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A Brit in Bilbao: an experience of a work placement in Spain
In less than a week’s time, I will have been living in Spain for five months. Four of those months have been spent working as a becaria (more or less a secretary) at Instituto Hemingway, Bilbao, an experience that has been quite possibly the most beneficial thing that I have ever done.
This year in Bilbao fulfils the obligatory Year Abroad of my university course. Surprisingly few of my coursemates chose to undertake a work placement on their Years Abroad: the vast majority opted to study, or to teach English. However, I feel that breaking out of the student bubble in favour of experiencing a real Spanish company has given me an immersion in Spain and Spanish that is both more authentic and more profound than either of these options. Every day, I am more aware of the gaps in my linguistic knowledge: after years of studying Spanish in an academic environment, I am well-versed in arguing the finer points of Spanish politics, yet unprepared for managing public relations in Spanish. However, every day I learn a little bit more: language that is truly practical, the appropriate contexts of particular idioms and the colloquial small-talk phrases between my co-workers.
Before coming to Bilbao, I had never had a full-time job. Like that of many students, my CV reads as an eclectic mix of Saturday and summer jobs, spanning everything from supermarkets to GP surgeries. My placement at Instituto Hemingway has been unlike anything I have ever done; accustomed to the more flexible hours of university work, suddenly finding myself in the post-degree world of eight hour days, five days a week was something of a shock to the system! However, it was also a much-needed eye-opener. More than anything else, my placement has been an introduction to life after university; I have realised what I need to do and what I need to change in order to embark on a successful career.
A recent report by the BBC warned graduates that without work experience, the likelihood of their finding a position in today’s overstretched job market is fairly low. As a result of my internship, I can understand why employers want the skills and experience that applicants gain on work placements. I have had the opportunity to improve my communication, problem-solving and teamworking skills, as well as my Spanish language skills. I would recommend to anyone the experience of undertaking a work placement abroad.
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