Intern Abroad HQ’s Psychology internships in Madrid provide an incredible opportunity to enhance your practical experience through guided observation and professional shadowing.
Whether you’re passionate about therapeutic work, mental health systems, or cross-cultural care, this immersive experience will empower you to grow both personally and professionally.
Learn how Community College student, Jimena, participated in a 4 week Psychology internship in Madrid, to increase her professional skillset and better prepare for her academic future.
Hi Jimena! Tell us - what was it like to intern in Madrid?
Although I have traveled to Spain before and speak Spanish, starting an international internship was a very different experience from visiting as a tourist. I expected things to feel more familiar, but working and living in Spain gave me a much deeper perspective on the culture - especially in professional settings. What surprised me most was how quickly I fell into a daily rhythm.
One of the most memorable moments of my Psychology internship, during the first week, was when my coworkers invited me to join them for lunch after work. It felt casual yet meaningful - like a glimpse into how relationships are formed here through shared time and conversation, not just task completion. That moment reminded me that cultural immersion isn’t just about language fluency; it’s about noticing and adapting to the subtle social norms that shape everyday life.
What were your responsibilities as a Psychology intern?
As a Psychology intern, I supported clinicians and psychologists in a multidisciplinary mental health center that offers services across a wide range of specialties. The center provides therapy for adults, adolescents, and children, as well as couples and family therapy. Areas of focus include anxiety, depression, chronic pain, sleep disorders, trauma, personal development, and emotional regulation.
My key responsibilities as a Psychology intern included:
- Supporting therapists during sessions by preparing materials and offering emotional grounding when appropriate
- Guiding patients through breathing, grounding, and relaxation exercises
- Observing therapeutic interventions including EMDR, neurofeedback, and talk therapy
- Documenting clinical protocols and assisting with session tracking and organization
- Participating in team workshops, roleplays, and interdisciplinary clinical discussions
How did your expectations of the internship change over time?
When I first started my Psychology internship, I expected to be more involved in noticeable or measurable ways. I thought I’d be doing something that made a clear difference right away. After spending time observing how things work, I realized that the value comes from being present, learning, and supporting what’s already in place.
Getting to know the context, the team, and the way people approach things made me shift my focus. I started to care less about “doing something big” and more about building trust, listening, and offering help in ways that fit the environment.
If I could give myself a piece of advice looking back, I’d say: “Take your time. You don’t need to fix everything. Just stay open, curious, and respectful of the process.” That mindset helped me enjoy the experience more and appreciate the slower, more meaningful impact of the work.
How did your internship contribute towards your career goals?
My Psychology internship provided me with a clearer understanding of what working in the clinical field entails. I was able to participate in meaningful ways - whether it was through guiding grounding exercises, observing EMDR or neurofeedback sessions, or helping clients feel more comfortable in the space. Being present during calls while clients address real-life issues taught me the importance of emotional safety, clear communication, and patience in therapeutic work.
One of the biggest takeaways during this internship abroad was learning how to support people through discomfort without trying to jump in and fix it right away. That’s something I know I’ll carry with me into any clinical setting.
This psychology internship experience has made me more confident that clinical work is the right path for me. I feel more prepared for future studies and eventually working as a therapist or clinician, because I’ve seen how theory and practice come together in real time.
In what ways do you feel more empowered to be successful?
I feel more empowered after this international psychology internship experience because I’ve seen firsthand how valuable emotional support and cultural understanding are in a clinical setting. I got to watch trained professionals adapt therapy methods to different clients and situations, and that helped me realize that success in this field is not just about textbook knowledge, it’s also about intuition, patience, and empathy.
I feel more confident now in my ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, and I’ve seen that I can hold space for someone emotionally, even in unfamiliar environments. That realization made me feel more prepared and capable of growing into a therapist who can make a real difference.
What advice would you give to other interns like yourself?
I would say not to assume that sharing a language means everything will feel familiar. Spain has its rhythm, expressions, and social norms, and while speaking Spanish helps, there’s still a learning curve.
My advice would be to come in open and observant, and to listen before jumping in. Even small things, such as understanding how people greet each other, how they dress, or how direct they are in conversation, can initially feel different, but they’re part of what makes the experience valuable. Be ready to adapt - not because you’re changing who you are, but because it shows respect and helps you connect more easily.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions or admit when something confuses you. Most people appreciate the effort, and being honest about what you don’t know is part of the growth process, both personally and professionally.
Ready to plan your own international internship?
Our step-by-step guide on how it works provides you with more information on how to get started. The process is user friendly - just submit your application to begin. It doesn’t cost anything to apply and won’t take more than 5 minutes. However, your formal expression of interest provides the foundation for us to help you take the next steps.
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