During the academic year of 2025/26, I completed my Erasmus+ traineeship as a German Language Assistant through the OeAD program “Sprachassistenz international” at IES Isabel la Católica in Madrid, Spain.

The school is a public secondary school located in the city centre. Throughout my placement, I worked with six different teachers and supported German DaF and CLIL lessons in a variety of ways, ranging from assisting individual students and small groups to teaching parts of lessons and leading classroom activities together with the teachers.

The internship provided me with valuable insights into the Spanish education system and allowed me to gain practical teaching experience in an international environment. In addition to classroom work, I accompanied school excursions, participated in professional development activities, and served as a jury member for the debating competition “Jugend debattiert”.

I found my accommodation through a former language assistant and signed the rental contract before my arrival in Spain. The apartment was well connected to the school and the city center. Living in Madrid was one of the highlights of my Erasmus experience. The city offers a unique combination of culture, history, leisure activities, and international exchange. I particularly enjoyed meeting people from different countries and improving my Spanish through everyday interactions.

From an academic and professional perspective, the traineeship was extremely rewarding. Working in another school system broadened my understanding of teaching and strengthened my classroom management, communication, and intercultural skills. These are experiences that I would not have gained to the same extent without a stay abroad.

I am convinced that this experience will benefit my future career as a teacher. It helped me become more confident, flexible, and independent, while also reinforcing my enthusiasm for working in education. On a personal level, living abroad encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, adapt to new situations, and develop a greater appreciation for different cultures and perspectives.

Overall, my Erasmus+ traineeship in Madrid was an enriching and unforgettable experience. I felt welcomed and appreciated by the school community and would highly recommend an international mobility experience to other students.

Photos & Text: Katharina Frühauf