Interview with Jared, an intern at Clínica Axón in Valencia
To start, could you introduce yourself?
My name is Jared Calanayan. I’m from California, in the United States, and I recently graduated from San Diego State University.
I came to Valencia because I knew I wanted to do an internship abroad in Europe, so I started looking into different programs. I was deciding between Valencia and Athens, and Valencia was the more affordable option, so I chose to come here.
Can you tell us about your internship placement?
I’m doing my internship at a physical therapy clinic. I mainly observe how the physical therapists interact with patients and the techniques they use during treatment.
It’s very different from how physical therapy is done in the United States. I feel like physical therapists here are able to do a lot more, and they use different modalities that I hadn’t seen before. I’m learning a lot from that.
What language do you use during your internship?
Most of the patients speak Spanish, but most of the physical therapists speak enough English to communicate with me. If people speak slowly enough, I can understand the Spanish, so it’s usually a mix of both languages.
I’m definitely learning a lot of medical Spanish, which is something I needed. It will be very useful to have done my internship in both English and Spanish when I go back home. I live close to the border with Mexico, so there are many Spanish-speaking patients where I’m from. Being able to use medical Spanish will definitely be useful when I go back.
Was your decision to do an internship abroad more about travel, professional experience, or a mix of both?
It was a mix. I definitely wanted to travel and experience something new. I wanted to come to Europe, and I was open to different destinations.
But it was also academic and professional. I wanted to learn how physical therapy is practiced in other countries. I also think that having an internship experience in Spain will look good on my résumé when I apply to graduate schools.
How has your time in Spain been so far?
It’s been very laid-back. At my internship, they don’t set strict hours for me. They usually tell me when the first patient arrives, and I can come in then, or later if needed.
People here are friendly. A lot of people talk to me in Spanish, although they speak very fast, so I try to pick out words and understand as much as I can.
The food is really good, and my host family has been very nice too. I also visited Madrid recently, which I really enjoyed, but Valencia has been a great place to live during the program.
What have you liked most about Valencia?
I like that there’s always something going on. The city center is within walking distance from where I live, so it’s easy to go there and find things to do.
Most of the friends I’ve made through the program spend time in the city center, so I often go there to meet them. There’s a lot to do, and it’s easy to connect with people.
What activities or places in Valencia would you recommend to future interns?
I would recommend visiting the museums around the city. I’ve been to most of them, and they’re really nice.
The “Oceanografic” aquarium is also really cool, and I’d recommend visiting the Science Museum next to it. I haven’t been to the beach yet because it’s been windy, but I’ve heard it’s really nice, so I’m planning to go soon.
I also saw a flamenco show. I didn’t really understand everything that was happening, but the dancing was cool. I’d also recommend traveling around Spain if you can, because every city feels different.
How have you found navigating the Spanish language barrier?
I think if you know basic Spanish, you’ll be fine. A lot of people here speak English, or at least enough to communicate, so it hasn’t been too difficult.
How was the process of finding and starting your internship?
I found it through my school. I looked up study abroad opportunities, and that led me to Intern HQ. From there, I signed up and started the process.
Overall, it was pretty seamless.
Did you feel supported throughout the process?
Yes, they were communicative. The only challenge was the time difference, because the best time for me to ask questions was usually while I was at work. But apart from that, the process was smooth.
How has your experience been living with a host family?
It’s been pretty easy. They let me know when they won’t be home, and they provide meals, so it’s been comfortable for me.
Is there anything from your internship that has really stood out to you?
Yes, the way physical therapy is done here compared to the United States is very different.
I also think patients here are more patient with their treatment. In the States, people often want to get better quickly and move on. Here, patients seem to understand that recovery is a process and that it takes time. They’re dedicated to improving, but they also understand that it doesn’t happen overnight.
There’s a big difference in how the medical system works in The States and Spain. I feel like insurance works very differently here compared to the States. I don’t fully understand it yet, but I can definitely see that the systems are different.
What is something you think you’ll remember from this experience?
Probably the city itself. I’ll remember being out at night and seeing how people stay out much later than I’m used to. I’ll also remember the people. Everyone has been friendly, and it’s been easy to talk to people.
If you had to describe the whole experience in one word, what would it be?
That’s hard, but I’d probably say “grateful.”
I still have another month here, but I’ve already learned a lot. Being here has made me grateful for the experiences I’ve had, and also for what I have back home in the States.
