barcelona night street aerial view
Barcelona, Spain

Summer Global Internship Language Immersion

Study Program Part-Time Internship

Dates

-

8 weeks

Costs

Credit

6 semester hours

9 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Apply Now

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Overview

Spend your summer gaining practical, real-world work experience in Barcelona's startups and other businesses in industries like finance, marketing, communication, technology, tourism, and more. Throughout your internship, you can expect to gain critical soft skills, including communication, networking, time management, conflict resolution, creative thinking, and teamwork. Similarly, you'll immerse yourself in the local business culture, getting an insider's perspective on how the organization you're working for operates. Moreover, you'll study Spanish and enroll in an Advanced Spanish language course to take your language skills to the next level. Throughout your program, your internship will be complemented by academic work and weekly seminars on relevant professional topics, like public speaking and leadership, to round out your experience.

Unique Experiences

INTERN

with a startup, local business, international organization, or NGO.

LIVE WITH A SPANISH FAMILY

and immerse yourself in local culture.

HEAR FROM A VARIETY OF GUEST SPEAKERS

with different areas of expertise.

1.1M

JOBS

143K

MILES OF BIKE LANES

39

FOOD MARKETS

Experience
  • barcelona pretty building
  • barcelona students pose with statues

Your Destination

Barcelona’s location in the Mediterranean, its transport infrastructures, as well as its trading, entrepreneurial, and open economy, have made the city an unbeatable meeting point for international businesses. Add in Barcelona’s culture —rich in the arts, architecture, and history— and you have a compelling backdrop for a challenging internship experience.

CIEE Barcelona is conveniently located in a historical pedestrian passageway in the heart of the city. In it, students will find staff offices, classrooms, and open-air terraces. It is close to the host universities and to the city’s main attractions. 

Learn more about Barcelona and see past internship examples »

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Barcelona.

The Culture

ciee excursion abroad barcelona spain

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES

  • One of our popular day trips takes you to Montserrat, a Benedictine monastery retreat high atop one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in Catalunya. Not only is its history of significant religious importance but the surrounding natural beauty is nothing short of breathtaking. There you can visit the monastery to see La Moreneta (the black Madonna), listen to the world-renowned Boys’ Choir (whose history dates back to the 14th century), and trek any of the numerous mountain trails where you’ll take in incredible countryside views and see the most unusual rock formations in all of Catalonia. Are you ready? Let’s go! 
  • Discover the Gràcia neighborhood, famous for its bohemian and artistic style and streets filled with color and culture. 
  • Visit the oldest preserved garden, reflecting both Neoclassical and Romantic styles – and try your luck in the park’s labyrinth maze! 
  • Eat like a local and try popular traditional dishes like churros, patatas bravas, tortilla de patata, tapas, and pinchos. 
  • See a flamenco show! 
  • Hike the Carretera de les Aigües for amazing views over the city.
barcelona student exhibit exploring

PROJECTS

Internship. A for-credit internship is at the core of this program. Based on your experience, interests, and current studies, you’ll be placed with a startup, local business, international organization, or NGO, where you’ll spend 100-120 hours interning, gaining hands-on professional experience and practicing your Spanish language skills.

Program Blogs

From CIEE

My favorite Spanish cafes, restaurants, and markets

By College Study Abroad Ambassador at CIEE

By: Masani Salazar Being in Barcelona , Spain for the majority of my fall semester has been a great food adventure. This study abroad opportunity has enabled me to taste... keep reading

From CIEE

The Top 10 Best Places to Study Abroad for College Students

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

@cieestudyabroad Top 10 Best Places to Study Abroad for College Students #cieestudyabroad #studyabroad #wheretostudyabroad #studyabroadprograms #howtostudyabroad #collegestudyabroad #collegestudent #greenscreen Caramel Latte - Prod. By Rose Have you ever wondered, "Where... keep reading

From CIEE

A Guide to the Best Eats in Barcelona

By College Study Abroad Ambassador at CIEE

By: Alexa Levy Barcelona , located in the heart of Catalonia, has one of the most delectable food scenes around the world! From tapas hidden in the narrow alleys of... keep reading

Housing
Academics

Academics

This program is designed to help students expand their Spanish vocabulary, immerse themselves linguistically and professionally in a new culture, and gain practical, on-the-job experience. Students take an intensive advanced Spanish course during the first four weeks of the program and intern part-time. During the last four weeks of the program, students focus solely on the internship and complete 100-120 hours of on-site work in total.

While the internship is considered part-time by academic standards, students will feel like a full-time intern during the second half of the program. The internship is complemented by academic work and weekly seminars on topics such as public speaking and leadership. 

Students intern in a local company. Projects have included: helping to improve logistics and customer relations; building finance reports in Excel; analyzing competitors; developing marketing plans; auditing local companies; and more.

The internship selection process accounts for each student’s language ability, job skills, background, and professional attitude. Students’ internship placements will be confirmed in advance of traveling. Because local firms make final selections, internships in a particular company are not guaranteed.

Students complete their internship seminar and placement in Spanish. Students agree to speak only Spanish to encourage language and cultural acquisition.

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

4 semesters of college-level Spanish (or equivalent)

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Requirements

  • One Internship Seminar course, including 100 – 120 internship placement hours
  • One Advanced Spanish language course

Program Credit

Total credit: 6 U.S. semester/9 quarter credits per session

Course Credit

  • CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours  
  • CIEE Internship: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 seminar hours, 100 internship placement hours

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Academic Culture

Class attendance is mandatory, and students are expected to participate, and complete work and exams as scheduled. Students are expected to dress and behave professionally throughout their internship project and are subject to the agreed-upon internship protocols arranged by CIEE and the host organizations.

Class Format

Classes are for CIEE students only.

Classes are small, with up to 15 students per class, and emphasize communication and work in small groups.

Grading

Students are graded based on class participation, class activities, homework assignments, exams, papers, and oral presentations.

Plus completion of 100-120 work hours and an evaluation by the internship sponsor.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Language of Instruction

Spanish

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Internship Opportunities

Gain real-world work experience, grow your professional network, and bolster your resume while interning at developing startups, communication centers, NGOs, and more in Barcelona. Search for a more detailed list of internship opportunities.

Consulting and Investment 
Human resources, market research, and finance.

Accounting and Finance 
Financial services, actuarial science, accounting, consulting, recruiting, and real estate.

Architecture and Sustainability 
Building and design planning.

Communications and Marketing 
Social media, events, advertising, journalism, public relations, and video production.

Education 
Schools, community services, and children’s services.

IT 
Software systems, IT, hardware, and AI.

NGOs 
Environmental advocacy and human rights promotion.

Arts and Design 
Artistic event production, art design, and video production. 

Note: Please keep in mind that securing a spot in any of these opportunities is not automatically guaranteed and depends on availability and the internship host organization's decision. This internship listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The internships, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development.

Courses

Course Information

  • Internship includes a weekly seminar in Spanish
  • Advanced Spanish language class will take place during the first four weeks of the program

Summer 2024

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant
  • CIEE Stem Scholarship

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program Summer 2024 8 weeks Application Due Deadline Passed Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $7,450

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $4,453**

Housing = $2,500

Insurance = $197

Total Fees = $7,450

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $560

International Airfare = $1,250††

Local Transportation = $43†††

Books & Supplies = $50

Personal expenses = $180††††

Total Costs = $2,083

Optional Housing

CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee:

Select Housing Fee = $400^

Select Plus Housing Fee = $800^^

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $260 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††Round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††Local transportation: t-jove (3 months) = 40€ ($43) / Local transportation: 2 t-usual (1 month) = 40€ ($43)

††††Personal expenses: $100 emergency fund and cell phone expense + estimated cost of toiletries

^first-come, first serve, based on availability

^^first-come, first serve, based on availability

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Andrés Tabárez

Center Director

Andrés Tabárez is Center Director at CIEE Barcelona. Andrés holds a Ph.D. in Classical Studies from the University of Barcelona (UB).

José Luis Espinosa

Academic Director

José Luis holds a Ph.D. in Modern Languages and Gender Studies from the University of Salamanca (USAL).

Fernando Janeiro

Senior Program Manager

Nando holds a Master's Degree in Humanities from Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona) and is certified as a Spanish as a Second Language instructor (International House/ Universitat de Barcelona).

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

START AN APPLICATION
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE 
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

3

CONTACT
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info