MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — A Penn State Harrisburg kinesiology major spent eight weeks interning in Barcelona, Spain, as one of nine students in Penn State Global’s Perreault Fellows Program.

The Perreault Fellows Program is a competitive global leadership and internship program that prepares students from multiple disciplines for personal and professional excellence through learning in cross-cultural leadership, ethics, service, personal-mentoring, and an internship abroad related to health and the betterment of human condition. Before interning abroad, students in the program take part in workshops on subjects such as ethical leadership, global leadership and intercultural awareness, and more.

Juan Serrano applied because he’s long been interested in studying abroad, he said.

“I love learning the culture and learning how people communicate and interact with others in different countries,” said Serrano, who was born in Colombia. Spending time in Spain felt a little like returning to some of his own cultural roots, he said.

Serrano worked as an intern at Tot Teràpia, a clinic that provides services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.

He shadowed therapists, participated in patient consultations, offered his feedback on treatment options, and observed meetings where specialists discussed patients’ cases. It was his first time working with children, he said, and he learned how to adjust care based on his patients’ ages.

He enjoyed the chance to learn from coworkers who hailed from other countries, learn about differences in care between Spain and the U.S., and make connections with other interns from around the globe. On weekends, he explored Spain — visiting the famous Sagrada Familia and taking a cooking class.

“This experience has impacted me in the way that has opened my eyes about understanding another culture that might be similar to mine (because I'm Colombian) but is still quite different,” Serrano said. “I understand that strategizing, having a drive to learn, being patient, open-minded and having critical thinking are essential to understand other people with different cultures, political views and different mindsets. This is in order for all of us to live together and grow together.” 

Christopher Nischalke, education abroad adviser and Perreault Fellows Program coordinator, said the program is more than just an international internship or funding opportunity.

“It's a chance for students to develop themselves professionally through intercultural learning, service, ethics and networking,” he said. “The fellows are given the tools to shape their program experiences and internships in a way that suits their future goals. I am honored to be able to work with the talented and accomplished students the program attracts, and it's a pleasure to watch them grow into people who will continue to make the world a better place.”