Internships in Madrid - Adelante Abroad

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 makes interning in Madrid a unique experience for participants?

Antonio: This is the crown jewel of the Adelante Intern Abroad programs, the longest running and with the most participating companies and degree fields represented. Our team is seasoned – I am born and raised in Madrid and have been with Adelante for 10 years, the Director of Programs, for 13 years. What is unique is simple to answer: We treat the candidates with respect, professionalism and care.

What can you tell us about the workplace culture in Madrid?

Antonio: Interns will be given a good orientation to help them assimilate and there are definitely cultural differences! (For example, it is expected that you might arrive late some days, due to traffic or metro issues, and it is also expected that you will stay late some days if a project delays or there is more work to be done by a deadline.) There is a great desire to intern in corporations here as it has been proven that it is a “bridge” to full time work later on.

What level of Spanish proficiency should interns have when considering this internship?

Antonio: For shorter term programs (1 to 3 months): Low intermediate at very minimum, and use the first weeks in the included Intensive Spanish Language module to get to solid intermediate. For longer term programs, (5 to 6 months): A lower level is acceptable since the company knows that as time goes on your level will improve dramatically since you are living and working in Spain, using public transport, shopping, going to the bank, out at night, etc., it is automatic! Prior work experience is not required, however in some fields like engineering or law, that should be what the field of Studies is at university level.

What are some extra-curricular activities participants enjoy while interning in Madrid?

Antonio & Angel: Madrid is the epicenter and heart of Spain, so very easy to get most anywhere now. Viajes a Toledo, Segovia, Ávila y visitas a los museos de Madrid are some examples of included excursions and activities. City tours, tapas tours and the very popular Lunch with your Teacher – all take place during the first two weeks of the program, before the internship starts.

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

Antonio: That you are demanding of yourself during this time. That you focus your interest on things like punctuality, being a grand observer with questions always ready, that you are willing to do some small jobs to perfection knowing that this will earn your way to bigger projects later on & making an effort to become friends with and part of the team at your work assignment.

Anything else you would like to share?

Antonio & Angel: Madrid welcomes interns! It is a city of many cultures and thought processes, open to new and also loving the old. Interns that are the most successful are those that come to work, not just to vacation, and know the connection between the cost of this to them & their family and the value it can give them, if they do it right, for future work/career prospects.