About Internships

Interning in Madrid: What’s it like?

Your experience in Madrid will undoubtedly be different than any working experience you may have already had in the US. But we hope this is one of your reasons for choosing to work abroad! Madrid is one of the most traditional yet modern cities in Europe with nearly 28% of the population coming from abroad. You will find yourself working along side Spaniards, but also along side people from other parts of Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

Equally, you’re likely to find yourself working with people from Sevilla, Burgos or Santiago – Madrid is the city that has very few real madrileños or gatos (cats) as they are called here. This is the place to work in Spain, and many end up settling into a comfortable life here. Madrid is the center of business and government, the whole country revolves around what happens in this city.

Part of the thrill of an internship abroad will be discovering the differences in how you and your co-workers relate to each other. Besides learning new ways in which people work, you’ll also be exposed to how it is done in another language. You’ll improve your Spanish in the most practical of ways - by communicating daily with your colleagues and everyone around you. In Madrid most people really don’t speak English, but you’ll learn that soon enough! You’ll hopefully return to the States with new perspectives and new ideas about how to negotiate in cross-cultural situations. There are, however, a few key things you should know about Spanish practice when it comes to the workplace in Madrid:

• When greeting people in a professional situation follow the other person’s lead: you may need to shake hands or give two kisses (one on either cheek) if the person you are meeting is female.
• You may find your colleagues more interested in your personal life than you’d expect. It is very common for people to ask each other what they did on the weekend, and to want to know what is happening with your family and friends.
• People are more direct in their comments regarding physical appearance - it is not uncommon for you to get complimented when you look nice, and criticized when you don’t: what can be seen can be spoken about! So don’t take it personally!
• Spaniards are sociable people, they will want to include you in what they do - so take advantage of invitations and learn about their culture.
• Spain has a high context communication culture; meaning that what gets said isn’t the whole message. Learn to read body language and hand movements as well as changes of tone and facial expressions - if you can read these you will get the picture!
• A typical work day is 9-6, with a break at 11 for a second breakfast and lunch at 2 pm or even 3!

All of this does not mean that Spaniards do not work hard – they may simply have a different view of their own work/life balance than in America.

What is business etiquette like in Madrid?

There is no one type of business culture in Madrid. In some there is a clear hierarchy of command, while in others there is a horizontal set up where even the cleaning lady gets to share her opinion! As for the type of work you’ll be doing, the same great difference is applicable. In some cases you’ll be given clear guidelines of what to do each day, while in others you’ll have a project to complete. In either case it is important you ask questions if you don’t understand what to do or if you need help.  Your supervisors will assume you will ASK for help if you need it.

What should I wear?

We will answer this question with much more detail once we know where you will be placed. It is difficult to make generalizations about this because every placement varies. However, if you are working in a formal setting (i.e. an Embassy or Real Estate firm) you should bring at least one suit and several dress shirts and ties. A sports jacket or blazer will work as well. In other, more casual placements (i.e. an NGO or Marketing firm) khaki trousers, skirts (for women), and sweaters or dress shirts should be fine. Make sure you ask about this if we haven’t told you by the time you leave.

What are the typical hours for an intern?

Again, this is a difficult question to generalize - you will work whatever hours are asked of you, and this will be vastly different for different industries (a financial analyst will work much longer hours than a person in a think tank, for example). These hours are non-negotiable and will be expected by the employer and the placement office. Generally speaking, office hours in Madrid are 9-6, with an hour for lunch, generally taken between 2-3.  But if you have a customer-oriented placement you will have commercial working hours: from 10 to 2 and from 5 to 8.

Will I have one particular supervisor at my placement?

The placement team will make every effort to make sure you know who your direct supervisor will be. This is usually ONE person who will be responsible for you for the entire duration of your placement. This is the person you will go to when you need help, have concerns, or simply need a new assignment. This person may not be the office manager and in fact, may be in a junior position him/herself. You may find that you are not far off in age to your direct supervisor – this is common – Madrid is a young city!

If you have a problem with your direct supervisor, it is best to speak with him or her, do not go to their direct supervisor to get your concerns addressed. However, it is advisable to speak to a member of the placement team before you do so as we may be able to provide assistance or another point of contact in the company.

How far can I expect to commute?

Most placements will be centrally located in Zone A and are easily accessible by Metro or bus (or even by walking, if you’re lucky!). A typical Madrid commute can be anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour  - remember this is a BIG city! Occasionally, placements will be outside these zones, either in B1 or B2 and will require taking the cercanías, Madrid’s commuter train. We will inform you if this will be the case.

Your internship will be different

A work placement (“internship” is an American word) in Madrid will open you up to a different working style, work culture, and work experiences. In order to get the most out of your time learning there, take note of these points:

• To the Spanish, a work experience is to give you a taste of working life.  You may not necessarily have a specific project to work on but may be expected to help out with day-to-day tasks. This said, supervisors may not work out a specific schedule for students.
• Businesses require varying levels of fluency in Spanish. Certain fields such as journalism may only take very advanced speakers.
• Sometimes you are given more responsibilities than you would expect for a work experience student.  Treat this as an opportunity to try the real world. At all times, think about what you’re gaining from the culture as well as from the internship.
• Like any job, all placements will have an element of clerical tasks to them. By proving that you can handle the small stuff, the doors will open to greater projects and greater growth. A lot of the learning will be achieved through your own initiative.
• Only so much can be achieved during a short-term placement. Push yourself to learn at all times.
• Your placement is unpaid.
• Do not get fixed on working within glamour industries or specific organization. You’ll be placed based on your career goals, not on the name of an organization. There are certain realities to working within fields like fashion and entertainment - they only become glamorous at the highest level.
• Your placement should not be looked on as a means of gaining future employment but as a chance to confirm that you are going in the right direction (or that you should try something else), and most importantly, it’s a time to make mistakes, laugh, and learn.

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