Introduction
Please note you must be currently enrolled in a college or university (or recently graduated) in order to participate in our in-person internship program.
Gain an edge that sets you apart from other graduates in your future career field! An internship in the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona offers hands-on professional experience paired with new cross-cultural communication skills and your proven ability to actively participate in the global workforce. There is no better way to prepare yourself for success from graduation and beyond.
We make every attempt to customize the internship to your major, preferences, experience, and career goals. This means you will be doing hands-on work in your field and developing professional intercultural skills, while boosting your resume as you move towards graduation and beyond. Placements are available with start dates throughout the year in English and Spanish for a wide variety of majors. You can choose from our 12 week option during the Fall & Spring Semester, or 6 or 8 week options during the summer with the opportunity to receive academic credit.
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Why Intern In Barcelona?
- ENGLISH AND SPANISH PLACEMENTS OFFERED: While speakers of both Spanish and English will have even more position possibilities, keep in mind that some organizations in Barcelona offer placements that even prefer English speakers. Many of these companies will give you international communication responsibilities that could utilize either or both languages!
- BUSINESS HUB: Barcelona is a thriving business hub for both startup companies and established international organizations. With professionals from various nationalities and language backgrounds, this cosmopolitan city prides itself on diversity and innovation. Entrepreneurship is highly supported by the government, which allows public and private business organizations of all sizes to flourish.
- QUALITY OF LIFE: Barcelona understands the work/life balance, and while employees work hard, they take time to enjoy a leisurely lunch, hold meetings over a cafe con leche and build business relations through “afterwork” social gatherings. By interning through Barcelona SAE, you will not only gain practical skills in your field but also have the chance to create and grow meaningful international network connections that go beyond the office.
- PRESTIGE WORLDWIDE: Every year, Barcelona draws international conferences, workshops, and professional exhibitions that showcase cutting-edge innovation. Past events have included the Mobile World Congress, the International Food and Drinks Exhibition, and even the Olympic Games.
Itinerary
Students will spend approximately 20 hours per week at their internship placement, although the specific schedule for each intern will vary slightly according to the needs of their company.
Interns will have orientation during their first week to help prepare for the cultural, professional, and logistical differences in Barcelona. Within a few days of arrival, interns will meet their supervisors, accompanied by a Barcelona SAE staff member, to discuss job responsibilities, expectations and set goals.
Placement Examples
Placement 1
Technology startup that has developed an app that tells you the percentage of compatibility with your future housemates and allows you to contact them before arriving in your destination city.
Tasks:
- Develop the strategy to launch the app to the market
- Market study
- Achieve partnerships with companies related to their users and universities.
Placement 2
Luxury niche perfume brand, distributed worldwide. This is a young company created in 2016 and has been growing fast. While this high-end niche perfumery brand is based in Barcelona, it has a French touch and produced in Rimini, Italy. Its founder believes that there is a perfect fragrance for every memory and type of love. The main goal of the company is to eternalize those moments into powerful memories in the form of perfume.
Tasks:
- Support and participate in strategic decisions for the brand
- Cooperate in the conception, development and implementation of upcoming launches: new products, new perfumes, etc.
- Maintain direct contact with distributors and partners to support them and develop Sales &
- Marketing Plans by country
- Follow up with current distributors and review their objectives and results
- Open new markets in various countries
- Conduct Market Research
- Support the office with daily tasks as assigned
Placement 3
Accelerator of technology-based startups specialized in digital projects ready for market launch. The acceleration process consists of a program of up to 6 months of duration that aims to convert startups that participate in successful, proven and invertible projects. Born at the end of 2013, this company selects an average of 10 projects for each acceleration program and offers them a number of services to help them succeed in the market.
Tasks:
- Analyze startups
- Conduct market research
- Contact entrepreneurs
- Assist in business plan creation
- Assist with database entry
Intern For Credit
All in-person interns are required to take our Global Internship Experience Course for 1 credit.
If you would like to receive additional academic credit through our internship school of record, Jacksonville University, there is an additional fee of $600 for 3 credits (6 or 8 weeks) or 6 credits (12 weeks only). Interns must decide if they want to do this at least 2 months (60 days) before the program start date.
Alternatively, many students are able to arrange credit approval through their home institution. Contact your study abroad office, academic advisor, or career services to see if this option is available at your school.
Spanish Language Courses
While Spanish is not required for a professional internship in Barcelona, it provides students with a once in a lifetime opportunity to improve their language skills. To take advantage of this immersive experience, our internship program includes intensive language classes. Catalan classes are also available to interns who are already native speakers or fluent speakers of Spanish.
Outside The Internship
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While the focus of your time in Barcelona is on your professional internship, we want you to round out the experience with networking events, workshops, cultural activities, city tours, interaction with locals, meet ups with mentors, and more. Interns will have at least one day trip outside of Barcelona included in their program, and optional weekend and/or overnight excursions with other students and interns are available at an additional cost.
Be prepared to pack a lot into your time abroad! Your Barcelona experience will extend well beyond the classroom, and we are there to help you get the most out of it! Not only do we plan tons of Barcelona SAE Cultural Activities to keep you exploring the local culture, we send you a Weekly Cultural Agenda full of events so that you know what is happening throughout the city. You’ll also have a Cultural Mentor who will help you to get involved in a club or activity based on your interests.
You’ll also enjoy numerous Barcelona SAE Day Trips and Weekend Excursions (locations depend on term/program) that mix historical tours with modern events, while we try to get you off the beaten path to see Spain through a local lens.
And when you’re not with us? We’ll give you a Barcelona SAE Bucket List with 100 ways to experience the city! Go to a Barça game. Check out the Picasso Museum. Window shop in the Bohemian Gracia District. Discover a new restaurant with your Spanish friends. Why not?! There is no end to what you can do in Barcelona!
Dates & Costs
Summer 2023
All in-person interns will be required to take our Global Internship Experience Course for 1 credit.
If you would like to receive additional academic credit through our internship school of record, Jacksonville University, there is an additional fee of $600 for 3 credits (6 or 8 weeks). 12 week internships are not available during the summer. Interns must decide if they want to do this at least 2 months (60 days) before the program start date.
| ARRIVAL DATE |
DEPARTURE DATE |
DURATION |
COST |
APPLICATION DEADLINE |
| Jun 1, 2023 |
Jul 15, 2023 |
6 Weeks |
$6,690 |
Mar 15, 2023
|
| Jun 1, 2022 |
Jul 28, 2022 |
8 Weeks |
$6,890 |
Mar 15, 2023
|
Fall 2023
All in-person interns will be required to take our Global Internship Experience Course for 1 credit.
If you would like to receive additional academic credit through our internship school of record, Jacksonville University, there is an additional fee of $600 for 6 credits (12 weeks only). Interns must decide if they want to do this at least 2 months (60 days) before the program start date.
| ARRIVAL DATE |
DEPARTURE DATE |
DURATION |
COST |
APPLICATION DEADLINE |
| Sep 4, 2023 |
Dec 1, 2023 |
12 Weeks |
$7,790 |
Jun 1, 2023
|
Spring 2024
All in-person interns will be required to take our Global Internship Experience Course for 1 credit.
If you would like to receive additional academic credit through our internship school of record, Jacksonville University, there is an additional fee of $600 for 6 credits (12 weeks only). Interns must decide if they want to do this at least 2 months (60 days) before the program start date.
The dates listed below for Spring 2024 are tentative and will be confirmed closer to the program start date.
| ARRIVAL DATE |
DEPARTURE DATE |
DURATION |
COST |
APPLICATION DEADLINE |
| Jan 9, 2024 |
Apr 6, 2024 |
12 Weeks |
TBA |
Nov 1, 2023
|
- The program dates posted here are for reference only and are subject to change. Please do not book your flight until you have received the confirmed dates in your acceptance paperwork.
- Most housing will be in double rooms with students of the same gender (biological sex). If your home institution allows it, you can opt to pay a $300/month supplement for a single room (if available on a first-come, first-served basis). Please note that single rooms cannot be guaranteed.
- Please note that costs may fluctuate based on currency exchange.
What's Included
All Barcelona SAE Customized Internships Include:
Countdown to Barcelona:
- Professional Video Interview
- Cover Letter & Resume Coaching
- Personalized Advising
While in Barcelona:
- Customized Internship Placement
- Bienvenid@s a Barcelona – Airport Welcome Service
- Logistical & Cultural Orientations
- Staff Escort to First Day of Internship
- Intensive Spanish Language Courses
- Housing for the Duration of Program (Homestays include Breakfast/Dinner!)
- Comprehensive Medical & Accident Insurance
- 24-Hour Emergency Support
- English-Speaking Staff
Professional, Cultural, & Social Activities:
- The Barcelona SAE Bucket List
- Day Trip(s) Outside of Barcelona – Exact # and Locations Dependent on Term
- Weekly Cultural Agenda (The Local Perspective of What’s Happening Each Week!)
- Weekly Cultural Activities (Cooking Classes, Dance Lessons, Barrio Tours, and MORE!)
- Monthly Professional Agenda
- Working Across Cultures Workshop (Summer Interns)
- Cultural Mentor Program
- Welcome Activity
- Re-Entry Workshop & Farewell Meal
An overnight and/or weekend excursion(s) outside of Barcelona may be available at an additional cost.
For Continued Success After the Program:
- Alumni & Career Services
- Invitation to Barcelona SAE’s LinkedIn Alumni Group
- Opportunity to Apply to be a “Barcelona SAE Campus Ambassador” on Your Home Campus
- Invitations to Study Abroad & Internship Returnee Conferences Throughout the U.S.
The Program Does Not Include:
- Round-Trip Airfare to/from Barcelona
- Visa Costs (If Applicable)
- Mobile Phones & Charges
- Local Transportation
- Personal Items
Housing
Barcelona SAE offers our students a variety of housing options, which means that we have the perfect place in Barcelona for you to call your home away from home. We have carefully selected safe and adequate housing for each student but each living arrangement is different.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Housing in Barcelona is extremely competitive and participants will be placed based on availability. We make every effort to provide you with your preferred form of housing, but due to space limitations we cannot guarantee that you will get your first choice.
- There are no overnight guests allowed in any program housing. Our staff is happy to share a resource page for hotels and hostels for any visiting friends to use.
- Most housing will be in double rooms with students of the same gender (biological sex). You can opt to pay a $300/month supplement for a single room (if available on a first-come, first-served basis). Please note that single rooms cannot be guaranteed.
- If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to note this in your housing form.
WHERE WILL YOU LIVE?
Housing for the program is spread throughout the city of Barcelona. Every neighborhood is easily accessible by public transportation and the city is very walkable. The normal commute in Barcelona is around 45 minutes using public transportation from your housing to your school or internship, it may be a bit more or less than this.
Each neighborhood has a different feel…Les Corts is where the soccer stadium is, Gracia is hipster and bohemian, Eixample has a gay friendly district and incredible architecture, Sagrada Familia has wonderful shopping, Sant Marti & Poblenou are tech powerhouses off the tourist path.
HOMESTAY
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Many students picture homestays as a house in the suburbs, but in fact it will most likely be an apartment in the city with a host family, the same distance to class or your internship as a shared apartment would be. A host family could be a married couple, it may be an older woman living on her own, or it may be a family with children. Most homestays are shared other students on the program, but in your housing preference form you should specify if you prefer to be with other participants or on your own in a homestay.
You should choose a homestay if:
- You want to live like a local. Students in homestays learn a lot about the local culture and lifestyle firsthand.
- You want to improve your Spanish. You will eat breakfast and dinner with your family everyday, so you will have plenty of opportunities to practice your language skills. Students in homestays normally see a much larger language skill improvement at the end of the program. You don’t need to speak any Spanish to begin in a homestay, but you will certainly be using it by the time you leave!
- You want to save money. Homestays provide a daily breakfast and dinner, and will do your laundry for you! This is included in the program, and has been a huge reason many students choose the homestay option.
- You want a home away from home! You will have your own set of keys, and you are free to come and go when you please without a curfew. Many students say the homestay feels “cozy” and report added support network (like someone to make you soup when you’re sick).
Check out this video for a student perspective on being in a homestay!
STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL
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Most locals live with their parents while they go to university, so dormitories are rare, but there are a few set up to house international students or those that come from outside the city. A student residence normally means a double room, unless you indicate you would like a single room and there is one available, and then shared kitchen areas and common areas including study areas with other students.
You should choose this option if:
- You’d like to be around more students. Typically the residence halls are home to American students but also students from around Europe/Spain or from other countries.
- You want a little bit more independence in exploring the city and the culture. We will have cultural activities and excursions for you to participate in, but much of the time you will be on your own to explore.
- You like to do your own grocery shopping and cooking. You will share the kitchen and be responsible for your own food, cooking and cleaning.
- Improving your Spanish is not a main goal of yours. Of course there will still be chances to speak Spanish, but you’ll need to make an additional effort to meet locals and practice.
SHARED APARTMENTS
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This choice places you in a shared apartment in the city with 3-6 other program participants. You will be placed in a double room with another student unless you indicate you would like a single room and there is one available. Apartments are spread throughout the city in residential areas so you can expect a 45 minute commute to class or your internship.
You should choose this option if:
- You’d like to be around students. In the shared apartment you will be sharing the apartment with other participants of the program.
- You want a little bit more independence in exploring the city and the culture. We will have cultural activities and excursions for you to participate in, but a lot of the time you will be on your own to explore.
- You like to do your own grocery shopping and cooking. You will share the kitchen and be responsible for your own food, cooking and cleaning.
- Improving your Spanish is not a main goal of yours. Of course there will still be chances to speak Spanish, but you’ll need to make an additional effort to meet locals and practice.
GENDER-INCLUSIVE HOUSING
In order to further empower and support the growing population of LGBTQIA+ students nationally and to further align our in-country student support services with recognized best practices on over 400 U.S. campuses, Barcelona SAE now proudly offers gender inclusive housing as an option for all accepted program participants for all terms.
If you have further questions about gender-inclusive housing, please contact your Barcelona SAE advisor.
