Throughout the duration of my time abroad I met a lot of different people and made friendships that I know will last a lifetime. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to work for a startup in Barcelona, Spain. As a research assistant, I was assigned the task of studying a nano-coating product with hopes of optimizing it for commercial use, specifically within the automotive industry.

Having had work experience in the United States, cultural differences were evident and uncomfortable at times. A major takeaway I had from the experience is that we all are capable of transforming ourselves to fit into unique environments. Often times, the fear of change holds us back from fully believing in our own capabilities. Finding a way to become comfortable with being uncomfortable is a useful skill that transcends the workplace. Overall, I am extremely grateful to have had an internship abroad for it has expanded my perspective on the world. My time in Barcelona is something that I will cherish forever and would recommend it to anyone contemplating it.