Frequently Asked Questions

Adelante Abroad Frequently Asked Questions for Internships and Study Abroad Programs

Application & Eligibility

• Who is the ‘ideal’ candidate for an Adelante International Intern Abroad Program?

  Adelante programs are for independent-minded individuals, age 18 or older. The best intern abroad program candidates are those who desire the opportunity to live and work alongside local people abroad. Flexibility and openness to situations outside of one’s comfort zone are a given for international travel, but good to highlight here. For many internships, Spanish skills are required at least at a low-intermediate level, but placements can be found in some sectors for complete beginners (e.g. Teaching English). It is our goal to help you experience another culture through our intern and immersion program. We try to Place all candidates and have had good success matching candidates with their desired sectors, based on their skills and availability. Certain fields may have specific requirements for prior experience or studies. If you have traveled abroad before, that’s great, but our program works, for the right candidate, even if you haven’t yet begun your international travels.

• How will I know if I am accepted into the program or not?

  Within 2-3 business days after your initial interview with our Program Director, your references are checked and you will be informed of our application decision BY EMAIL. If we decide to proceed with your application, you will receive an Acceptance Letter, which will formally invite you to our program and detail the next steps on how to confirm your spot. Because spots are competitive for our international programs, we ask that accepted applicants confirm their spot in our program by paying a Confirmation Fee within one week of receiving the Letter of Acceptance.

• Who is the ‘ideal’ candidate for an Adelante International Study Abroad Program?

  Our ideal candidate for the study abroad programs is someone who loves to learn and wants to experience a new culture. Like our internship programs, our Study Abroad programs are much more economical than other programs offering the same thing (literally the same classes, in the same universities abroad). Because we offer a very price-effective rate, we expect candidates to do certain things on their own, for example, buying a cell phone. We could purchase this for you, and increase the price, but the reality is that phones cost under $20 now in most countries and we prefer to equip you with the knowledge to buy one on your own.

• What is the deadline for Application form(s) submissions?

  Our programs run year round with rolling start dates, the first Monday of each month.  Applying 60-90 days prior to the desired program start date is preferred, with 60 days out cutting it kind of close and any later than that, case by case if we can accept, there is a $250 late fee incurred.

  Click here to apply online.

• What happens after I apply online for an Intern Abroad Program? step by step.

  Once you apply online, and there is no charge for this, we send you a link to our calendar to schedule an initial phone or Skype assessment interview. This takes about 30 minutes, and in it our Program Director determines if you are a good fit for the program, and you determine if what the program offers, you are wanting to do.  Once both parties have mutually assessed positively, then we send out a Letter of Acceptance (for those looking to receive credit for their time abroad, this is a good document to show any academic Advisor) and a set up date for a second, longer phone or Skype interview. Prior to this second meeting, you will be emailed a link to confirm your spot in the program via a $250 Confirmation fee. For the second interview, bring all of your detailed questions and be ready to take a lot of notes! We then check two of your references. Next step is to send your file to our team – Director and Intern Advisor – in your program city abroad.  They begin presenting your file to our participating companies abroad, in your desired sector.  Once the best company for your specific program parameters chooses your file, we then contract you, with them, for your international internship. You will sign this contract, too.  Concurrently, we

  1) coordinate the housing you have chosen (shared apartment usually, homestay in some cases); and,

  2) enroll you in the two or three week intensive Spanish   language course / module you will take upon arrival.  We like to be done with the entire step by step process by no later than about 30 days prior to your program start date. So, candidates will know both where they are living and where they are interning long before they arrive abroad.

• What happens after I apply for a Study Abroad Program? step by step.

  Once we have received your completed application packet (this is a straightforward online form + one email with required documents as attachments), we conduct a 20- to 30-minute Skype or phone interview, to go over your application and the program abroad process, including your course + alternate course choices. Within 2-3 business days after your initial interview, you will receive notification of your application results BY EMAIL. If you are successful, you will receive an Acceptance Letter, which will formally invite you to our program and detail the next steps on how to confirm your spot. Because spots are limited for our international programs, we ask that accepted applicants confirm their spot in our program by paying a Confirmation Fee of $250 USD within one week of receiving the Letter of Acceptance (Due to limited availability, in Scotland programs only, there is a $500 holding deposit required. You will receive an invoice following your interview and this will be due upon receipt in order to confirm your place. The holding deposit is non-refundable and is deducted from the program price). Next step is to send your file to our team operating in your chosen program city abroad.  They matriculate you in all courses, including up to three alternates. We then confirm your placement in all courses. NOTE: there is a generous drop and add period once in-country for semester abroad programs. Concurrently, we coordinate the housing you have chosen (usually a homestay, in some cases a shared student apartment, too). Once you have booked your flight and sent us your arrival itinerary, we arrange your airport pick-up. We like to be done with the entire step by step process by no later than about 30 days prior to your program start date.

• When does the program begin and when can I plan on arriving?

  Programs start the first Monday of each month, year-round. We like candidates to arrive the weekend prior to the first Monday of their program. Saturday is preferable to allow yourself time to unpack, get over jet lag and acquaint yourself a little with the neighborhood, e.g. finding the nearest ATM, grocery stores, cafes, post office, etc.

• Can I stay longer than 3 months?

  Yes – Absolutely!  In fact, in the international internship industry, “longer is better” is our mantra. We encourage all candidates to stay as long as possible for language fluency, more in-depth international work experience and of course, for a deeper, truer cultural immersion. Click here for more information on visas.
  It is interesting to note that in most cases, your passport must be valid for six months after your program ends. If you are in need of a new passport or have to renew your existing one, please visit the U.S. State Department website.

• Can I participate in an Adelante program if I have Diabetes Type 1 or 2?

  Absolutely. Here is a great link that gives some good guidelines for candidates with Diabetes. 
  What are you waiting for? Apply and let’s get started!

Travel Arrangements

• Is airfare included?

  No – You are responsible for your own airfare; however, we do provide you with in-country airport pickup and delivery to your housing. We recommend www.studentuniverse.com or www.travelocity.com.

• Do I have to have insurance?

  Yes – It is strongly recommended that you have insurance. More and more participating companies and institutions abroad are asking for proof of medical and accident insurance and our various directors in-country also may ask you for proof of insurance (usually, a copy of your insurance card showing dates and coverage is valid). You can use the coverage you already have or coverage that someone else carries for you, you can use university-provided student insurance or you can purchase coverage just for our program. At Adelante, we refer many of our candidates to ASA or GeoBlue for insurance abroad. Check them out here: http://www.asaincor.com  and https://geobluetravelinsurance.com 
  This cost shouldn’t be more than about $40 – $60 per month, shop around.

Housing

• Is housing included in the price of the program?

  Yes – and we don’t double bunk! Depending on what city you decide to travel to, you can choose to live in your own room in a shared apartment or in your own room in a homestay with a local family. If you decide on the shared apartment option, choose to live with other Adelante candidates or with Spanish-speaking roommates (Remember, Spanish roommates will not necessarily be Spanish students, rather screened single professionals and locals who rent rooms to us for this program. This option is best for people who have traveled and lived abroad before, and are fairly independent).

  If you are taking part in a study abroad program, you will live in a dorm on the university campus or in a homestay.

• What are the housing placements like & where are they located?

  For the International Internship Program, we work hard to place you in an apartment or homestay that is within reasonable distance to the language school and your internship. Our houses/apartments are in working and vibrant areas, close to cafes, banks, stores and above all a Metro and/or bus stop. All apartments are fully furnished with equipped kitchens, a washing machine, linens, Wi-Fi, etc. Our homestay options are slightly more expensive, however, you will be provided with two meals a day plus laundry once a week for this extra fee, and a truly authentic experience.

• My friend and I would like to do the program together. Can we live in the same housing?

  Yes – Usually we can accommodate a request for candidates to live together. It will be dependent on availability, so the sooner your completed application packets are received, the better chance you have of being able to live together.

• Can I have outside guests (family, friends, etc.) stay with me in my Adelante program housing?

  No – For the safety of all Adelante candidates, we cannot allow outside guests to stay with you in your Adelante program housing. However, our staff abroad will be happy to recommend a hostel and/or hotel accommodations in the area.

Internships

• Is placement guaranteed?

  Depends – We work with hundreds of companies and to date we have been able to place 100% of our candidates in the field they requested. We accomplish this by asking our interns to provide a “Plan A” internship field and a “Plan B.”  This way, we can guarantee your placement abroad. However, if you want to do an internship that requires specific experience or qualifications you must be able to fulfill those requirements. For example, if you want to do a Paramedic internship and have no CPR training, no medical education, no EMT training, then chances are good you will not be placed in that sector.

• Can I receive academic credit for participating in this program?

  Yes – many candidates choose to receive credit for participating in an Adelante Abroad Internship or Study Abroad Program. Credit is issued from the candidate’s own university. Every university or school has different requirements to receive accreditation for a program abroad, so candidates must contact the appropriate person or department (e.g. Study Abroad Office, Career Services, Department Chair), to find out what is needed for them to receive credit.

  For the International Internship Program usually a minimum number of contact hours must be completed in order to receive credit. In some cases a course number is given to the internship program and credit is issued that way. Adelante will assist with and complete any extra required paperwork or evaluations prior to, during and at the end of the international program, so long as all documentation is received in a timely manner.

  For the Study Abroad Program, the Universities we work with in Sevilla and Scotland, the places where we offer Study Abroad, are all fully accredited international universities with approved coursework 100% transferable, and sealed official transcripts sent to your home university upon successful completion of the program.

• Are any of the internships paid internships?

  All internship positions are unpaid. This is to comply with labor laws within the countries we operate in. The majority of our internships abroad are part-time, four to five hours per day with two days off.  On a case by case basis, some positions may offer a small weekly stipend, to cover transportation or lunch, however there is no guarantee. Remember, the international work experience, network-building, and references that you obtain from our program will make you highly marketable upon returning to the job market post internship program.

• Do candidates receive any kind of certificate, letter of recommendation or ‘proof of internship’?

  While this is not included in the program fee, both the participating companies and the language schools in all countries are willing to create these for successful candidates. You must secure these PRIOR to your return home, as once you are gone it is quite difficult to get these letters. Please request in advance any letters needed and remind as necessary in order to have these documents in order before you leave your intern position.

Visas

• Do I need a work visa or a student visa?

  Visas are basically permits that enable you to be in a specific country for more than 90 days. Adelante will happily guide you through the visa process and do anything we can to help you understand the visa process.

  Work visas are never required for any of our programs since you are not working and we are not an employment agency. These are academic, apprenticeship programs. Student visas are required only for programs longer than 3 months. For all Adelante Abroad programs except Spain, visas or extensions of passport stamps can be secured once abroad for most nationalities. Click here for more information on Spain visas.

Payment & Refunds

• When is payment for the program due?

  Payment in full is due no later than 45 days prior to your desired start date in the program. Invoices are sent via email about 7-10 days before payment is due.

• Is there a cancellation policy?

  Any cancellations must be received in writing by email or mail. Phone cancellations are not accepted. The program confirmation deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel your participation in the program 45 days prior to your start date or earlier, you will receive a full refund of the program fee. If you cancel 30 – 45 days prior to your start date, Adelante is entitled to 50% of the program fee. If you cancel 0 – 30 days prior to your start date, Adelante is entitled to 100% of the program fee.  Also, if you cancel at any time following your arrival in your program country, there will be no refund.

• Are financial aid or scholarships available?

  Adelante does not offer financial aid or scholarships at this time. To help pay for your program, we suggest using a crowdfunding platform like FundMyTravel where you can create a campaign highlighting your destination, program type and set individual itemized goals for donors to specifically contribute towards. We also recommend contacting your university or college to see if they offer financial aid or scholarships toward your program of choice.

Miscellaneous

• Is there an Adelante contact where I will be interning/studying abroad?

  Yes – We have English-speaking Adelante staff abroad in every location where we place candidates. Some programs have a Director and an Intern Advisor.  The in-country Director is in charge of everything that has to do with your program once you are abroad including: airport pick-up, housing, language classes, your internship placement etc. You will meet with this Director sometime during your first few days abroad, during week one, and have access to this person as needed for the duration of your program.

  More importantly, our staff of Intern Advisors and Directors abroad are professionals in the international education and student exchange industry, used to working with foreign candidates and often times with complimentary professional careers in place as well as their service to Adelante Abroad.  For example, our Director in Madrid also owns the language school where International Internship Program candidates will take their Spanish coursework. By design, these representatives are locals living, and many times born and raised, in the city where they work for us and speak both Spanish and English. These are your contacts while in-country for most aspects of the program and all have both day and evening phone access.

• Can I hear from past or existing Adelante candidates about their program experiences?

  Yes – Please take a look at the multiple third-party review sites where we enjoy excellent ratings:  www.gooverseas.com, www.goabroad.com or www.abroad101.com.  You can also interact with candidates on our Facebook page, the “Groups” area is divided up by program.

• Are there any extracurricular activities or trips planned?

  Yes – For the Intern Program, these happen during the intensive coursework part of the program (first 2 or 3 weeks depending on the program), and are run through the language school or institute. There are activities and excursions each week. We encourage all of our candidates to take advantage of these opportunities in order to meet other students and get acquainted to your new city. These activities enhance language acquisition and give you a chance to see many aspects of the surrounding areas. For the Study Program, excursions are usually longer and offered over a few weekends.

• Are only Americans admitted to this program?

  No – Our only requirement is that you speak English, to be able to communicate with both Adelante Headquarters and our in-country staff who are required to speak both their native language and English. We have placed candidates from all over the world, including Britain, Japan, Australia, India, Canada and more. Please check any visa requirements for your nationality.

• Is Adelante an employment agency?

  No – We are a company that offers, among other things, a fee-based placement service program that works with people who are 1) seeking to massively upgrade their resumes, 2) wish to become bilingual and, 3) have a desire to live and learn abroad.

• Does Adelante Abroad act as a “middle man” or “agent”?

  Adelante Abroad, LLC is not a “middle man” or “agent.”  Rather, we create proprietary, customized programs for our individual, screened candidates.  To do this we use long-standing contacts in our respective countries of operation and with negotiated rates for all services provided abroad, including but not limited to airport pickup services, language coursework and excursion services, and housing services worldwide.