Physical Therapy internships with Intern Abroad HQ provide diverse placements in Valencia, Spain. There’s broad scope to gain valuable experience in assessment, rehabilitation, and evaluation, by collaborating with local sports teams and athletes, assisting in private clinics and wellness centers, or shadowing disability professionals in non-profit health settings.
Looking to improve her Spanish, build independence, and gain hands-on clinical experience, Audrey, a third-year Kinesiology major at San Diego State University, traveled to Valencia, Spain for a 13-week internship. Read on to learn more about her experience as a Physical Therapy intern in Spain!
Hi Audrey! Tell us about your first week and getting settled into Spanish life.
During my first week as an intern in Spain, I made a lot more friends than I anticipated. Since I came here and planned on living with a host family I was not quite sure how I would make connections with other people my age. However, I am very fortunate that there was another person working at the same internship as me and we quickly became very close.
We also met a big group of girls who were studying abroad in Valencia and quickly made connections with some of them as well. I was very grateful for the connections I managed to make so quickly!
What kind of tasks were you involved in at your Physical Therapy internship?
During my Physical Therapy internship placement, I primarily worked as an aide for physical therapists, where I supported both patient care and day-to-day clinic operations. My internship role involved observing therapists closely as they assessed and treated injuries, often explaining their techniques and treatment goals while demonstrating manual therapy methods.
In addition to observation, I was actively involved in assisting patients with treatments. This included tasks such as applying ultrasound therapy, heat therapy, and setting patients up with electromagnetic or shock therapy machines. These responsibilities allowed me to gain practical, hands-on experience while contributing to the smooth running of the clinic, particularly during busy periods.
Interning in this environment also gave me the opportunity to learn from a range of professionals, including physical therapists, personal trainers, and nurses. While most of my experience so far has been alongside the physical therapists, I have appreciated being part of a multidisciplinary setting and look forward to further learning from the wider team.
How has your internship contributed to your long term career goals?
My internship supported my long-term career goals by providing hands-on experience in a clinical, Physical Therapy setting, which aligns closely with the future environment I hope to work in. It also allowed me to develop skills beyond rehabilitation, including strong communication, empathy, and cultural awareness.
A key focus for me was continuing to build my Spanish-speaking abilities, as I encountered language barriers between patients and doctors that I hope to help bridge in my future practice. Additionally, working in a different cultural and linguistic environment strengthened my adaptability and problem-solving skills.
Overall, these experiences and skills are essential for my future career, and the internship further confirmed my interest in this field and in helping patients return to their best and most comfortable selves.
How has your internship left you feeling more empowered in the Physical Therapy field?
During my experience working and living abroad in Spain, I felt more empowered to succeed in my field, particularly in developing adaptability and confidence. Being placed in a new cultural and healthcare environment pushed me to become more flexible and open to unfamiliar situations.
I was often outside of my comfort zone and had to find new ways to communicate with patients, especially when there were significant language barriers. This experience gave me a new perspective on patient care and helped me strengthen my interpersonal skills, as well as my patience, both of which are essential in healthcare settings.
Additionally, I learned that there are many different approaches to treatment, and healthcare is not always linear. In physical therapy especially, there is rarely a single “right” way to treat a patient. This experience showed me that being adaptable and maintaining an open-minded approach are valuable strengths that will support my future career.
What is one of your core memories from your time abroad in Valencia?
One of my favorite memories from this experience was meeting my now close friend, Camila. On the first day of the program, my host family walked me to my local teams office, where I was scheduled for a city tour followed by an introduction at my workplace. I was quite nervous going in, as I’ve never been very comfortable doing things alone.
However, when I arrived, I met another participant who would also be working with me. That immediately put me at ease, and I quickly felt that we would get along well. Having her there made a huge difference throughout the experience, we were able to commute to work together and support each other in a new environment.
She was especially helpful when I first arrived in Spain and didn’t feel confident speaking Spanish. She helped me communicate and gradually build my confidence, while also encouraging me to step outside my comfort zone in ways I didn’t expect but truly needed.
We also had the chance to travel together, which made the experience even more meaningful. I’m incredibly grateful for that friendship, and we’re already hoping to reunite in the future.
Do you have any advice for other interns considering an internship abroad?
One piece of advice I would give to someone considering a similar experience is to try not to feel too overwhelmed at the beginning. It can seem challenging at first, but it’s important to stay calm and trust that you will gradually learn how to navigate a new environment, even if it feels unfamiliar or stressful.
Remember that an internship is a learning experience, and support is available to help you grow. Taking initiative, asking questions, and making the most of the guidance offered will help you get the most out of your time there.
It’s also important to be mindful of cultural norms, communication styles, and local expressions so you can interact respectfully with both colleagues and patients. Being open to learning (whether it’s language, customs, or workplace expectations) can greatly enrich your experience.
Overall, staying patient, adaptable, and willing to step outside your comfort zone will make the experience far more rewarding.
FAQs
Spanish language proficiency is not a requirement to join. However, interns should expect that a language barrier can still be encountered to a certain extent. Interns should be prepared for the very natural and normal frustration of not always understanding what is being said around them.
Placements can include non-profit health centres, private clinics, wellness centres, local sports teams, athletic clinics, gyms with physiotherapy and wellness services, rehab clinics and physiotherapy clinics, and health centres with physiotherapy services.
Applicants should have an Undergraduate Degree (or be currently enrolled) in a related field, such as physiotherapy, nursing, occupational therapy, etc.
Interns can expect to assist with patient care and evaluation, rehabilitation planning, and physiotherapy treatment sessions. This can include a range of specialist treatments such as acupuncture, ultrasound, massage and therapies for disabled people. Due to Spanish law, interns should not expect to have a leading role in delivering therapy, but can observe and assist their supervisor where appropriate.
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