The more time I spend at Fundación ACOBE, the more I realize just how much of my work depends on soft skills rather than technical ones. My day-to-day doesn’t involve complicated software or spreadsheets, but it does involve a lot of communication, patience, and adaptability—especially in a second language. At first, I didn’t think answering phone calls, greeting clients, or managing WhatsApp messages would be anything special, but doing all of this in Spanish and in a legal setting has definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect.
From the moment I pick up a call or open the door to a client, I have to be alert, present, and kind. These might sound like basic expectations, but when you’re speaking a non-native language and someone is asking for help with something as important as their immigration process, it takes a lot of composure and focus. Sometimes callers speak quickly or with accents I’m not used to. Sometimes they’re anxious or frustrated. And sometimes I don’t fully understand their situation until halfway through the conversation. But despite all that, I’ve learned how to remain calm, listen actively, and respond as clearly and professionally as possible. These moments have made me realize how valuable soft skills really are—how something as small as tone or eye contact can shape an entire interaction.
I’ve also had to fine-tune my problem-solving skills in real time. Clients often come in with questions or concerns that I’m not sure how to answer, especially when it involves specific documentation. In those moments, I’ve learned how to ask for help without panicking, how to look up the correct forms, and how to direct people to the right resources. My ability to think on my feet and find solutions has definitely improved, and it’s made me more confident in my ability to handle uncertainty in a professional setting.
On the more technical side of things, I’ve picked up a few hard skills related to immigration paperwork. I’ve learned which forms go with which immigration statuses, how to input client information into the system, and how to help people request appointments at local legal offices. These tasks are more repetitive and rule-based, but they’ve taught me about the bureaucratic structure of Spain’s immigration system and helped me understand the real-world implications of policy. It’s also forced me to be detail-oriented—if I write down the wrong number or forget a signature, it could delay someone’s legal process. So I’ve learned to double-check, stay organized, and not rush through paperwork, no matter how simple it seems.
Culturally, the experience has sharpened my global competencies in ways that go beyond language. While I came into this internship already familiar with Spanish culture, there’s a big difference between understanding it as a tourist and navigating it as a worker. I’ve had to adjust to different understandings of time, tone, and professionalism. For example, I’m used to workplaces being very structured and fast-paced, but here things move more slowly and flexibly. Clients show up late and still get helped. My supervisor might leave in the middle of the day to run errands or grab breakfast. At first this lack of urgency made me nervous, but I’ve come to understand that being professional here means being present, not rushed. It’s about giving people your full attention, not about maximizing speed.
I’ve also learned to pick up on unspoken cultural cues. When a client walks in and doesn’t speak until spoken to, or when someone hesitates before asking for help, I’ve had to figure out how to make them feel comfortable and heard. That awareness of body language and social norms is something I don’t think I would’ve learned in a classroom or even in a study abroad setting. Working directly with people in a non-native culture forces you to be attentive, respectful, and adaptable every single day.
Overall, my time at ACOBE has strengthened a lot of the skills that often get labeled as “soft” but are actually essential for any professional environment—especially one that’s cross-cultural. I’ve improved my communication, empathy, flexibility, and cultural awareness, while also building a foundation of technical knowledge about immigration procedures. It’s made me realize that being globally competent isn’t just about speaking another language or knowing fun facts about a country. It’s about being able to meet people where they are, communicate across difference, and stay grounded in moments of uncertainty. And honestly, those are skills I know I’ll carry with me no matter where I go next.
