Barcelona, Spain

Summer - Internship

Full-Time Internship
Length:
Summer

At a Glance

Housing:

Apartment, Homestay, Residence Hall

Credits:

3 or 6 per Summer

Primary Spoken Language(s):

English, Spanish

Language Prerequisites:

None; Spanish knowledge preferred for select placements

Visa Required:

Maybe

About the Internship

Our program guarantees an internship placement to help you develop professional skills that will jump-start your career and make you more attractive to employers in today’s competitive job market. Before you depart, we work with you to fine-tune your résumé, perfect your cover letter, and hone your networking and interviewing skills, as well as prepare you for working in a new cultural environment. You’ll be an intern at a local business or organization, where you’ll work for at least 25 hours per week. 

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Personalized Placements

We'll work with you to find a placement in the field of your choice.

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Academic Seminar

Enroll in a required 3-credit internship seminar with other IES interns.

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Spanish-Language Instruction

You have the option to enroll in a 3-credit Spanish language course.

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Field Trips

Travel and experience all that Spanish culture has to offer.

Summer 2025

Program Dates:

May 20 - July 19

Application Deadline:

Estimated Cost:

$
7,560

Internship Program Advisor

Alexis Watson headshot

Alexis Watson

Once you’ve applied for an internship, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From field placements to housing and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare for your internship. Once you’re accepted to your internship, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!

📱 800.995.2300  ✉️ internships@IESabroad.org

About the Destination

Why Barcelona?

With great influence in commerce, education, media, fashion, and the arts, Barcelona has made its mark as a major player in the global market. IES Internships’ unpaid, academic internships have placed Barcelona interns in fields such as IT, journalism, and tourism, while also showing them the sights and sounds of Spain.

Learn More About Barcelona

Get to Know Your New City

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Have Fun in the Sun

Spend time under the sun along Barcelona's sandy beaches.

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Check Out Some Live Music

Barcelona boasts an iconic music scene.

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Appreciate the Art

There’s plenty of art—indoors and out—to inspire you.

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Eat, Drink, and Eat Some More!

Enjoy stews, seafood, jamón, spicy potatoes, and so much more.

The Student Experience

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Housing

  • Apartment
  • Homestay
  • Residence Hall

Apartment

You live with up to 7 other IES Abroad students in a single or double room. The student apartment offers the communal vibes of a residence hall with the comfort of an apartment. Apartments have fully equipped kitchens, Wi-Fi is included, and meals are not included but optional meal plans are available for purchase onsite. Laundry is coin operated, and an additional fee applies to this housing option.

Academics

While your priority may be gaining professional experience, we also know how important it is to build community where you can reflect and learn about the work world with other students. That's why--during your summer semester--we offer placements in a wide range of disciplines, and a supplemental required 3 or 6 credit seminar.  

Before you go, we work with you to fine-tune your résumé, perfect your cover letter, and hone your communication and interview skills as we prepare you for working in a new cultural environment. You’ll be guaranteed a placement at a local business or organization that fits your professional interests.

To supplement the real-life work experience you'll receive during your internship, you will also participate in a required 3 or 6 credit internship seminar. You should work with your current college or university to learn about how this credit will transfer back to your school. 

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Business

student teaching on a summer internship program

Education

health students in santiago

Technology

Three students in front of the European Council in Brussels Belgium

International Relations

Two students sit outside at a table on their college campus working from a laptop.

Marketing

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Charities & Nonprofits

Courses

While working in Barcelona, you’ll also enroll in a required 3- or 6-credit academic internship seminar with other IES interns, where you’ll gain context for your internship placement by examining cultural issues in the workplace. You can enroll in an optional 3-credit Spanish language course, as well. 

Topics covered include understanding workplace culture, improving communication, strengthening work attitude and aptitude, and navigating issues, challenges, and opportunities so you can succeed on the job in Barcelona and when you return home.

NOTE: This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.

IES Abroad Courses

Disciplines (2)

Internship Seminar (3)

Course name Term Language Credits
IN 395 - Internship Seminar on Global Workplace Cultures Summer English 6
IN 395A - Internship Seminar Summer English 3
IN 395B - Internship Seminar Summer Spanish 3
PRO-TIP

Apply for your passport today!

Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.

Learn More
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Field Trips

Even though your adventure starts in Barcelona, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).

NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability. 

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Alella Winery

1 Day ($) Summer

Spain is well‐known for its high-quality wine and on this tour you’ll learn the process to prepare it… or better yet, how it was prepared 2,000 years ago!

Houses and buildings on the coast of Cadaques, Spain. The buildings are all white with a red stucco roof.

Dalí & Cadaqués

1 Day ($) Summer

Known as the source of inspiration for internationally famous painters and artists for decades, explore the town of Cadaqués and enjoy a visit to the Dalí Theatre‐Museum!

multicolored buildings bordering a lake with pink clouds and a blue sky

Girona

1 Day ($) Summer

This hidden gem is surrounded by exceptionally well‐conserved medieval walls which we’ll have a chance to walk through. We'll also visit the city’s Jewish quarter and stop by the Cathedral, boasting the widest gothic nave in the world. 

aerial shot of colorful brick buildings near the beach

Tarragona Study Journey

2 Days Summer

The study journey is organized to foster meeting new people in the Barcelona program and to build a community of learning. This trip is mandatory, and its cost is included in the program fee.

Internship Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your current college or university to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your school's policies, and other factors.

Summer 2025

Tuition
$
5,426
Housing
$
1,999
Insurance
$
135
Total
$
7,560

Use Our Budget Worksheet to Calculate Your Costs

See the Worksheet
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

$7 Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.

Learn More
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About the IES Abroad Center

The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad. 

The IES Abroad Barcelona Center is located in the heart of Barcelona, just off the Plaza Catalunya. Whether you’re taking a stroll by the Arco de Triunfo, or studying at a nearby café, the Center is your study abroad hub. 

 

Orientation

Start at Home
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to meet the IES Abroad Center staff, fellow students, and the city.
Arrive in Barcelona
Orientation continues when you arrive onsite with activities focusing on adjusting to Barcelona. Detailed information about other important topics is also covered.
Professional and Cultural Adjustment Activities
Orientation continues with activities focusing on professional and cultural expectations, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home.
Explore Barcelona
Take a required study journey to a site in Spain. In previous journeys, students have visited Tarragona, where they walked in the footsteps of the Ancient Romans.
Settle In
Orientation continues throughout the semester with field trips allowing you to both further sample elements of Spanish culture and get to know the other students.

Health & Safety

With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.

Support You Can Expect to Receive on Our Programs

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CISI International Health Insurance

In the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional.

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24/7 Emergency Support

Whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city.

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Mandatory Cell Phone Policy

Receive any emergency updates from IES Abroad staff via call or text.

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Location-Specific Information

Health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff.

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TripTracker System

Allowing you to share independent travel plans.

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Crisis Drills

So that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise.

Program Dates

Summer 2025

Program Dates:

May 20 - July 19

Application Deadline:

Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Application Requirements
  • Passport & Visa Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  • 18 years of age
  • In good standing at your home school
  • 2.5 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale (GPAs under 2.5 will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
  • At least sophomore standing prior to application; rising junior status at time of program departure. (Students who have completed one year of undergraduate study may apply and will be considered on a case-by-base basis.)
  • Students must be enrolled in a full-time degree program, or a graduate intending to begin their internship no more than 12 months after their graduation date (solid academic credentials related to studies or experience in desired field of placement required); graduate students enrolled in a full-time degree program may apply and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
  • Non-U.S. citizens must refer to their local consulate to learn about visa requirements and determine eligibility; IES Internships cannot advise on visa regulations for non-U.S. citizens.
  • Non-U.S. citizens attending school outside the U.S.: Native English fluency or IELTS score of 6.0 or above, taken within the last two years.
    • Visit the IELTS website to find a test location near you. IES Abroad reserves the right, in its sole discretion, not to accept students who it believes do not have the necessary English language competency to succeed in an Internship Program, irrespective of the applicant's score on a language proficiency exam.
  • Previous study of the Spanish language is not required. Basic comprehension and conversational ability may be preferred for competitive placements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact a Previous Student

Student Ambassadors

No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.

Contact an Ambassador
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The Student Experience

How will study abroad redefine your world? We can’t wait to find out.

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