Enrica F.
Non-Profit InternshipAbsolute Internship|Madrid
Now studying Master's in Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid at SciencesPo
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Non-Profit
Italy
Master's in Human Rights and Humanitarian AidSciencesPo
My name is Enrica, I am originally from Italy but I completed my Bachelor's Degree in Politics and International Affairs in the U.S. I interned with Absolute in the summer of 2025 in Madrid, Spain. Interning in the nonprofit industry helped me discover my passion for it and shaped my career goals.
Enrica is a former student and verified Absolute Internship ambassador
Why Enrica chose this path
“Since I started college, I've always been interested in human rights, international relations, and advocating for social justice. Interning in the nonprofit industry seemed the best fit for my interests and career goals.””
How I got in
I knew I wanted to experience living in Spain since I had visited the country before. Additionally, I wanted to improve my Spanish fluency. So when I had to decide between Barcelona and Madrid, I asked the Absolute team for their feedback and Madrid turned out to be the best fit for my interests and internship opportunities.
Top tips for getting accepted
Flexibility and enthusiasm would be my top tips for anyone interested in joining the program. Apply to intern abroad with an open mindset, knowing you will eventually come across challenges and be willing to learn from these moments. :)
What Enrica wishes they knew
Things I wish I knew before starting
The work culture is very different in each country you intern in. In Spain, for example, it's pretty laid back (at least from my experience). My coordinator was very flexible with the hours I was working every week, and she even allowed some remote days where I could work from home and then visit the city. However, this can vary depending on the country and industry that you choose, so it's good to prepare a bit beforehand.
The hardest part
The hardest part for me was adjusting to the language and try to speak as much Spanish as I could. I realized the locals are much nicer and welcoming if you make an effort (even a few words) to speak the local language instead of asking things in English straight away and expecting them to help you out in a foreign language. This was hard at the beginning but surely rewarding.
The best decision I made
Getting out of my comfort zone and interning abroad!!!
What it's actually like
A typical day
I would wake up every morning around 8:00 am, get ready, and head to breakfast in the cafeteria of my residence together with some other students from the program. Around 9 am, I would start walking to the metro stop, which was about 10 minutes from my apartment. In just a 30-minute commute, I would get to the association where I was interning, greet all my coworkers, and start completing the tasks assigned by my coordinator. Around 11:30 am we would all meet in the communal area and have a snack together to chat and just take a short break from work (such a nice habit). My day in the office would end pretty much always around 2:30-3 pm, and then I could either go back to my house or go around the city and grab something for lunch (yes, Spanish people do have lunch this late). The afternoons would be very different depending on what I felt like doing: I could meet up with some friends, visit the city, go shopping, or take naps :) At night, I would get dinner together with my friends participating in the program, and then we would often go get ice cream before going to sleep and rest to be ready for the next day.
Topics Enrica can help with
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