I applied for an English-teaching internship in Barcelona with a strong motivation to gain hands-on experience in an international and multicultural environment. Coming from South Africa—a non-EU country outside the Schengen Area—I knew the process might involve extra steps, but I didn’t expect it to be quite so complex.

Very quickly, the administrative side became a challenge. Since I had studied within the Schengen area, arranging an internship in another Schengen country created a mix of requirements that were sometimes unclear and often frustrating. Deadlines were tight, documents had to be precise, and I genuinely worried I wouldn’t have everything ready in time to travel.

That’s where the Piktalent team really made the difference. They stayed calm, patient, and fully engaged throughout the process, guiding me step by step and helping me secure every required document. What impressed me most was their dedication: they even contacted the consulate directly on my behalf to help move things forward. Thanks to their persistence (and a lot of patience), everything was ready in time for my flight, which felt like a huge relief.

Once in Barcelona, the internship itself was exactly what I had hoped for—dynamic, practical, and genuinely rewarding. I was able to take part in English-teaching activities, support learners from different backgrounds, and develop real classroom confidence. Working in an educational setting helped me strengthen my communication skills, adaptability, and professionalism, while the multicultural environment pushed me to grow every day.

Living and working in Barcelona added another layer to the experience. The city’s international atmosphere made it easy to feel inspired, meet people from all over the world, and build independence—while still staying focused on my responsibilities and learning outcomes.

I’d like to thank Natalie, Susanna, and José in particular for their flexibility, friendliness, and constant support throughout the application process. Their help turned a stressful situation into a successful start to an unforgettable internship experience. I would absolutely recommend Piktalent to anyone looking to gain meaningful work experience abroad—especially if the process feels complicated or overwhelming.