Why did you decide to intern abroad with Adelante in Madrid?

Lexie: I just graduated college in May and was going into law school this fall and they had an internship in the legal field in Madrid so that was the perfect time and opportunity for me. I had already been to Madrid and am proficient in Spanish so I wanted to go back there over other options.

What made this experience unique and special?

Lexie: I lived in a huge apartment with my own room with university students my age and had no host family so I was really independent. Also, I got to know my coworkers really well and converse with them in Spanish and see what they could teach me about the law and life. This experience was already beyond what I could have gained from say taking university classes abroad with students I may already know and be tempted to speak English with.

How has this experience impacted your future?

Lexie: This is the best thing I could put on my resume and the best summer of my life. I gained so many friends and contacts from the experience and maybe a possible job opportunity later on. I became more independent. It took my Spanish to a higher level.

What was the highlight of your experience?

Lexie: Thanks in part to my coworkers, I got to attend a few great events with locals that a tourist would never know about…I attended a Spanish-speaking theater production that a fellow coworker was a part of in Lavapies (a very non-tourist neighborhood of Madrid) Bernabeu stadium (Real Madrid stadium) for an after work party with cocktails and DJs.

What is one piece of advice you would offer someone considering interning abroad in Madrid?

Lexie: Save up your money and do it. No questions asked. Do whatever it takes to make it happen.

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory is actually going abroad with Adelante Abroad in 2018. When I was was going into my senior year in college, I decided to take the leap to travel to Barcelona, Spain for 2 months and intern with a social media marketing company. In college, I was very soft spoken and had a hard time meeting people because I was shy. I completely broke out of my shell during this trip. The internship I was placed in allowed me to be creative and I was also able to travel on the weekends. I visited a couple other countries during this trip abroad. Because of Adelante Abroad, I was able to learn new skills in marketing, met some incredible friends that I still talk to today, and eventually started my own social media marketing business.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

This company has completely helped me grow as a marketer. I have expanded my skills from not just social media but to website development, creating marketing systems, email marketing, and blog creation. I now have an intern of my own at this company allowing me to grow as a leader. I also feel like this company allows me to present new ideas and run with them. Adelante Abroad is ever evolving so if feedback is given, change is made.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Over the time I've worked here, I have heard countless lifechanging stories. One of the best stories that I have recently heard is from one of our students that went abroad to Oaxaca, Mexico in fall 2024. This person was placed at a restaurant for her internship where she helped design new menus, created murals, designed packaging for food, and also met new friends along the way. During her 3 month internship, she had other businesses in Mexico reach out to her for her work where she made other murals and package designs allowing her to expand her portfolio and resume. I think the best part about this story is she was able to create new business just by doing what she loved.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

Okay this is a hard question. There are a few programs that I would want to be a part of. If I had to choose one, I think I would go with the Summer Study Abroad Golf in Scotland Program. This program is one month long and our candidates get to golf at/ visit world renowned golf courses in the place where the sport originated. Because this is a study abroad program, these students can get college credit for 2 classes in just one month while playing the sport they love. They also learn skills like coaching golf to students during their time abroad. I would love to travel with other students who love golf as well and play on some breathtaking courses.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Adelante Abroad is unique because our programs are very independent. There is not much hand holding so you are able to truly get a sense of independence by the end of the program. Students do not have scheduled excursions during the whole program that they are forced to attend (there are some but they are not mandatory) which I love because it gives students the freedom to explore what they want. Additionally, our programs are some of the most cost effective study and intern abroad programs on the market and we have internships in almost any sector. I was especially proud of my team when we got feedback from multiple students who went abroad with us saying that this was one of the best experiences of their life.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I think the biggest factor in being a successful company is listening and evolving. If a company stays the same, they are not keeping up with the changing world. At Adelante Abroad, we are constantly adding new programs, we listen to feedback given by students who are on or have been on our trips, and we make changes and adjustments where needed. We keep in mind new applicants and think about how our programs can be altered to benefit people applying.