was unbelievable and totally exciting. I was lucky enough to work with some really great people that were really helpful - since Spanish is not my first language. This program is definitely meant for an advanced Spanish speaking intern. It was still difficult and tiring at times, but definitely an experience that really helped my Spanish speaking and listening skills. It was a great chance to practice both psychology and Spanish all together!
100%Overall
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I don't even know how to go about beginning to describe my experience interning abroad in Madrid. It was literally the most amazing experience of my life, so much so that I extended my stay there for an additional three months! Initially I began working for a publicity company outside of the city in Pinar de las Rosas. My time working for Alcandora was great - I learned a lot about marketing and advertising which was all knew to me. For the second three months I worked for a market research company where I translated presentations about specific new products companies were introducing to the public. this portion of my stay really helped me tune into learning more Spanish which I really loved. The best part of my experience, however, was all of the amazing, ambitious and flat-out awesome people that I met. It's been over a year since I moved to Madrid and I still speak to about 10 people internationally every week. In fact, some of my old roommates have even come to visit me in Washington D.C. where I'm currently living and working. I have recommended this program to so many of my friends and coworkers and I know they've all been really interested in living abroad after hearing about my time in Madrid. (best city on earth, by the way).
90%Overall
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I was a little unsure of what I was getting myself into when I decided to go, but it turned out to be amazing. The language school was a really good refresher, and my roommate and the other people who came at the same time were a really great support system/social crew. We also took advantage of the trips through Forocio to go to Cadiz and other cities nearby, which I highly recommend. Basically, have fun!
80%Overall
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-the relationship with the spanish language school is FANTASIC
-the living conditions were good but people should be placed with just boys/girls and maybe even by age - we also had problems in our appartment about cleanliness!!
-internships were useful but we could have been given more to do
-locations are great
-support is always available and the people care about the students
100%Overall
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After studying abroad in college, I searched for a company to help me find an Internship in Madrid, Spain a few years later. Adelante was able to quickly find me a law firm internship in a safe place, and match me with a local to live with. I was placed in a central location next to a metro stop (Gran Via) in a nice apartment with a friendly roommate. I signed up for four months and the rate seemed reasonable to me. Although the price has probably gone up, it was about 1,000 a month a few years ago, which included airport pickup, two weeks of language classes, internship placement, and rent. I made friends with some other Americans who were in the program and traveled with them across Europe. All in all, I thought the support was good and the placement was a great fit. The people I worked for in Madrid were kind, patient, and even helped me find another internship where I worked a few years later. I would recommend Adelante to anyone looking for international experience and some help getting an internship abroad.
90%Overall
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I love everything about Madrid, the people, the culture, the work mentality. If you need a change, I highly suggest this city. I have been virtually everywhere in Europe, and Madrid is one of the best!
100%Overall
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Adelante Abroad was a great experience. I was there from October 2010 till December, which as I write this was one year ago and not a day goes by I don't think of my experience in Madrid. It was more then just an internship. It was a chance to learn a language, live with peers from all over the world, and experience a new culture. I did have a few problems regarding my co-workers at my internship but Adelante was very supportive. I recommend this program to anyone who just graduated and want to experience something new abroad while still building their resume. One of the best choices i've made.
100%Overall
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My main reason for choosing Adelante was because their program was the only one that let me decide all the details of my trip. I could choose the style of living I wanted, the type of internship, and the time I stayed. Their staff is not only knowledgeable, but extremely personable.
The interview process assists them in placing you in an appropriate internship. My job placement was perfect FOR ME and that is why Adelante is such a great program. Other Adelante interns that I met during the first two weeks of classes (and am still friends with today) had great experiences with their internships as well. One even got paid and another was offered an internship extension!!
My living arrangement was fantastic! I had a large, and spacious (for Madrid standards) apartment that I shared with 3 other wonderful roommates. All respectful and kind.
Adelante takes care of most all logistics for you, but once in your country of choice- it's up to you. The program encourages independence with a support if you need it. If you're a go-getter, this is a great option for you!
100%Overall
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If I was 26 again and had to choose a program Adelante would be my number one choice! If there was any kind of issue or program they were resolved in the most profesional manor and was a true joy from start to finish!! Madrid is an amazing city and would repeat the experience again without a doubt!!
Alumni Interviews
Meet Ian Fetterolf, Adelante Abroad intern alum
GO: Why did you decide to intern with Adelante Abroad in Madrid?
Ian: I began taking Spanish classes in 7th grade and loved it from the start. I immediately knew that I wanted my future career to somehow involve travel and the ability to speak a foreign language. What made that idea concrete, however, was four years later when I decided to participate in a two-week exchange program with Spanish high school students from Madrid. It was my first trip to Europe, and to say I fell in love with it would be a major understatement. After high school, I enrolled at a small liberal arts school in Florida and chose to double major in International Relations and Spanish. This, fortunately, presented me with the opportunity to study abroad for two consecutive summers in Madrid, taking courses at an intensive language institute in the heart of the city. Madrid truly began to feel like home for me. The people, the food, the architecture and laid-back lifestyle all fascinated me. Plus, who doesn't want to sleep in and get to take a siesta every afternoon? So, after graduating from college in 2010, I began searching for a way to return to Madrid where my journey first started. I hoped to find a program that would allow me to improve the fluency of my Spanish and garner some foreign work experience. Adelante turned out to be exactly the program I was looking for.
GO: Describe your day to day activities as an intern.
Ian: Working in Madrid was definitely an interesting experience in that the laid-back Spanish work attitude was something very different from what we are accustomed to in the United States. I initially began working as a research analyst at one of the largest and most reputable publicity companies in Spain. Although my job required a lot of tedious work, the office atmosphere and my coworkers were so relaxed that it was virtually stress-free. On a typical day I would wake and up and get ready around 9:00 AM, grab a cafe cortado at a local restaurant and hop on the metro to the Chamartin train station in the north of the city. From there, I would take a 40-minute train ride to a small town called Pinar de las Rosas where my office was headquartered. The commute to work would take a little over an hour, but the scenic train ride through beautiful countryside made it pass in no time. As an intern, I worked from 10:30 to 2:30 and then took the train back into Madrid.
For the second part of my stay in Madrid I worked as a market researcher and translator for a global consulting company. My new job required me to work the same hours as before, but was conveniently located within walking distance from my apartment. This meant that I was fortunate enough to have nearly an entire day to meet up with friends and explore the city after work. Madrid has an endless array of museums and parks to visit (like El Museo del Prado, La Reina Sofia and El Parque del Retiro), new and delicious restaurants to try and tons of friendly and interesting locals to meet. There was never a dull moment during my stay. Typically, my roommates and I would make dinner together at home on weeknights and dine out in our favorite neighborhoods, or barrios, on the weekends. For those of you considering studying or interning in Madrid, I would recommend checking out La Latina, Serrano or Chueca as great places to grab a drink or tapas with friends. Honestly, though, I would try to explore as many new places as possible. Madrid is amazing in that it's Spain's most populous city but doesn't feel so large that it's overwhelming. Plus, their public transportation system is clean, easy and inexpensive which makes getting around a breeze.
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Ian: Interning abroad through Adelante was easily one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself both personally and professionally. In Madrid, I made some amazing friendships and met some incredible people that I know will be a part of my life forever. It's sad to think we're all so far away from each other now, but at least I have a great excuse to visit them in some fascinating places like London, Edinburgh, Budapest, Melbourne, Berlin, Milan and San Francisco just to name a few! It's awesome to think I have so many friends all over the world. I learned so much from all of the remarkable people I got to know in Madrid and I wouldn't trade the opportunity to have had met them for the world. My experience with Adelante has also directly affected my professional life.
I knew that once I returned to the U.S. I wanted to take a job that would allow me to continue using my Spanish speaking skills. I did some research and got into contact with a really amazing Non-Profit in Washington, D.C. called the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). Ultimately, my overseas work experience and Spanish speaking ability helped me land a job with them as the only non-native speaker in the office. Here, I am part of an amazing and dedicated team of researchers and writers who are currently working on a national campaign entitled Trabajadoras. This campaign focuses on confronting labor issues that Latina workers in the United States are facing today by educating the public and providing policy recommendations for legislation concerning immigration and worker's rights. (If you`re interested in following our work progress or joining the cause you can at www.lclaa.org!) This job has also presented me with the really cool and rare opportunity to be a published author. I honestly don't know if I would be in this fortunate position had I not decided to work abroad. Interning through Adelante has helped me develop professionally and establish some amazing connections and friendships all over the world. I can't stress enough how life-changing this experience has been for me. Adelante has opened so many doors for me and positively changed my perspective on life and work for good. For those of you who are on the fence of deciding whether or not to study or work abroad, I say go for it! You have nothing to lose and literally the WORLD to gain!
Further Info
About Adelante
What were you doing in 1999? That is when Adelante Abroad sent its first candidate to Madrid, Spain, to do an International Internship Program there. She participated in a 6 month program, in a graphic design internship with a mid-sized company and lived, at first, on her own in a great little downtown apartment. By the following month we sent over two more candidates and have never looked back.
Internship, Semester & Summer Study, Teach and Volunteer Abroad programs define our menu of offerings and expertise now. Yes, you have your own room in a central, shared apartment, but meals are typically not included because we want you to grocery shop in your new country. Yes, we have staff on site full time but do they call you every day to check in? Nope. They are there if you need them but are trained to give you space to bump into things, make mistakes and finally find, on your own, how you fit in to your new country & home.
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I had a good experience with Adelante and their program in Madrid. I'll break my experience down to the categories:
Adelante Support Staff: I had to get a visa because I was there for more than 90 days. They were VERY helpful and even gave me a letter saying I had paid for the program (when I still hadn't yet) so that I could get my visa from the consulate in Chicago. They were also good at responding quickly to emails and questions, which is important because they do all their interaction and communication via phone and email.
Housing: I chose the "live with Spaniards" option, which really means living with other international students. That ended up still being nice because we all still spoke Spanish and I got to sample a tiny bit more of European life through them. My flat mates were from France, Belgium, and there was one Spaniard. There were 6 people total and two bathrooms in the unit, each with our own bedroom. One thing I will say is that the housing service (called Aluni) that they use is a bit disorganized. I got WAY overcharged for the housing deposit and it took them awhile to return it. They also claimed I hadn't turned in the keys at the end, which I did, they just hadn't checked the mailbox. You also have to buy your own food at the grocery store, so take that into account in the cost of the program.
Two week Spanish classes: I actually really enjoyed these. You take a test that places you in a certain level and you learn pretty standard grammar, idiomatic phrases, etc. not related to your internship. They also give you a book that you can keep that has literally ALL the grammar rules of Spanish. That was really helpful. I also befriended a lot of other Europeans who were in my class and visited one of them after she returned home to German.
Internship: My unpaid internship was good, not phenomenal, but good. I worked at a law office about 20 minutes away from my flat and did a tax project the whole time. I mostly learned about different income tax rates in 60 different countries. My boss was nice but not around too often. One thing though, most of the people in who worked in the office were German, so they spoke German all the time. There was one guy who spoke fluent Spanish, so I talked with him in Spanish. But the others only spoke German or English, so I had to communicate in English with them. At the end I got a letter of recommendation after asking for one.
Daily Life: After my internship I would always have a new neighborhood or part of the city that I wanted to explore. That was good because by the end I knew so much about the city and where things were. A lot of Spaniards commented that I knew the city/metro/buses better than they did by the end. I also went to language exchanges at coffee shops on certain nights to practice my Spanish even more.
Overall: Overall, I liked the program and would recommend it, but not to everyone. You have to be VERY independent and well organized. If you're someone who's used to people doing stuff for you/structuring things for you then you may find yourself bored simply because you don't know what to do after your internship gets done every day. Also, you have to be outgoing. You can befriend your roommates but if you want to meet Spaniards/have Spanish friends then you have to be willing to go out of your way to meet them, as the program doesn't give you a ton of opportunities to organically meet Spaniards. I joined a free Spanish online dating website, which actually ended up being an excellent way to meet people (not just romance either, you can meet friends too!).
Critical Feedback:
I already talked a lot about this. One thing I forgot is that the beds/pillows aren't the most comfortable. But that's minor.