by Elisabeth Coon, Student Public Relations Writer
As careers in health, fitness and sports performance continue to grow, Cedarville University senior Cassi Shields is gaining the kind of hands-on experience many students hope for — in another country, another language and a completely new culture.
What began as a desire to combine her passion for exercise science with her goal of learning Spanish led Shields to Valencia, Spain, where she became the first Cedarville exercise science student to complete an international sports science internship.
How Cassi Shields became the first Cedarville exercise science intern in Spain
What started as a simple question quickly became something much bigger. Shields approached Cedarville’s study abroad office to ask whether she could complete her required internship overseas.
With the help of Dr. Andrew Wiseman, director of CU Study Abroad, and an established immersive program in Spain, that question became a reality. In the process, Shields created a path future students may now be able to follow.
“Cassi is the first student we’ve had complete this type of internship in Spain, and she has exceeded every expectation,” Wiseman said. “She has fully embraced the experience and is thriving in a completely immersive environment.”
Exercise science internship in Valencia gives hands-on sports performance experience
In Valencia, Shields spends her days gaining direct experience in the field she hopes to work in. She works with multiple sports teams, including volleyball, soccer, basketball and handball, leading strength and conditioning sessions, designing specialty workouts and helping athletes improve their performance.
She also assists in physical education classes and general fitness programs, gaining experience across a wide range of ages and skill levels.
For Shields, the internship has made the connection between classroom learning and professional practice even clearer. It also reflects the continued growth of the exercise science field, where careers in strength training, rehabilitation and overall wellness are expanding.
“In the classroom, you learn the concepts, but here, I’m applying them every day with real athletes,” Shields said. “It’s pushed me to be creative and adapt to different teams and situations.”
Living and working in Spain helped build language and career skills
But the value of the experience has extended well beyond athletics.
Adjusting to life In Spain has required flexibility and resilience. Shields works primarily in Spanish, lives with a host family and navigates daily life in a completely new environment.
From language differences to working with less equipment than she might find in U.S. facilities, she has learned to think creatively and communicate effectively. Those challenges, which could have felt like obstacles at first, have become some of the most rewarding parts of her time abroad.
“There’s so much more to life than the routine we’re used to,” Shields said. “Being here has changed how I see people, culture and my future.”
First Cedarville internship in Spain could open doors for future exercise science students
Because Shields is the first Cedarville exercise science student to complete this kind of internship in Spain, her experience may have an impact beyond her own career.
Professors and university faculty hope her success will encourage other students to consider international internships as a way to grow professionally and personally.
Study abroad experience gives Cedarville senior a broader view of exercise science
As Shields prepares for graduation, her time in Spain has given her more than professional experience; it has given her a broader perspective on the world and her place in the field of exercise science.
Through this hands-on, cross-cultural experience, she has developed valuable professional and personal skills that will continue to shape her future.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
