A Gap Year Alternative to Doing Work & Travel or Being an Au Pair
Magdalena is one of our interns and has been in Barcelona for a few months now. That’s why we thought it was time for a little interview ask her about how she likes her internship at a jewelry studio and her every day life in Barcelona.
Since it’s one of her favourite restaurants in Barcelona, Magdalena chose a Vietnamese restaurant to meet up at which is called La Vietnamita. As we’re saying hello one thing is clear right from the start: Magdalena is a very open and warm-hearted person. During the interview, she is smiling and very bubbly talking about her internship experiences and her life in Barcelona in general.
But now from the beginning…
“I wanted to do something different than work and travel or au pair during my gap year.” That’s why, right after she finished high school in Germany, Magdalena flew to Barcelona to see what the city actually has to offer. “It has always been my dream to live in Barcelona and I’m happy that I got help from the Sí-internships team and was able to find a really good internship.”
When asked about her internship, Magdalena is telling me about how comfortable she’s feeling alongside her colleagues at the studio. Moreover, she shows me beautiful pictures of jewelry pieces she had crafted and points to her ears: “Look, I even made the earrings I’m wearing right now!” Magdalena tells me that she and her colleagues have become good friends and that she is getting along really well with everyone. When asked about which language she is speaking in the office she tells me “I’m pretty much only speaking Spanish at work. My skills have already improved so much over the last couple of weeks!”
Where to live best in Barcelona?
Magdalena actually moved during her time in Barcelona. For the first two weeks she lived close to the Sagrada Familia in a shared flat of two. From there she commuted to the jewellry studio in the neighbourhood of El Born every day. Since she didn’t like the long commute via metro she quickly tried to organize a new room online and was successful! Now she’s living in a shared flat of 5 in the Gothic Quarter and is very happy with her living situation: her work is close and, at the same time, the apartment is located very central. “This neighbourhood is very dangerous”, she laughs “but only when it comes to shopping!”
Magdalena’s favourite spots
Lastly, she tells me about her favourite spots in Barcelona, mentioning stories of funny cocktail evenings in her favourite bar: the Creps al Born and delicious dinners in the many restaurants in El Born. She, moreover, raves about the clubs in Barcelona and about the many possibilities to go shopping for clothes.
While talking she’s smiling the whole time and I’m realizing: She really loves Barcelona! “I’m so happy I came to Barcelona during summer time and that I was able to go to the ‘Merce’ festival: definitely one of my highlights!”
