For the winter semester, Brother Lucien Charland (Iota Theta/Central Florida 2015), applied for an internship in Spain. Since mid-January Charland has been working at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, Spain. The Department of State (DOS) internship is worth 12 credit hours for Charland who is not currently enrolled in classes.
At some posts, the DOS provides housing for the interns, but since Madrid is such a sought-after destination, this was not the case for Charland.
“I live in an apartment with four other young people. Two are students (one from northern Spain and one from Norway), one works for a local non-profit, and the other is also an intern at the U.S. Embassy Madrid,” said Charland. “The State Department did not provide housing for the interns so we found places to live on our own,” he added.
For Charland, a typical work day at the Embassy begins between 8:30 and 9 a.m. and ends around 5:30 p.m.
“I work in the executive office, so I attend meetings with the deputy chief of mission and the ambassador. I draft notes and talking points for them, respond to sensitive mail on their behalf, help organize and support events, including international meetings and conferences, and engage directly with Spanish audiences to promote U.S. foreign policy and improve understanding of U.S. society,” Charland said. “For a few hours each day I also work in the political section, drafting and editing cables and reports,” he said.
Life in Spain is different from the U.S. in many ways according to Charland.
“Most businesses close from 2-5 p.m. each day for ‘siesta’," said Charland, “and everyone stays up late. It is common to see 5 and 6-year-olds walking the streets with their parents at midnight. The nightlife also lasts until 7 or 8 a.m. and most people participate. No one really gets drunk, but drinking is common and people frequently have a beer in the middle of the work day,” he continued.
Charland also finds the Spaniards to be more laid back compared to the Americans.
“Spaniards are more relaxed when it comes to time crunches,” said Charland. “They are not as constrained to schedules; they show up when they're going to show up,” he said. “People here share everything. No one splits checks they just pay for each other. Or, if they're buying an expensive meal together they'll split the bill down the middle no matter the difference in price of their respective menu items,” Charland added.
Some of the foods in Spain are similar to what we eat here.
“I'd say the diets are 50-75 percent potatoes (fried, mashed, boiled), ham, eggs and calamari. They love their sodium and starch here,” said Charland. “One of the unusual foods I've eaten is something that resembles a pasta dish, but the noodles are replaced with tiny eels. It's very popular here but I'm not a huge fan,” he said.
Brother Charland has also found a little time in his schedule for traveling.
“I have traveled to the southern city of Granada and visited the famous Alhambra there, and made an excursion to Toledo,” said Charland. “I plan to visit Barcelona, Morocco, and possibly Portugal before I return home, but Madrid on its own has so much to offer that my weekends are usually filled with adventures here,” he added.
Even though he has only been in Spain a couple of months, Charland has had some memorable experiences.
“Highlights include eating lunch with the ambassador, attending a meeting with world leaders as the only U.S. representative, and hearing the ambassador give talks off of notes that I have written for him,” said Charland. “Moreover, learning the incredible stories of all the foreign service officers, making wonderful friends at work and out-and-about, and developing a completely new perspective on U.S. international relations are some intangible highlights,” he said.
Charland says he would enthusiastically recommend an internship like his to his Theta Chi brothers.
“Even for those not interested in a career with the Foreign Service, the skills, experiences, life lessons, and knowledge that I have gained working for the State Department are irreplaceable,” said Charland. “I am always happy to help with a brother's application as well if he would like another pair of eyes to give him some feedback,” he added.