For my STEP Signature Project, I took part in the Office of Global Business’s summer internship abroad in Madrid, Spain. This program allowed me to spend the summer interning with a business abroad, while also receiving the opportunity to experience working in a whole new environment and enjoying diverse cultures and people.
As a result of participating in this summer internship, I gained a deeper understanding of a fascinating culture, while also exploring outside of my comfort zone and developing my ability to adapt to new environments. This experience was transforming, in that I previously never had the chance to leave the country and explore the world. With the 8 weeks that I spent in Spain, I was able to experience the passionate Flamenco dance, traditional Spanish paella, and the environment in which Spaniards take part in business. Upon my arrival at Interserve, the Spanish company I interned with for 8 weeks, I immediately felt out of place and shocked by the culture I was stepping in to. However, as I spent more time appreciating the differences between our cultures, I was able to interact with my coworkers more comfortably and learn more from them. On top of this, I realized from this experience that I have the ability to adjust to new environments and situations if I just give it time and my patience.
The Royal Palace of Madrid
Madrid, Spain Intern Outing
Throughout my time in Madrid, I took part in multiple activities that led me to be more confident in my ability to adapt to new environments and made me aware of culture differences between people. Perhaps most influential in my transformation is the opportunity I had to be independent and completely responsible for myself in a country thousands of miles from home. Although an unfortunate experience, I was admitted to a hospital in Madrid for food poisoning that I had received during my stay. Although this situation is not necessarily something I like to remember, being without my parents or close friends in a foreign country allowed me the opportunity to be mature and take care of myself. On top of this unexpected event, there was also another mishap that challenged me to be mature and responsible. Upon a technical error with my train ticket from Valencia on a weekend excursion, I was left with no way to get home to Madrid on a Sunday evening for work the next day. By remaining calm and patient, I was able to find an alternative transportation back to Madrid, that although took much longer and a lot of stress, allowed me to return to work the next day. By being forced to react to unpredictable situations on my own, I gained more confidence in my ability to take serious matters and responsibility into my own hands.
In addition to these events, I also formed relationships with my classmates that I had never met before that I imagine will have a lasting effect. Going into this program with one close friend, but leaving with 25 new close friends, has allowed me to see my capacity to branch out and interact with a diverse group of people. Although it may seem like a simple achievement, it is not always easy to get along harmoniously with others for 2 months; however, I found this internship abroad a great opportunity to meet and get to know new people. Moreover, I spent 8 weeks in Madrid, Spain becoming accustomed to the business atmosphere that my company worked in and getting to know a small group of people who lived quiet differently from myself and even spoke a different language. This was no easy task, as it took time and patience to feel comfortable attempting to use a language I was not completely fluent in and socializing with people very different from myself.
Perhaps the most exciting for my experience in Spain were the activities and tours that I partook in throughout my time abroad. In order to completely divulge myself in the Spanish culture and get the most out of this project, I spent my time trying traditional Spanish meals, seeing historically rich monuments and museums, and traveling to Spanish cities on the weekends. Without the Office of Global Business’s program that allowed me to live in Spain for 8 weeks and intern at a Spanish company, I would not have had the chance to take part in this truly once in a lifetime opportunity.
This transformation that I see in myself as a result of this project is important, professionally and personally, for many reasons. Perhaps most importantly, I now have the confidence to take responsibility and handle things with patience and calmness. Furthermore, I have developed confidence in my ability to socialize and communicate with others who may be different from myself. These are significant transformations because I will face situations in my professional career in which I am expected to handle important matters diligently and responsibly, while also working in a group environment with coworkers who may be unlike myself, but necessary in order to carry out our work efficiently. Overall, the STEP Project that I completed this summer has been one of the most transforming, satisfying, and truly extraordinary experiences that I will ever have the pleasure to partake in.
Thank you for sharing. It does seem as though you experienced a large amount of personal growth during this opportunity. Glad STEP could be a part of this learning experience for you.