Madrid, Spain - The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, in partnership with PromoMadrid, successfully concluded its first international program, The CHLI-Madrid Program: Gateway to Madrid. The inaugural class comprised of ten bilingual students from across the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico participated in an intensive five-week internship with Spanish companies from June 21st to July 24, 2010. Student interns gained valuable international work experience in a variety of fields as they relate to their undergraduate and graduate coursework.

The inaugural class first participated in a one week immersion course which focused on Spanish culture, economics, and politics followed by their placement within a Madrid-based small and medium-sized enterprises. The international internship program enabled young American students to gain international work experience which increased their competitiveness in the highly competitive global economy.

The CHLI-Madrid Program’s aim was to provide a unique and enriching work experience for bilingual American student leaders in one of Europe's main economic hubs, the Regional Community of Madrid. As part of this year’s program, CHLI interns were provided with: roundtrip airfare, housing accommodations, health insurance, transportation and a stipend for living expenses.

“In keeping with CHLI’s mission and building upon the success of other programs, the organization is continuing to expand into the international arena. This program is indicative of the growth and scope of CHLI,” said Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL-21), CHLI Chaiman.

 This initiative was financially backed by PromoMadrid and managed by CHLI, which will be responsible for all aspects related to the students' internship, training, housing & travel while living in Madrid.

“I am thankful to the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute for creating the Gateway to Madrid Program in Spain. The connections, experience and memories I’ve made here will last me a lifetime. To the next generation of global minded Hispanic leaders, I highly recommend this program to you,” said Michael Monrroy, Senior, American University

The first class launched on June 14, 2010 was comprised of the following students:

Miguel A. Bacigalupe

Hometown: Burke, Virginia, U.S.A

Education: Expected M.A. in Latin American Studies, June 2011, Stanford University

B.A. (with High Distinction) in History & Latin American Studies, Minor in French Language & Literature. May 2008, University of Virginia

Interrnship Placement: Madrid Plataforma del Español

Stephanie Hernandez

Hometown: Vista, California, U.S.A

Education: Expected B.A. in Economics and in Spanish, May 2011, University of California, Berkeley

Internship Placement: CEM Management, S.A.

Rebecca L. Mitchell

Hometown: Watertown, Massachusetts, U.S.A

Education: Expected B.A. in Spanish; Psychology and Sociology, June 2011, University of Massachusetts, Boston

Internship Placement: Fundación IMDEA Agua

Michael A. Monroy

Hometown: Sterling, Virginia, U.S.A

Education: Expected B.A. in Political Science, Minor in International Business, Pre-Law, May 2011, American University

Internship Placement: MAS Consulting Group Asesores de Comunicación

Stephen William Piatelli

Hometown: Sheffield, Massachusetts, U.S.A

Education:  A.B. in Government, Secondary in Spanish Citation, May 2010, Harvard University

Internship Placement: Catenon Worldwide Executive Search

Raúl N. Quiñónez Rodríguez

Hometown: Anasco, Puerto Rico, U.S.A

Education: Expected B.A. in Electrical Engineering, May 2011, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez

Internship Placement: Hábiles Formación y Desarrollo

Krystel Ramos

Hometown: Miami, Florida, U.S.A

Education: Expected J.D in International and Comparative Law, May 2011, University of Florida

M.A. in Accounting, June 2008, Florida International University

B.A. in Accounting; Business Administration and Finance, May 2007, Florida International University

Internship Placement: Fundación para la Investigación sobre el Derecho y la Empresa – FIDE

Betsy O. Ruiz Alvarado

Hometown: Ponce, Puerto Rico, U.S.A

Education: Expected M.A. in Public Health, Minor in Epidemiology, May 2011, Ponce School of Medicine

B.S. in Biology, Minor in Biomedical Sciences and Chemistry, May 2008, University of Puerto Rico, Ponce

Internship Placement: Globesalud

Gabriel Sarosta

Hometown: Plantation, Florida, U.S.A

Education:  B.A. in Political Science, Minor in History and Policy Journalism & Media Studies, June 2010, Duke University

Internship Placement: Perception & Image y Press Tracking

Dolores Wiarco

Hometown: Baldwin Park, California, U.S.A

Education: Expected M.B.A and M.A. in Latin American Studies, June 2012, San Diego State University

B.S in Business Administration, June 2005, California State Polytechnic University

Internship Placement: H. Wilcox & Co, S.A.

About CHLI: The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization, based in Washington, D.C., that advances the diversity of thought in the U.S. Hispanic community in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, as well as in the international community. For more information, please visit www.chli.org. You may also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.