UMASS Lowell International Internship Exchange with University of Valencia, Spain
In 2017, I established an international internship exchange between the University of Massachusetts Lowell and University of Valencia. Two cohorts of UMASS Students traveled to Spain in Summers of 2018 and 2019. A cohort of 8 University of Valencia students worked in internships in Lowell in Spring 2019. Due to the pandemic, the program ran virtually in Spring 2021, but returned to Spain with 9 students in June and July 2022!
Global Internships
3 credits. UMASS Lowell students complete a 100-hour internship with public and non-profit organizations.
Civil Society and Social Change
3 credits. Students explore and learn about the rich society and culture of Valencia through a combination of lectures, readings, speakers and walking tours.
Spanish Language Learning
3 credits (transfer). Through the generosity of the Centro de Idiomas at the University of Valencia, students from the US improve their spoken and written Spanish proficiency while in Spain.
Valencia Students in Lowell, MA
Students Internships
University of Valencia students in social sciences are required to complete a 350-hour practicum. In Spring 2021 the Spanish students completed virtual internships with the Essex County Community Organization, MA Jobs With Justice, Neighbors United for a Better East Boston, Climate Change Institute, Jack Kerouac Institute, and others.
Thesis Projects
During their experience, University of Valencia students advance social science thesis research towards completion of their degrees at University of Valencia.
Cultural Learning
Students from Spain visited cultural and historical locations in Lowell, Concord and Boston.