JOHN SHARPE
Bodegas Alicia Rojas -Spring 2005 

While studying in Logroño this past spring, I had the distinct opportunity of working in a place that, more or less, represents the true spirit of the la Rioja region: a winery. Named Bodegas Alicia Rojas, it is nestled at the base of the Pyrenees mountain range, boasting the largest winery estate in all of La Rioja (800 hectares). Among other things, my main projects consisted of translating the new website, providing multiple camera shots of the estate for marketing aims, office research, and field work, such as assisting workers as they maintain the vineyards.

My co-workers were extremely kind and amiable; in many ways, a work force of about 10 people functions more like a family, and that was definitely the case here. Without doubt, I have acquired a renewed understanding and appreciation of the world of wine; countless hours of meticulous care are invested into the grape harvest, fermentation, elaboration, and, of course, the final product inside the bottle. Having the opportunity to experience and work within such a place of established tradition and kind people has created an in-depth view into some of best parts of Spanish culture – parts I surely would not have experienced had I not opted for an internship.

Establishing friendships with native speakers, learning to communicate with them in a professional environment, and gaining a deeper knowledge of the region's most recognized product and culture has been incredible. I will surely remember and cherish this special experience for this rest of my life.

ABIGAIL TRENGROVE 
FUNDARCO--Logroño Spring 2004

While studying in Logroño for the 2003-2004 year, I had the opportunity to intern with Fundarco, an organization that, among other things, helps promote both La Rioja's presence on the web and Internet use among the Riojana community. I had the opportunity to combine my computer science interests with my Spanish major, a task that proves to be difficult in the States.  My experience is one that undoubtedly will benefit me in the future and my memories have enhanced the richness of my year abroad. The daily contact I had with my coworkers has left me with relationships, although some short, that changed my time in Spain from purely academic and university based to be something more in depth and adult with a priceless insight to how business is run in Spain.

NICHOLAS DuBROFF
Federación de Empresarios de La Rioja--Spring 2004

I interned at the Federación de Empresarios de La Rioja (FER) while studying in Logroño.  The FER is a non-for-profit business organization dedicated to fomenting regional business growth within La Rioja.  I worked in the Euro Info Centre (EIC), created by the European Commission as a means of interconnecting regional small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) within the EU to increase interregional trade and ensure that SMEs will be able to compete within this increasingly competitive free trade area.

As an intern, I worked in a number of projects under the umbrella of the EU structural funds aimed at catalyzing economic growth within La Rioja.  This entailed translating documents, research, and contacting various businesses, embassies and consulates to interconnect local businesses with the rest of Europe.  My coworkers were very amiable, and the experience provided a unique perspective of the Spanish work place and business environment.  Meeting with the US ambassador to discuss trade between La Rioja and the US and working within the EU during the EU enlargement were particularly interesting and relevant, and would have been difficult to realize had I not been an intern.  Overall, the internship was very rewarding and fundamental to my immersion in Logroño. 

Kent Newman
Medicus Mundi Rioja--Spring 2001
I did my internship with Medicus Mundi Rioja, which runs a small office in Logroño, La Rioja associated with FAMME (Federación de Asociaciones Medicus Mundi en España) and Medicus Mundi International headquartered in Belgium. Medicus Mundi is a NGO (non-governmental organization) dedicated to the development of health care in third world countries.
In my semester I had the opportunity to assist in all aspects of the health care projects, but also attended seminars coordinated by other NGO's and assisted in the establishment of a quarterly newsletter and a program of education in La Rioja. The most rewarding part of the internship was getting to work on the projects in all stages, from the first contact in a developing country to the final account of expenitures presented to the comunidad autonomia. In between I was involved in translating some texts and emails, formating projects to the requirements of the comunidad and revising budgets.