Beyond Expectations Past Review

By (University of Cape Town) - abroad from 06/03/2017 to 07/15/2017 with

The Intern Group: Madrid Internship Placement Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
In summary I gained a lifetime lesson on team value, work conduct, a lesson on the key challenges and rewards of the corporate world, I gained responsibility and the confidence to dive into the business world assertively.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The hosts of the Intern Group were EXTREMELY helpful and available whenever I tried contacting them. And this was not only to program related issues but question sin general that I had about the town, entertainment etc...

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

There is a wide variety of foods/meals available all across town including raw foods as well if one opted to cook at home, there was a vast range of meats, seafood to choose from in supermarkets. I had fun eating both in and outdoors.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I have absolutely nothing to complain about the local culture in Barcelona. Being so far away from home one, one often feels out of their comfort zone for the initial weeks but I felt the warmth of the local people and very well welcomed.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Very quickly, as the one time I became sick and messaged the program administrators in the early hours of the morning she managed to quickly contact my company on my behalf.

* Safety:

I used the Metro most of the time to work and I would have thought that this would be the one place where I would feel relatively unsafe...but everything was very tranquil and people are always willing to help.

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

I arrived to the program with certain expectations and although I realized within the first weeks that my tasks did not involve what I had imagined it would, I realized within the second week the tremendous corporate experiences that I was gaining already which was beyond the scope of my expectations. And although towards the end, I started doing exactly what I imagined I would have, I realized that I would have not managed to understand my company and and successfully perform my desired tasks without the initial tasks/preparations that took place. All in all, the Company and team I worked with knew their work and were very welcoming and helpful.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make a list of all you think you may need prior to your arrival. Do not buy everything as soon as you arrive. Get to know a few supermarkets/shops where you will be purchasing your grosseries to get a feel of the prices before you start your shopping spree. This will allow you to create a proper budget during your stay. Don't forget to budget for trips for the lovely towns around you.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? GCSE Spanish
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Start with Duolingo app a few months or weeks before arriving

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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Team value
  • Challenge
  • Difference
* What could be improved?
  • Contactand organise with companies prior to interns' arrival' to ensure that at least some of the expectations of the interns are achieved and their roles the positions their given in the real world, as I believe that it's possible that some interns may have left the program without fulfilling their goals.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Exactly what my tasks would be and the frequency by which I would need to perform each of these tasks as well as the stages. As mentioned previously, I started to perform the tasks I expected I would have towards the end (which was beneficial as I had already gotten a good feel of the company), however at some stages I felt clueless as I wondered whether this was ever going to be reached.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.