Introduction
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
Placement Examples
ECONOMICS
Placement 1
Venture capital management company investing in early stage technology start-ups with offices in Barcelona, London, Paris, and Southeast Asia. A fund made up of visionary entrepreneurs who believe in nurturing global thinking founders that challenge the innovation renaissance towards creating a more beautiful tomorrow.
Tasks:
- Startups scouting
- Venture capital research
- Support analyst team
- Update Venture Capital databases and investors
Placement 2
App that allow people to sell things they don’t need and donate proceeds to a cause. We are based in Barcelona, but our focus is currently the UK, with the US and other European countries on the roadmap. We handle all aspects of our business in-house, from marketing through user support and including all development of the app. We’re a startup, with a very experienced management team, funded by outside investors and are moving very quickly!
Tasks:
- Understand legal aspects of the business eg GDPR, KYC, Privacy, VAT, Gift Aid tax etc.
- Assist in development of processing of money raised for charity clients, as well as for the business itself
Intern for Credit
Outside the Internship
Be prepared to pack a lot into your time abroad! Your Barcelona experience will extend well beyond your internship, 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
For a comparison of all of Barcelona SAE’s program dates, costs, and application deadlines, please visit our main Dates and Costs page.
Scholarships & Grants
At Barcelona SAE, we believe that studying and interning abroad should be affordable and accessible to ALL students. In addition to our low program costs, Barcelona SAE works with your home institution to accept most forms of financial aid…and we also have a wide variety of scholarships to help you bring your costs down even further.
Our TODOS Scholarships are focused on removing the barriers that often keep underrepresented groups with high financial need from studying abroad. This group includes, but is not limited to, students with diverse race, ethnicity, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, or veteran status.
And did you know that you can receive an automatic $500 grant towards our Customized Internship Program if your home institution is a Barcelona SAE Affiliate Partner? Ask us how!
We also encourage you to reach out to your financial aid and/or study abroad office to learn about additional scholarship or grant opportunities available from your home institution. You may also want to consider applying for the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship, which offers students up to $5,000 towards education abroad. Please note that you must be a US citizen, already accepted to a study abroad program, and a Pell Grant recipient.
Important Notes
- 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.
- All interns 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.
- Interns can earn 3 credits during a summer internship (8 weeks) and 6 credits during a fall or spring internship (12 weeks). Interns must decide if they want to do this at least 2 months (60 days) before the program start date.
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 Accompaniment (In-person or Virtually) to First Day of Internship
- 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
- 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
- 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
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 an additional student perspective on being in a homestay!
Student Residence Hall
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
This choice places you in a shared apartment in the city with 2-6 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.
