Sabine's amazing time in Málaga!

Internship in Málaga

I still remember the moment I received the good news that I had been selected for my dream internship. My eye had been set on the city of Málaga, in Spain. The country had always appealed to me; I loved the language, the food was amazing, and the weather was  always perfect. On top of that, I was eager to learn a foreign language, and I believed Spanish would certainly benefit my career in the future.

I was about to work at a language school where international students come to take Spanish courses. My main responsibilities would involve social media and photography.

Full of courage, I set off on my adventure. My father came along with me to Málaga to help me find a place to stay. When he left after a few days, it was a bit nerve-wracking. Now, I was truly on my own.

I had lived in student housing before, but moving abroad felt completely different. Feeling a little lost, I headed back to my new home, where I realised that the coming months would be an incredible learning experience—not just about the country, work, and language, but also about myself.

My first workday in Málaga

After spending a few days settling in, it was finally time for my first workday. Nervous but excited, I headed to the language school. My boss greeted me and asked, “Would you like to speak in English or Spanish?”"Um, English, please," I replied. "Alright, but starting tomorrow, we'll switch to Spanish." Well, that was a bold start! The Spanish I had learned on Duolingo and during my studies turned out to be less helpful than I thought. Memorising phrases is one thing, but having a full conversation? That was a whole new challenge!

Making friends in Málaga

Luckily, I quickly felt at home at my internship. The atmosphere was incredibly relaxed, and I clicked well with everyone in the office. I was fortunate to have a unique setup: after working for four hours, I could take four hours of Spanish classes. This not only helped me improve my Spanish significantly but also allowed me to meet new friends. My internship turned out to be an unforgettable experience. My job never really felt like work—I had plenty of freedom with my tasks and even got to join excursions and cooking classes to take photos. It was an incredible time filled with learning and new experiences. However, I never expected it to have such a big impact on my life. The reason I’m still here five years later? I met my Spanish boyfriend. 

On one of my first nights out (which in Málaga don’t even start until around 2 a.m.!), I spotted a handsome Spaniard. We made eye contact, and after a while, he walked over to me. We exchanged phone numbers, and one thing led to another.

It felt like a movie—he showed me the beauty of Andalusia, and we spent a lot of time together. My internship ended after five months, but I wasn’t ready to say goodbye—to the city or to my boyfriend. 

Returning to Málaga after my studies

After completing my studies, I moved back to the Netherlands for a year to successfully finish my degree. The moment I had my diploma in hand, I packed my bags and returned to Málaga. This marked the beginning of a whole new adventure, as I was now starting my professional career. Finding a job was my first challenge, but I landed a position at a company that rents out vacation homes. This was a completely different experience—working full-time and earning my own income. I stayed there for two years, made new friends, and enjoyed yet another chapter of my life in this beautiful city. 

Moving to Alicante

Now I live in Alicante with my boyfriend, having relocated here for his job. It wasn’t an easy step—we had to leave our friends behind, and my boyfriend had to say goodbye to his family as well. Despite the challenges, we plan to return to Málaga in a few years or perhaps even spend some time in the Netherlands. I’d love to show my boyfriend what life in the Netherlands is like and give him a taste of my home country. 

After working for an employer for several years, I decided to take a leap and start my own business, TwoImprove, together with my dad. I'm incredibly grateful for the freedom this gives me, allowing me to regularly visit my family and friends in the Netherlands. 

To anyone hesitating about going abroad for an internship or job, I say: go for it! It's an unforgettable experience. Not only will you learn about a different culture and gain insight into working abroad, but you'll also make lasting friendships. This journey shapes you as a person. Over the years, I've learned so much about myself. Now I face challenges with much more confidence, knowing that if I can build a life abroad, I can handle anything that comes my way.