Emily Hellwig, CEA MOJO Blogger

Why did you choose to study/intern abroad?
I was struck by the opportunity to intern abroad with CEA because I knew it would require my full immersion in the culture and happenings of a foreign, Spanish-speaking city (for me, Sevilla!). I am eager to explore the Spanish language outside the classroom and cannot imagine a better way to study abroad than to gain real-world experience in the language through an internship. The prospect of interning abroad was also intriguing to me because of COVID-19. Along with the rest of college students and recent graduates, my internship plans for summer 2020 were diminished due to the pandemic—I still yearn for an in-person experience where I can organically connect with others. The chance to travel abroad for an internship this summer with other students/interns is not only a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but also a complete departure from the Zoom environment that has consumed this past year. I truly believe I now have the perspective to better appreciate this opportunity after experiencing life in quarantine during the pandemic.

Why did you choose your study/intern city?
I chose Seville based on word-of-mouth. Every single person I spoke to about this city had nothing to say but sing its high praises. I learned that I would get a rich, authentic experience of a Spanish-speaking city and have endless opportunities, sites to see, and places to explore right outside my doorstep. I can't wait to call Sevilla my city for two months!

What are you most looking forward to during your abroad experience?
I am most looking forward to stepping (or flying) outside my comfort zone and becoming more confident in my Spanish-speaking abilities in the process. I can only imagine how awe-struck I will be from the beauty, richness and diversity of this city! Furthermore, I look forward to the opportunity to bolster skills that are applicable in a global context and transferable to any industry through my internship experience.

Fun Fact (hobbies, interests, accomplishment, etc.)?
Fun facts... I feel like I always have a couple in my back pocket, ready for any orientation, first day of school, or bio like this! I am a dancer, avid reader, and also love to hike, run, and design. I am also a writer for my school's (Wake Forest University) chapter of Her Campus, where I write bimonthly articles on female empowerment, current news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics for the nationwide online magazine dedicated to championing women in journalism at the collegiate level. I guess in the future I'll get to add to the list that I interned abroad in Sevilla for two months!