Why did you choose this program?
I choose this program because I was keen to kickstart my career while having a fun adventure. Aside from the stunning architecture and food readily available in Madrid; this program provided a unique opportunity to immerse myself in a completely different environment and gain a better sense of myself personally and professionally.
What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
The people at Absolute Internship were a great help in finding a host organisation to work for and throughout the onboarding process; talking with them through the process certainly helped me stay on track and excited!
On my own I had to provide an updated CV and portfolio of work to demonstrate my capabilities. More importantly I also had to organise my travel itinerary!
On my own I had to provide an updated CV and portfolio of work to demonstrate my capabilities. More importantly I also had to organise my travel itinerary!
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
Just go. That’s the one piece of advice I always give to people considering opportunities like this program, you can learn a lot about yourself.
Taking this into account don’t just expect a change in location to affect you because it will be over before you know it. Be mindful of the new culture and respect them, your in their home now while being a representative of your own country.
Taking this into account don’t just expect a change in location to affect you because it will be over before you know it. Be mindful of the new culture and respect them, your in their home now while being a representative of your own country.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
A typical day for me would involve waking up and getting ready for work, a morning coffee and then a short commute to work via metro.
During the day I’d work on various tasks relating to projects the firm had ongoing, always getting advice and feedback from my colleagues who also provided mentoring in Spanish architectural practise.
Later in the evening I’d cook dinner and catch up with the others in my program at the accomodation.
During the day I’d work on various tasks relating to projects the firm had ongoing, always getting advice and feedback from my colleagues who also provided mentoring in Spanish architectural practise.
Later in the evening I’d cook dinner and catch up with the others in my program at the accomodation.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
I’d say my biggest fear was a sense of imposter syndrome. Considering I had recently graduated uni at the time with limited prior experience I was unsure about heading into practise full time and how to actually put theory into practise.
To overcome this I’d remind myself that since I’m on the program I actually am qualified enough. During work I’d always ask my colleagues for advice and help, especially when language needed translating!
To overcome this I’d remind myself that since I’m on the program I actually am qualified enough. During work I’d always ask my colleagues for advice and help, especially when language needed translating!
What is your favourite story to tell from your time overseas?
My favourite moment would Definitely be one day when it just clicked that I actually am capable of working. I was talking with a colleague and the way she said it made me realise that although I’m only at the start of my career, I’m quite a capable “arquitecto”.
Later that night I was quite fortunate to see Real Madrid play at the Bernabeu with a mate and the atmosphere was incredible, I’ve never experienced any crowd roaring like that and I’ll never forget it.