INTERNSHIP FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1) Should I participate in an Internship or a Volunteer Program?
2) Can I do an Internship with no Spanish knowledge?
3) Why should I write my Rrsume and letter of intention in Spanish?
4) How can I find what is best for me, either a Customized or a Standard Internship?
5) How long does the application process last?
6) What happens if we dont find a placement for you?
7) Can I take a Spanish course and do my Internship at the same time?
8) What do host companies expect from interns?
9) How do I find Accommodation?
10) Can I contact my host company before travelling?
11) Is Catalan spoken at my host company in Barcelona?
1) Should I participate in an Internship or a Volunteer Program?
The main differences between both programs are the field knowledge required and the Spanish level required. To participate in an internship placement you need to have studied in the field you are going to work at or have experience. Remember that each host company specifies its own placement requirements. In a volunteer placement no previous knowledge is required.
Volunteer projects are almost exclusively parts of non-profit organizations working predominantly in the social area. Internship placements are in all areas at national and international companies. Generally, Internship participants are junior or senios, graduates or have had professional experience in the field.
2) Can I do an Internship with no Spanish knowledge?
The success of your Internship depends essentially on your Spanish knowledge. Participants must show at least an intermediate level to become an intern. Advanced Spanish levels are sometimes required for specific placements. We recommend to take a Spanish course before starting any placement. Remember that the more Spanish you know, the more responsabilities you are going to get and the more successfull your placement will be.
3) Why should I write my Rrsume and letter of intention in Spanish?
This is a good way to practice your Spanish while we get to review your language level. Always keep in mind that we may translate your papework for you but this may delay the application process.
4) How can I find what is best for me, either a Customized or a Standard Internship?
Start by checking all the available Standard Internships. If you don't find your ideal placement or you need a more specific placement, then contact us and let us know about your demands as accurate as possible. We will do an internal search for you and make sure there aren't any Standard Placements that might fit your criteria. If there arent, you should sign up for a Customized Internship.
5) How long does the application process last?
We set 8 weeks, starting from the moment you register and the pre-payment reaches us. Anyway, we can already confirm your application after 1-4 weeks. This time is for us to find the right placement for you. We want to assure that your profile and requirements fit those of the organization.
6) What happents if we dont find a placement for you?
It rarely happens that we don't find a placement for our participants. Keep in mind that when you apply you select 3 possible placements in order of priority. We will try to confirm the first placement and if thats not possible then go to the second placement and so on. We have a network with a variety of companies and if there is a company that no longer offers a placement we have available, we normally contact a similar company from our partner companies and get an alternative placement.
Once you apply you will know within 1 week if your placement would be possible or not. If it isn't you will receive a full refund including application fee.
7) Can I take a Spanish course and do my Internship at the same time?
This is possible if you already have an intermediate level of Spanish. Your language course will have to be coordinated with your working hours at the host company.
8) What do host companies expect from interns?
This varies according to the area where the organization works. Generally you will be asked to be interested on learning and be ready to integrate yourself to the working life of the enterprise. How much responsibility you can take over as an intern mostly depends on your personal abilities and Spanish knowledge.
As a foreign intern you will bring to the organization more than you imagine. The firm gets not only new ideas but also different working methods and approaches proper from your culture back home. You will extend their knowledge over international perceptions.
9) How do I find Accommodation?
You may reserve accommodation with us. Options available are at student residences, host families, shared apartments and shared flats depending on the location. All of them can have shared or private rooms and meals can also be included in some. You choose what best suits your requirements.
10) Can I contact my host company before travelling?
The first contact with the host company should always take place in presence of your tutor.
11) Is Catalan spoken at my host company in Barcelona?
Catalan is the co-official language of Catalonia, the provice where Barcelona is located. You will hear catalan spoken on the street and at businesses but nearly everyone also speaks Spanish. Your internship placement will be in Spanish and your cooworkers will speak in Spanish to you.
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