From Santa Cruz to Barcelona: My Internship Journey with Action Tracker

I chose Barcelona not only because I wanted to experience a new culture but also because of my personal connection. Being Mexican, my roots trace back to the Iberian Peninsula. I wanted to explore that history while also developing my professional skills in an international setting. I was excited to practice my Spanish, meet new people, and see how business was done outside the United States.

Before I arrived, many people told me that Spain and the U.S. have very different work cultures. At first, I didn’t fully understand what they meant. By the end of the program, I learned that Spanish workplaces tend to be more relaxed, with flexible schedules and fewer hard deadlines. In my office, some days were full of tasks and collaborations, while other days were quieter, requiring me to work independently and figure things out on my own. It taught me to adapt quickly and stay prepared, even when the pace of work was unpredictable.

During my time at Action Tracker, I gained experience on both the technical and business sides of the company. I learned how to prospect clients, present technical products clearly and compellingly, and tailor solutions to meet specific client needs, all skills that will be critical in my future career as a technical sales engineer in the cybersecurity field.

One of the most valuable aspects of this experience was the cultural exposure. Working in a multicultural environment pushed me to adapt my communication style, collaborate with people from different backgrounds, and think creatively to overcome language barriers. I also learned to navigate uncertainty, manage my own time effectively, and build relationships in an unfamiliar setting, all of which are valuable and something I’ll carry into every area of my life.

One of my favorite memories was when I invited my coworker for a casual dinner night out at this local Vietnamese cuisine restaurant. Over warm Pho and great conversation, I realized that work relationships in Spain often extend beyond the office walls, and that these personal connections help build trust and collaboration in ways that are sometimes overlooked in faster-paced work cultures, like in the United States. That moment reminded me that professional success is often built on genuine human connections.

My greatest success came when I delivered a product explanation via email that directly led to a potential client engagement. It was proof to me that I could bridge the gap between technical complexity and business value, something that’s at the core of technical sales engineering. On the other hand, my biggest challenge was adjusting to the slower, less structured pace of the Spanish work environment. It forced me to become more self-motivated, resourceful, and patient, all qualities that will serve me well in any career path.

To future interns, my advice is simple: be curious, adaptable, and willing to step out of your comfort zone. The moments when you feel most challenged are often the moments when you grow the most. This internship didn’t just enhance my technical skills. It broadened my worldview, improved my communication abilities, and gave me the confidence to pursue an international career. Barcelona will always be more than just a city to me. It is where I took the next big step toward becoming the professional I aspire to be.

Check out all CIS Abroad programs in Barcelona here!