Life as a Working Woman

Staying on top of my classes, making progress at my internship, planning trips left and right, hopping from one country to the next, and now COOKING Spanish meals…If I didn’t know any better, I’d think I was transforming into Superwoman.

Haha, I joke.

Yet another week has passed here in Sevilla and I’ve accomplished so much.  Tuesday was my first day at Vorsevi, the engineering/consulting firm I’m interning with for the next ten weeks.  It was quite an eventful day (it had to be, I’m dedicating an entire post to it).  So, Monday night began the most random rainstorm Sevilla’s experienced in February.  The rain continued to pour into Tuesday morning. As luck would have it, I was running late getting out of the house…and forgot my umbrella at home. I tried to maintain a brisk walk to the bus stop, but miserably failed as I nearly slipped in my heels. Got to the bus stop okay…but literally five seconds short of making the 8:30AM bus.  So I waited, and continued to get soaked. 8:36AM, finally another route C2 bus showed up and I was on my way to La Isla de Cartuja (aka: Silicon Valley, where my company is located). 

Forty some minutes later, we were on the island, and I got off at the first stop…unfamiliar with the location.  Luckily, LD got off at the same stop and it took us a few seconds to realize we were not where we were supposed to be.  After looking at a map, it became clear to us that we got off two stops earlier than we should have. Oops.

The two of us must have looked ridiculous to anyone watching, as we used our jackets to cover our heads and nice business attire.   After crossing streets named after some of history’s greatest – Leonardo Da Vinci and Marie Curie – I found Sir Issac Newtown and bid LD good luck on her first day. 

Entering into the office, I was greeted by two confused secretaries who stared at my wet appearance (probably thinking…ayyy Americana Loca).  My boss was traveling that day, so a nice co-worker, Leo, introduced me to the team I was working with. I was then taken into the “Jefe Chamber” where the top four BOSSES of the company worked.  As I stuck out my hand to greet the first man, he leaned in for a kiss on the cheek. I hesitated, oops (I STILL haven’t gotten used to the whole kiss on the cheek business yet, I’m getting better I promise). Leo then took me to my desk which had a computer and a cute little notebook ready for me.

The team had breakfast together, I was explained my first assignment and just like that I hit the ground running.  I’m pretty much responsible for analyzing the Latin American market to see if Vorsevi should expand its business in that area. After I’ve deemed Ecuador, Chile, Brazil and Colombia okay for business, I must find projects that Vorsevi can bid on this year. Interesting assignment, I’m learning a lot.

Aside from work and school, I’m trying to immerse myself in the Sevillian culture by taking free Salsa classes and cooking lessons offered through our program.

Toodles until Sunday! I'm off to Madrid for the weekend!

First Daze of School

Remember that feeling you got, on the first day of high school? Scared, nervous, not knowing what to expect.  Would you make friends, or be an outcast? Would you find all of your classes on time? Would the professor label you as “that kid” without giving you a chance to prove yourself?

You may not admit it, but I’m pretty sure we’ve all gone through the same experience on that first day. Lucky for me, I was able to relive it once again. 

This past Monday, the students in my program began the first day of core classes. Now, you may be thinking, what has she been doing in Spain for the past two weeks? The program is structured in such a way that students MUST take a 10-day intensive Spanish course, to bring them up to speed at the University’s teaching level.  After this three credit class is completed, students start their major classes and attend them until the end of the semester…like any university back home.

Like the other students, I arrived to FCEYE (Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales or the Business School for short) a half hour before my first class.  Not quite sure of where my classroom was I was relieved to see VT, AV and NB, fellow Kelleys.  Coincidentally, we were all in the same class; NB had had a class earlier that morning, so she knew the lay of the land.

European Corporate Organizations – a management class required for graduation at Kelley – was led by Adolfo, a well-dressed and well-spoken Professor, Director and Consultant.  The class itself was very interesting, as we analyzed different styles of management in companies based out of both Spain and the United States.  The best part: the class is centered on movies and documentaries (i.e.: The Godfather) to spur up conversation and debate.

Services management – a requirement for my International Business Major – was taught by a corky old, bald man with a five word name that I can’t seem to remember at the moment. Within the first 30 seconds, he taught us the difference between “Yo comprendo” and “Yo entiendo” (when said by a male).  The first meaning “I understand” and the second “I am gay.”  His jokes quickly resonated with many of the students.  As the class progressed, we found out that this Professor was no ordinary professor, but rather a real big hot shot in the business and academic world.  Monday night, he was to have dinner with the owner of the Betiz Futbol team (if you know anything about Spanish Soccer, you know this is a BIG deal).  He also mentioned his best friend was the Number 1 guy for McDonalds Europe (who will also be speaking to us in class in the near future!!!). AWESOME.

On Mondays, I am in the unfortunate position of running from the business school (more like brisk walking) to the CIEE center, for my internship class (a 30 minute walk that I’m given 25 minutes to complete).  Thank God Stevenson High School prepared me for this very moment.  For four years I had mastered the art of getting from the 2000s in the Old Building to the corners of the 8000s in the New Building.  I was able to get to the center in about 21 minutes, NBD.

Tuesdays and Thursdays I only have ONE class (love my life) from 3-430PM.  On these days, I will be interning with Vorsevi for some five to six hours and then attending class.  International Trade and Finance is equivalent to a Finance 400-level class back at Kelley. DEATH! I was so worried before that class.  But as the universe would have it, it ended up being my favorite class of the bunch.  Professor Jose Luis Jimenez Caballo (I only remember his name because I just received an email from him) came off as "that teacher" (no offense).  Strict posture, stern face and judging demeanor he asked each and every one of us why we chose his class.  I think I hit a note when I said that I was very interested in learning about stocks, the exchanges and hedging, because Professor Cabello’s eyes lit up.  I didn’t know what I had done, but I rolled with it.  The class’s discussion revolved around the current economic crisis and the role of banks.  We even took our first quiz (Finance in Spain = difficult). 

Overall, a great first and second day. I’m sure my future posts won’t be as positive…as the homework starts piling up.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

There usually is one, it just takes a long time coming.

For most of us, this past week was a long, dark tunnel with no end in sight.  As mentioned previously, the Intensive Spanish course, midterms and interviews in Spanish kept us from truly enjoying beautiful Sevilla.  Well, there’s nothing better than ending the week with a high-note Friday. 

That Spanish midterm, not as bad as I thought it would be.  Most of my class felt the same way.  And I FINALLY got my internship placement call.  To my surprise, I was preferenced by three companies: Pampling: a start-up, online clothing company based out of Sevilla, Vorsevi: an international engineering and consulting firm, and Ghenova: a multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm.  After narrowing it down to the two engineering/consulting firms, I decided to intern with Vorsevi. 

While both firms were compatible in sector, internship opportunity and company size, Vorsevi stood apart because of its establishment in Spanish, Portugal, Morocco, Mexico and surprisingly the United States.  It never hurts to have another successful company in my back pocket when back in the states (JK, I love you Wrigley).  I am both nervous and excited to start my internship in a few weeks and hope that my experiences will not only improve my language skills, but also give me a better understanding of business etiquettes in Spain.

Adding to this good-news-Friday, our program took us on a tour of La Catedral, the third largest church in the world, after St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil.  La Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede, a dedication to the Virgin Mary, was initially a Mosque during the 12^th Century, when the Moors were in power.  Renovated with breathtaking, Gothic styles and elaborate paintings, jewels and sculptures representing the Reconquista, La Catedral preserves La Giralda, the only feature of the once Almohad Mosque.   Yet another great historical experience in Sevilla!

To top off what was an excellent weekend, we celebrated RJ’s 20^th Birthday (the baby of the group) in great style! Once again, the students were in high spirits as smiles and laughter filled the night!

A friendly reminder to my fellow colleagues in Sevilla, as we enter yet another challenging week: “The night is darkest just before dawn.” When you think things couldn’t get any worse, I promise you, everything takes a turn for the better.