¡SpainWorks! – Scholarship for Immersive Internships in Spain

• Interning abroad provides many benefits beyond those of general internships. Students can increase their language proficiency; build an international network; develop communication skills with diverse, cross-cultural colleagues; get to know a new work culture, increase their understanding of global issues and trends; and better position themselves for international careers.

• Summer 2024 Internship sites are TBD. More information to come!

• Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for the scholarship:
  • Enrolled undergraduate student at UW-Seattle in good academic standing.
  • Strong and clear interest in conducting an internship in León, Spain during winter quarter.
  • Must be eligible for international travel.
  • Must have intermediate fluency in Spanish (for example, completed Spanish 301 or equivalent).
  • Preference will be given to applicants who have studied or traveled abroad previously or are familiar with living and working in Spain.

• Recipients of the scholarship are required to:
  • Meet with UW Career & Internship Center staff for their program orientation.
  • Notify UW Study Abroad of their travel and complete an Independent Learning Abroad program for credit. (cost covered by the scholarship)
  • Arrange air and ground transportation to Spain. (cost covered by the scholarship)
  • Read and complete the Student International Travel Policy requirements as outlined by the Office of Global Affairs.
  • Enroll in GEN ST 350, our distance learning internship reflection course, during the winter quarter of their internship.
  • Live with a local family in León during the program. (cost covered by the scholarship)
  • Complete a program evaluation survey at the conclusion of their internship experience.

• 6 credits, Gen St 350, Internship Practice & Reflection, Career & Internship Center, UW
• 5 credits, Spanish, Centro de Idiomas, Universidad de Leon
• 1+ credits, Independent Study (student would arrange directly with department or faculty)

After returning from abroad:

• Students will work with their sponsoring faculty and departments to have their academic performance evaluated on their independent study/internship.
• The sponsor will then complete the “upon return” section of the credit verification form.
• Once the completed form is returned to the UW Study Abroad Office, they will post the grades to the student’s transcript and remove FRILA 300.
• The UW Study Abroad Credit Conversion page has more information.

• The total funding package per intern is $6,000.  Approximately $2,500 is spent behind the scenes to cover the Study Abroad Fee, the UW León Center fee, housing costs and language instruction. Interns will also receive approximately $3,500 (split into three installments) disbursed to their student account; this funding is intended to cover air and ground transportation and living expenses while in León. Students are required to purchase UW Student Abroad Insurance during their time in the program ($1.72 per day).

• Applications for the summer 2024 program will open in fall 2023. Here is a preview of likely application questions:
  • Essay question about your interest in conducting an internship in León, Spain and how that relates to your longer-term career goals.
  • Essay question about the available internship(s) why you are interested in the work.
  • Essay question about your familiarity with the Spanish language.
  • Essay question about your experience with traveling or living outside the U.S.
  • Essay question about how conducting an internship abroad during winter quarter would affect your academic trajectory.
  • Current resume
  • Unofficial transcript

  All applicants will be notified of their application status once review is complete.

• Contact Dan Herb at dherb@uw.edu.  If you’re interested in donating to this scholarship program, please go here.

• 
  Name – Paula Thiele
  Major – Communication
  Internship Site – León City Council
  Description of Internship – I interned at the León City Council in the Press office, working in close contact with the Mayor of León. Here I had tasks such as developing social media content, heading the translation of important historical articles on the city’s website, and monitoring events such as press conferences. This internship provided me with an opportunity to perfect my Spanish, learn more about the Spanish work culture and become immersed in León’s political world.
  Reflections on Living in León – León is a welcoming and familiar city anyone can fit into. The people are receptive and friendly, and the atmosphere is relaxed and fun. Its history is everywhere, from the Cathedral of León, to the Basilica de San Isidoro, to the Walls that used to surround this city two centuries ago, and still stand. Leonese people love to stay outside having a coffee, some wine with tapas, or walking their dogs, creating a nice environment for students to make friends and explore.
  Related Article – Published in a León newspaper