Hi everyone! My name is Irene — I was born in Catalonia, but I’ve been living in Madrid for the past five years, where I just finished my studies in Architecture at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.
I’ve always been passionate about architecture and culture, so when the opportunity to do an internship in New York came up, I knew it was something I couldn’t pass up. It felt like the right move at this moment in my life, both personally and professionally.
I found out about the program through my university, and even though the process can feel long at times and some weeks were a bit overwhelming, it was totally worth it. Georgiana has been amazing throughout — guiding me step by step, always making sure I knew exactly what to do at each stage. Her support has made everything feel much more manageable.
As for the visa process… Well, the paperwork can be a bit annoying, but it’s honestly not that complicated. My biggest tip is: go early to your embassy appointment — they go by arrival order, not by your scheduled time. I waited in line for two hours outside, but once I was in, it all went very smoothly. Oh, and make sure you bring a 5×5 cm passport photo! It must be exactly that size — no other proportions are accepted, so double-check that detail.
When it comes to applying for the internship, I’d say: put time into your portfolio and CV. Create something that reflects your personality and the kind of work you do — try to avoid overly generic templates. Make it yours!
In my case, I’ll be working with Watchorn Architecture and Urbanism (WAU). From my very first call with Ian (the principal), we connected really well. He explained the office’s vision and the projects they’re involved in, and I immediately felt that it aligned perfectly with what I was looking for. And it turns out, I was right!
As I get ready to fly to New York next week, I’m feeling excited and curious. I expect to learn a lot from this experience, to give my best to the projects we’ll be working on (including a competition!), and to enjoy everything the city has to offer — from discovering new places and meeting people to diving into the cultural life that makes NYC so unique.
Thanks for reading, and to anyone considering this path: go for it!
