少女福利

On October 25, Emily Huebel 鈥�26, Aya Rhouat 鈥�26, and Meg Wilk 鈥�26 gathered to talk about their experiences over the summer participating in Saint Michael鈥檚 internship program in Madrid, Spain. The new study abroad opportunity is supported by the Institute for Global Engagement and allows students with advanced language skills in Spanish to participate in the summer internship program while living with homestay families and strengthening their language skills. The Institute for Global Engagement covered the cost of the program, academic credits, airfare, lodging and meals.

(Photo by Izzy Quam ’25)

Huebel spoke in Spanish during the panel discussion to share her experiences, while Rhouat and Wilk spoke in English. A fourth student who participated in the study abroad program in Madrid鈥� Shane Boyd鈥� was was not able to be present because Boyd is studying in Seville, Spain, for the fall semester.听

The students explained their typical day in Madrid. They would go to their internship from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. before attending their classes which began at 5 p.m. The classes were taught in Spanish through Boston University, which helped the students improve their skills.

鈥淭he professor saying 鈥榥o English,鈥� and having to interact with one another in Spanish鈥攑resent in Spanish鈥� that really helped my fluidity,鈥� Wilk said.

The schedule took some getting used to, they said. Dinner in Spain was between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., and the city of Madrid was very busy.

For Huebel, the internship was one of the biggest changes she has experienced. 鈥淚n Spain, there was a lot of observing professionals. I could just learn from what they were doing,鈥� Huebel said. 鈥淚t was a lot different than any internship I鈥檝e had in the U.S. before.鈥�

Huebel worked at a home for people with mental and physical disabilities. She spent time observing different occupations within the home.

Wilk鈥檚 internship was at a nonprofit organization that focused on sports and education for underprivileged kids. For her internship, Rhouat worked with the communications team for an private architectural firm.

For transportation, the students would take the metro to their internships every day, which felt complicated at first but then became familiar and efficient.

鈥淥n the first day we got lost for three hours,鈥� Rhouat joked, 鈥渂ut we figured it out.鈥�

During the weekend, students had the opportunity to travel around Spain. There was a trip offered by Boston University and they also traveled on their own. The students said they never took a weekend off. For long trips they would take the train instead of flying, which was less expensive.

They said the trip not only improved their Spanish skills, but their life skills as well.

鈥淚 became more independent, more responsible for making my own decisions. I learned all these small life skills,鈥� Rhouat shared.

Saint Michael’s is offering the Spanish Internship Program in Madrid again this summer for up to four students. Click here to see the attached flyer, which includes a link to the application. An info session will be happening on Thursday, November 9 at 5:15 p.m. in JEM 166. Saint Michael’s is also offering an equivalent opportunity in Paris, France, this summer for up to two students. Click here to see the attached flyer. Both programs are partnering with Boston University.

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