Ilse D.
Ilse is a 21-year old student Worcester State University student who took her internship with us through our Intern in Barcelona program.
What classes did you take while abroad?
While I was abroad I did an internship at BEdeluxe, a start-up internet company that specialized in luxury discount goods, services and experiences. It was a small office of less than twenty employees and a young office, launched in May of 2011.
What was your favorite class and why?
My favorite thing about my internship was the experience that I was able to get while working in the marketing department. I loved being able to strengthen my Spanish skills with my co-workers and learning what it was like to work in a foreign country, while also learning the ins and outs of marketing. It was cool to see how such a young company goes about day to day business and seeing some of my translations on the website was an awesome feeling!
What type of accommodation did you have? Did you like it?
While in Barcelona I stayed in a two bedroom apartment with international students. I really liked living in the apartment; it gave me a sense of independence and allowed me to learn about the city as well as other international students. I spent a semester in Valencia with a host family, so it was nice to see the other aspect of living abroad.
What do you miss the most about your host country?
The thing I miss most about my host country is the culture. It is so different in Spain and I love the way they stress the importance of family and friends over there. Barcelona is such an interesting city with so much to offer culturally, and I really miss waking up every day and learning something new about the amazing city. Food is definitely a close second!
What was your most challenging travel experience?
Some of my friends and I went to Amsterdam for a weekend getaway and were supposed to meet my Uncle at the airport. He had sent a driver to pick us up and told us where to go, but when we arrived the driver was nowhere in sight! None of us knew the address of the hotel we were staying at and were getting very worried after we called to see where the driver was and he still was not there. Luckily after about a half hour of searching, we found him and arrived at the hotel safely. For the time it was scary feeling stranded in a foreign country not knowing where we were supposed to go!
What are five things you packed that you wish you hadn't?
My hair dryer, hair straightener, hair products, high heels and towels
What are five things you didn’t pack that you wish you had?
MONEY, books, rain gear, medicine, a fan
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Given the chance, I would go back to Barcelona in a heartbeat! I wish I had more semesters left in college because I would definitely go abroad again. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I miss it everyday. I was able to learn a lot about the great city of Barcelona, and also a lot about myself as well. Interning abroad has opened up a lot of doors for my future and I am so thankful I was lucky enough to experience it!
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