Internships abroad have rapidly become one of the most popular and engaging methods for integrating students into their study abroad location while building their professional, personal, and intercultural competencies. AIM has an extensive network of internship sites available at our Madrid center. These include businesses of every kind, as well as nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations. Students from most majors (government and medical internships are limited) can be accommodated in an internship.

In Madrid students must have studied the Spanish language for four semesters (or the equivalent). Internships can be full-time (35-40 hours per week) or part-time (15-20 hours per week). In order to maximize the experience for both the student and the site, the placement must last at least eight weeks.
AIM's local staff visit each internship site, many of which are frequent recipients of AIM interns. Students are placed in sites that best meet their individual interests, abilities and academic background.  The internships are within commuting distance of the accommodation.

All internships are contingent upon a successful interview with the internship-host organization, which will take place right after the student's arrival and orientation. A seminar on interview techniques is presented prior to the interview.
Internship students are required to participate in a seminar series entitled Global Education through Internships. Faculty act as internship mentors to ensure that participants have academic guidance during their internships. Students produce papers, write reflective journals, and make oral presentations examining the real learning that occurs during their programs. Students produce a portfolio at the end of the internship that must meet clear academic criteria in order for the student to attain credit for the internship. Students are monitored throughout their internships to ensure that they are receiving appropriate training and guidance. At the end of each session, students evaluate their experience. These evaluations are shared with their home campus.